COLT NEW POLICE DA .32

"BLACK POWDER" SERIAL No.152x, A Teddy Roosevelt, New York Police Revolver 1895....

When '" Teddy" Roosevelt  took the job as new York Police Commissioner in 1895, he was appalled at the side arms being carried by the Patrol Officers. They ranged from percussion to, even then antique revolvers.  He was impressed with the New Police revolver from Colt, and ordered almost 4,600 for the NYPD force. This is one of them, and is correctly identified by the script engraved back strap, by Cuno Helfricht. New York Police.

The number 84 would have been the badge number of the NY Police Officer carrying this New Police.

These New Police revolvers are hardly to ever encountered. This one has about 99% of all its original blue, with some plum coloring beginning to show mixed in with the blue. The checkered hard rubber grips are perfect, and show little to no hand wear, and sharp checkering. The mechanical actions, either DA or single action mode, ALL function PERFECTLY ! It locks tight, and is a perfect mechanical specimen. The screw heads still have their fire blue. ALL factory markings, are present and extremely sharp. Including the Unique side plate marking of Colts New Police in a circle. A VERY historic Colt, both it's meaning to Colt production, and it's significance to Teddy Roosevelt, and New York history.

PRICE $1,650 SALES HOLD

The number 2269, was the Inventory Number in the purchase listing of the NYPD.

RARE & SCARCE 1-1/2 Inch BARREL !

This Model, introduced in  1871, just happens to be Colt's first cartridge revolver ! It had a limited production of only 9,952, and only 7,500 were 4 shot models, ( the other difference was the House Model, same frame but with round cylinder) and of that FEW had the 1-1/2 inch barrel, the 90%+ majority had the 3 inch barrel. The only model variation any scarcer was this same barrel length of 1-1/2 inch , but an octagonal barrel. So, we are talking VERY small numbers here! This Cloverleaf, Serial No. 709X was made in 1874. The brass framer has an UNTOUCHED "mustard" patina, totally original. The barrel and cylinder show small amounts of remaining blue in the creases . ALL factory applied markings are clear and present, including just the word COLT on the left side of the barrel. The Walnut grips are damage free, and have a fine luster and all the original varnish. Mechanically it functions 100% correctly, on ALL phases of working operation. ALL parts are original to the Cloverleaf.

PRICE $ 4,250

SIGNIFICANT, .36cal, '51 COLT NAVY REVOLVER

This Colt Model 1851 Navy, 4th Model, Serial No. 11893X, has a very interesting story. Shipped in 1862 to B. Kittridge & Co., Cincinnati, it was "glamorized" for sale to Union, and oh yes!, Confederate Officers. This Navy was Silver Washed, and had the Deluxe Burl Walnut grips. The screws were lightly blued, to create a very attractive revolver. Kittridge was a real "marketing" force for Colt. Remember the names " Lightning" , "Thunderer" and "Rainmaker" were coined by Kittridge. Plus other names for other models, like the Big Colt on the .41 New Line. Along with the Factory letter comes a hand written letter from a *noted dealer, who has seen many Kittridge innovations, such as silver washing, and details this in the letter. This "glamorizing" of the Navy made it more appealing to the Officer Class of Civil War participants. This location served as the Western "supply" store, for the Trans- Mississippi Army, and perhaps down into Missouri and "Reb" hands. Today, only about 20% of the Silver wash remains, the balance is a soft gray patina. ALL Serial numbers are matching, and ALL parts are ORIGINAL to this Navy. ALL factory applied markings are clear and present. The working action is SUPERB and functions PERFECTLY all the time!!

The cylinder scene is strong, present and complete.

This is a very unique Colt 1851 Navy revolver, with a very significant history, and most probable Civil War history, generated by Kittridge & Co, Cincinnati, Ohio. PRICE $3,850

The Silver wash still is intact on some of the surfaces, as seen here on the frame, recoil shield, and hammer.

You can see the DELUXE Burl Walnut wood used for the grips.

COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY, .41, 4-3/4 inch, St. Louis Shipped.

Serial No. 14977X, is a fine old example of a Black Powder  Colt Single Action from the year 1893. The once blue Colt has about 10% of the original blue remaining, and about 5% of the case hardening colors are still visible. The balance is a soft antique patina. Mechanically, this Colt functions perfectly on every phase of cocking, locking, and firing. All serial numbers are matching, and all parts are original to the Colt. the checkered hard rubber grips shown hand use, but the checkering is still present and clear. The interesting part of this Colt is it's location background. This Colt along with two other different maker single action revolvers was purchased in the Choctaw Nation, Durant Oklahoma. It was a Choctaw Indian reservation discovery piece.

This Colt has an interesting historical background, and an association with the old Indian Territory days.  PRICE $3,850

The work horse of the Old West, and extremely popular with the "Shootist" element, especially in the short barrel length of 4-3/4 of an inch. Serial No. 13484X has a pleasing appearance, with traces of blue found in the flutes and on the right side of the barrel, and on top of the ejector housing. There are visible case colors on the hammer, and "ghost" traces of case color on the frame. The working action is PERFECT, on each and every pulling to the rear of the hammer. Action: cocks, half cocks, indexes, locks tight, releases to fire, and has celerity of fire. ALL Serial Numbers are matching, All Factory Applied markings are very clear and present. The checkered hard rubber grips show minimal wear, and crisp checkering is still present.

Today it is ever increasingly more DIFFICULT to find pre 1899 Black Powder Colt Single Action Army revolvers, while post 1899 are way more plentiful. This Colt is probably deserving of a Factory Letter, and is a solid example of a Single Action Black Powder Colt .45 Revolver. PRICE $3,850

Strong traces of blue on trigger, and upper trigger guard......

Serial No. 12831X is a fine example of a Western carried Colt. The nickel plate missing is from Holster wear, and as you can see the "inside" holster wear on the left hand side of the CFSS is the most prevalent. It does have about 65% of all the Colt factory original bright nickel finish, the balance a gray/brown patina. The Colt has a very pleasant appearance. The mechanics of the CFSS are PERFECT: safety, half cock, full cock, indexing, locking tight, and a smooth release to fire. It has the 5-1/2 inch factory barrel, and has the great western appearance with a pair of period carved Pearl grips, with the ever popular Steer Head Long Horn pattern.

There is even strong presence of fire blue remaining on several screw heads. This is just a real 44/40, and a representative Frontier used Colt Single Action.

PRICE $4,995

All factory applied markings are present and clear, including the CFSS barrel marking.

Grips, back strap, frame, hammer are all Colt parts!

This revolver is a mystery as to it's existence. The rear half of the revolver is all Colt parts. It has been examined, and re-examined by many authorities, and it is the opinion that all those parts were manufactured by Colt, and are 1st Dragoon parts. The barrel, is virtually indistinguishable from  a Colt Walker barrel, the difference being the rifling of the barrel. It is more of an 1851 Navy style rifling, with more twist than a Walker barrel.

The frame still shows some remnants of case coloring, and the barrel traces of blue.

This Percussion .44 revolver is the product of Colt Dragoon parts, and a outside of Factory Walker barrel, that is expertly made. The entire package is "OLD" this is NOT a Italian copy, and NOT a modern re-pro. It is an old revolver from the mid 19th century. The reason for the marriage of the two models we will never know, or why? It has the "heft" of the Walker, and it was actually used "during the day"

PRICE NFS                                                           

Original Lead fill hole for the V-Spring

This revolver has no maker identification, and is not marked in any way. It is in every way, a large Dragoon/Walker pistol from the mid 19th century, and the product of an incredibly capable maker. Lunchbox parts? Left over parts, either way, a solid specimen. So, if you always wanted a "Walker" and the price left you in the cold, this is a close representation, and a 19th century revolver, and who knows, maybe more Colt than we think!

........IMPORTANT NEWS..........

AFTER EXAMINATION AT THE RECENT LAS VEGAS ANTIQUE ARMS SHOW, (JANUARY 2013) BY A TEAM OF ONGOING RESEARCHERS INTO THE WALKER COLT, IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THIS IS A COLT FACTORY BENCH, "PROTOTYPE" FOR THE 1ST MODEL COLT DRAGOON. EXHIBITING 1ST DRAGOON PARTS, MIXED WITH WALKER PARTS. THE RESEARCH TEAM HAS UNCOVERED STARTLING INFORMATION ABOUT WALKERS, AND WHEN THEY ACTUALLY WERE FIRST MADE, PREDATING 1847! THE HISTORY OF THE WALKER, A.K.A. "OLD MODEL ARMY REVOLVER".

COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER, CHAMBERED IN CALIBER 44/40

The most desirable of all the Frontier Six Shooters are the revolvers having the delicate acid etched caliber panel on the left hand side of the barrel. This CFSS, Serial No. 12193X, has the etched panel.

As seen above the panel is very faint, BUT present, which is wonderful, because most panels disappeared from use very quickly.

This 7-1/2 inch example saw probably a fair amount of use, not abuse mind you, just normal use. There is about 45% of the original nickel plate remaining, some bright, some slightly frosty. The balance is a gray patina, with a slight plum tint in places. the Walnut grips have about 75% of their original varnish, and show normal use for a Colt of this age. The screw heads still show strong tints of fire blue!, as does the trigger. The cylinder has a remarkable amount of nickel left.

The mechanical action is SUPERB ! All phases of operating are crisp and exact. ALL factory applied markings are present: barrel address, frame patents, serial numbers. This is just a very good example of a CFSS, that was used, but still has an excellent visual appearance, and high collectable status.  PRICE $4,650

COLT 1849 POCKET MODEL, with IRON BACK STRAP & TRIGGER GUARD  mfg'd 1859

The Pocket Model by Colt held somewhat of a production record, being produced from 1850 to 1873, non interrupted. During this period approximately 340,000 were manufactured. Within this there are many variations. One of the SCARCEST is New York City barrel address, with IRON back strap and trigger guard.  It is theorized, that with the closing of the London operation, all parts in the Hartford warehouse were used. Therefore Iron back straps and trigger guards were assembled with the standard New York City barrel address, and shipped domestically!

There is still a large amount of Silver Plating remaining on the Trigger Guard, and upper and lower quadrants of the Back Strap. The percentage of Iron Back Strap '49 Pockets is infinitesimally small ! The barrel and cylinder have turned a dark blue with lighter original blue tones, mixed with a correct plum patina, and have strong and clear factory markings. The cylinder has a very good scene remaining:

Serial No. 15344X has some case color remaining , and ALL factory applied roll dies are clear and crisp. All Serial Numbers are matching, and screw heads are fine with clean slots. Speaking of crisp, this 4 inch barrel '49 pocket, still has an EXACT and PRECISE working action, with each cocking of the hammer. This is a very strong and pleasant example of a VERY scarce variation in '49 Pockets. PRICE $2,850

There are still strong areas of case hardening color on both sides of the frame.

CARTOUCHE ON LEFT GRIP "DAL" FOR DAVID A. LYLE, PLUS 1877 DATE.

CARTOUCHE ON RIGHT GRIP "JTC" FOR JOHN T. CLEVELAND.

These grips are authentic, period grips. The show normal hand wear for their age, but have no chips missing, or damage!. A pair of grips like these are nearly IMPOSSIBLE to find, and if you need them, this is a great opportunity. It is exceptionally rare to find U.S. grips as a single item ! PRICE $975