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 $4,950

The construction of these One Piece Ivory grips, indicate that they are Colt factory issued grips. They are in PERFECT untouched condition, and would date from the 1873 to early 1880's period. They have that PERFECT and natural color of age, along with the correct striations in the Ivory. There are no chips or any other form of damage, which is quite extraordinary. This pair of grips would be an outstanding addition to any EARLY Single Action.  PRICE $1,675

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.

BLACK POWDER COLT BISLEY REVOLVER & A STAR OF THE EARLY WESTERN CINEMA

COLT BISLEY .44WCF, SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER, "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER"

Serial No. 17648X was manufactured and shipped in 1898, making it a Black Powder Bisley. Bisley revolvers were first introduced in 1895, in limited production, as almost all the Bisley revolvers encountered today are post 1898. This one is a 5-1/2 inch, Roll Die barrel, 44/40. The cylinder has about 75% of the original blue finish, and the barrel about 40%. The frame shows some traces of case color, with the majority a silvered case color, with "ghost" traces of the vibrant colors. The hard rubber grips are in very fine condition, except the very bottom which has a chip missing, no doubt to it's theatrical life. All factory applied markings are clear and distinct, the barrel CFSS is slightly worn. MOST important, on the frame, above the Serial Number appears the letter "S", designating the Stembridge Company. The company started in 1914, and was the LARGEST SUPPLIER of "Cowboy" revolvers to the film industry.

There is no telling who may have held this Bisley, Gary Cooper, John Wayne, Tim McCoy, William S. Hart, Bob Steele etc....I have added a print out on the Stembridge Company, which will go with the sale of this Bisley. PRICE $4,450

All mechanical actions operate perfectly, cocking, locking, indexing, and release to fire. They are crisp and exact with each cocking of the hammer.

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

The SMALLEST production of 1860 Conversion Models is the Type II, as it bridges the gap between the Richards, and the final change, the Richards-Mason conversions. This Model, has the NEW firing arrangement, where the hammer strikes the cartridge directly through the channel cut in the recoil shield. Whereas the Richards did not, but used a spring loaded firing pin system, and a solid recoil shield. However, this was the LAST conversion to use the PERCUSSION era barrel ! The next full Mason-Richards used the solid frame barrel. serial No.19482X is a superb example of the TYPE II, as few were made, and they saw HARD use! This Mason-Richards conversion has about 75-80% of the original nickel plate, with the heaviest concentration being on the frame and cylinder. The barrel has thinned out somewhat to areas of a light gray, well blending patina. The hammer retains it's case hardening colors, and are vibrantly obvious. The Walnut grips retain about 75% of their original varnish. All factory markings: barrel address( New York America), frame patents( 2 line '72), and all Serial Numbers etc..are crisp, defined, clear and legible. The mechanical action is PERFECT, very crisp and deliberate on each cock of the hammer. The cylinder indexes, and locks tight perfectly, and releases with celerity of fire. This is a very , very fine example, of a very scarce and important conversion for Colt. it represents the steady direction toward the metallic cartridge era, with NO resemblance to the percussion era. PRICE $7,150

Entire Cylinder Scene present, and very clear and defined.......................

Hammer strikes the cartridge directly through recoil shield............

75% of original varnish intact......

U.S. NAVY CONVERSION TO .38... AND SO MARKED..............

With the onset of the self contained cartridge era, and the immediate need of cartridge revolvers in the Military, plus the frugality of the Government, it gave birth to the Conversion revolver.  ALL Navy Conversion revolvers were originally '51 Navy/Navy percussion revolvers, RETURNED to the Colt factory, and converted to .38 cartridge. They fall in Serial Range 41,000 to 91,000. This Navy Conversion is Serial No. 8951X, and is absolutely correct in every way, a true and perfect Navy/Navy conversion. The Butt and the Barrel bear all the correct markings, as well as a unique feature! the frame was re-stamped with the two line 1872 patent, over top of the original Colts/Patent, and the U.S., remnants of which can still be seen.

The overall condition for this specimen is SUPERB ! It has 90% of all the original Colt factory Conversion blue finish, and 75% of the case hardening colors remain on the frame. The hammer has 85% or more of the case hardening colors also present. This revolver is also unique, as it is an Iron Back Strap! which is indigenous to the Navy revolvers. The mechanical action is so crisp, and tight it's hard to believe the age of the revolver. Without saying, ALL mechanical aspects of this revolver function perfectly. The cylinder scene, even after rework at Colt, is still present and distinct.

A remarkable example of a Martial ( Navy) Conversion revolver, a scarce and highly sought after example for the Colt Collector, or Martial Collector. PRICE $7,500

Naval Yard Inspector markings on bottom of Barrel..........plus Anchor.

STRONG BLUE AND CASE COLORS REMAIN !!

FACTORY LETTER & KOPEC LETTER

ALL CONDITION ...............

RAC ( Rinaldo A. Carr) Inspector cartouche on grip.

SEB (Stanhope English Blunt) Sub-Inspector cartouche on grip.

This Single Action Army .45, U.S. was one of the revolvers from the last Government Contract. The Factory Letter shows it being delivered in 1890. Serial No. 13398X is in incredibly fine condition. It has overall 98%+ of all the original Colt factory finish in blue, with all the screw heads retaining 99% or more, of their fire blue color. The hammer, and frame have 95%+ of all their case hardening colors. The barrel address and ALL other Colt markings, such as frame patents, Serial Numbers, Military Inspector marks( both wood and metal), are crisp, and very distinct to the eye. ALL Serial numbers are matching, including the cylinder and the grips. The walnut grips are smooth and show virtually no wear, with clear cartouches. ALL mechanical functions are crisp and exact: safety cock, half cock, full cock, and the cylinder rotates and  indexes correctly with each and every pull of the hammer. The trigger releases properly for firing. A more than superb example of a Single Action U.S. 45, as issued to the U.S. Cavalry. It is also significant in the fact it is from the LAST contract. PRICE $27,500

THE FEATHERING ON EACH SIDE OF THE SIGHT IS CLEAR AND PRESENT

COLT RICHARDS CONVERSION, "TRANSITION" RICHARDS-MASON CONVERSION, TYPE II, 1871 -1878, EXTREMELY LIMITED QUANTITY

The first practical conversion of the Colt 1860 Army .44 to cartridge, following the Thuer, was the Richards Conversion. This method had a spring mounted firing pin, in the conversion plate at the rear of the cylinder. However, forward thinking soon took hold, and the idea that the hammer should strike the cartridge primer directly was developed. This was by Mason, and the new conversion was called the Richards-Mason Conversion. HOWEVER, there was a "Transitional Step", where the "old style" percussion barrel was still used, with the new hammer cut conversion cylinder plate. This is known as Type II Richards, or Transition Richards-Mason. Serial No. 18452X is one of these scarce revolvers. The next step used the new solid barrel, as seen on the next evolution, the Open Top of 1872. Overall the this 1860 .44 cartridge revolver has a light gray patina.The original Walnut grips have been "thinned" in the center only, to give a better grip for the original user, who may have had a smaller hand.There are no remnants of the original blue, and case colors on frame, and "barely" some cylinder scene remaining.  

This is no surprise, as this .44 Conversion was one of the "hardest used" frontier revolvers. They were the Colt's on the Big Cattle drives North from South Texas. They ,for the most part, all had hard use lives! Surprisingly, the mechanical action for each and every phase of operation works PERFECTLY! A solid example of a SCARCE TYPE II, Transition .44 Richards/Richards-Mason Conversion. PRICE $3,950

HAMMER STRIKES THE CARTRIDGE THROUGH THE CONVERSION PLATE AT REAR OF CYLINDER, DIRECTLY.

Transition barrel, from Percussion, making it a TYPE II

DISPLAYED ON "CALL" CARD of U.S.X.

ORIGINAL NUMBER & U.S.X.,plus PERFECT New Police .38 Acid Etched Panel on Barrel.

The New Police, "Cop N' Thug" was manufactured in a limited time frame, from 1882 - 1886, in a quantity of NOT more than 4,000 revolvers. Serial No. 1638X has the 4-1/2 inch barrel, with ejector, which is standard to the Model. This Cop N' Thug has about 90% of all it's original factory nickel plate finish. The missing nickel is primarily on the barrel where the property stamping was placed. MOST IMPORTANT, the grips , both of them are PERFECT in condition. The mechanical actions of this revolver are PERFECT in ALL phases of operation. Factory applied markings: barrel address, caliber on frame, Serial Number, etc..are all clear and crisp. This Colt saw SERVICE as a side arm to guard shipments, carried MESSENGERS of United States Express Company. This company operated at the same time as did all the others, the Mid to late 1800's. A UNIQUE and scarce Colt, plus comes with additional background material dating to 2002, and collector provenance. PRICE $ 3,450

BOTH GRIPS! ARE IDENTICAL PERFECT CONDITION

This is a VERY STRONG condition pair of grips. The wording on the banner above the Eagle is quite CLEAR "E Pluribus Unum". ALL the details in the Eagle design are extremely clear and well defined. ALL the checkering on the grip body is sharp and well defined. the Colt Logo is also crisp and clear. There are NO chips, cracks or other damage. Original screw included. PRICE $ 600

COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY, .45 "CLASSIC LOOK"

Serial No. 10261X, has the "Classic Look", with the long barrel, and one piece Walnut grips. All screw heads have perfect slots, showing that this colt received proper care over a 124 year period. The Factory applied markings, and work, such as:

• Frame Patents
• Barrel Address
• Trigger Guard caliber marking
• Serial numbers ( all Matching, including cylinder)
• Hammer checkering

are all, crisp, sharp, and clearly visible. There is a very high percentage of case hardening colors remaining, and clearly visible on the frame, along with some silvering of the case colors. The blue finish has darkened, and turned a somewhat plum patina color, and is a smooth surface throughout. The Walnut grips are very fine, and have a beautiful lustrous patina, with only a minor blemish on the inside left toe of the grip. The mechanical action is perfect in every aspect, with each and every cocking of the revolver. It locks tight, and is perfectly indexed each time. ALL parts are original to the revolver, including the cylinder pin.. A solid example of an early long barrel Black Powder Colt Single Action. PRICE $ 5,875

COLT FACTORY LETTER

Serial No. 15313X, comes with a Colt Factory letter, showing a definite shipping location for "going west".  This Colt Frontier Six Shooter, has the Roll Die caliber designation on the  4-3/4 inch barrel. The overall finish is a smooth metal, with an excellent and pleasing gray/plum patina. There are traces of blue in the hidden and protected areas. The hammer shows faint, but definite case hardening colors, and the trigger shows traces of fire blue. The frame patents, and Colt logo are clear and present, and very legible. This also is the case with the CFSS barrel address, and Company barrel address on top the barrel. All Serial Numbers are matching, and all parts are original to the revolver. The mechanical action is crisp and exact, each and every time the revolver is cocked. It also locks tight, and indexes perfectly. This is a very pleasing example of a Black Powder short barrel .44/40, that went West. PRICE $3,750

COLT MODEL 1877 DA, .41, SIX INCH, IN ORIGINAL FACTORY CARTON, WITH HARTLEY & GRAHAM PRESENTATION SILVER PLAQUES / FACTORY LETTER FOR HARTLEY & GRAHAM 1883

Serial Number 4167X is a RARE and Historic representative of a Life Long Friendship on the Old Frontier. A friendship forged before Wm. F. Cody was the great showman, at the time he was on the lonely frontier doing battle with Cheyenne "Dog Soldiers", and soon to make his reputation in battle. Cody was a "man of his times", into whiskey, and GAMBLING. While stationed at Fort Sedgwick, he was deeply into Horse Racing! In fact, he named his nearly unbeatable horse Tall Bull, in honor of the Cheyenne" Dog Soldier" Chief recently killed in battle. Reub Wood who was the Post Trader, ran "The Book " for Cody, taking and covering all bets on the horse races. In the most famous race, Cody's Tall Bull ran against Powder Face, the horse of Capt. Lute North. Quoting Cody, "Reub Wood bantered me for side bets, and I took them all, until I had put up my last cent on Tall Bull". Thus passed the time at Fort Sedgwick! Observing the PERFECTLY INLAID SILVER plaques, the work of Hartley & Graham ( as witnessed on the inside of the grips, and the installation technique) "From Reub to Col", the other side"Death on Dogs". This term death on dogs, refers to Cheyenne Dog soldiers, the sworn enemy of Cody and Wood. The .41 Thunderer has about 98% of all the original nickel plating, and 99% of all the fire blue on the hammer and trigger reverse. It shows great care and preservation. The MECHANICAL actions of both Single Action firing, and Double Action firing function perfectly!! The checkered hard rubber grips are perfect, and the silver plaques are in perfect order and condition. The original box shows dirt and storage wear on the lid, BUT all parts are there and original. It even contains the original "L" tool and cleaning rod. All Colt applied markings, such as barrel address, frame patents, are clear and present. MOST Important, the acid etched barrel panel is PERFECT. This would have been presented to Cody just after starting his Wild West Show, no doubt good wishes from Reub Wood, and a remembrance from Old Ft. Sedgwick days! This also comes with many pages of historical text, documenting the background, and the Factory Letter. A unique and limited Collector opportunity! PRICE $40,000

In Colt's ever continuing development of Double Action revolvers, which started in 1889, the "New Police" is a significant model. It represents only the 2nd Model introduced in basic pocket size, in the swing -out cylindere series. Standard finishes were blue and nickel; this one is Nickel plated. This "New Police" Serial No. 1155X, also had fire blue screw heads, which made for a deluxe finish. In addition, and VERY UNUSUAL, it is fitted with relief carved Pearl Steer Head grips! I might also add, very high relief, as the nose is quite elevated!

This revolver was an immediate success, as demonstrated by T. R. Roosevelt, as Police Commissioner, ordering this Model to standardize the N.Y.P.D. side arm. This is a very attractive revolver, having about 85% of the original nickel finish, with the wear concentrated above the Pearl grips, where "the shooters" grasp was present. Forward of this area it's actually a 99% finish revolver. There is still fire blue on the trigger, and hammer reverse, plus some on the screw heads. Mechanically, it works perfectly, on all operational phases, single and double action modes. All factory applied markings are present and clear, such as barrel address, and frame Model designation. A unique revolver in a seldom seen, "dressed" fashion with Steer Head grips!  PRICE $875 C&R Please,

Fire blue remains on hammer reverse...and the visible high relief on the Pearl Steer Head...

Some fire blue remains on screw heads..