This CFSS has all the indications and appearance of a Colt Single Action from the Texas Frontier. Serial No. 8309X , came out of Texas Cattle country, west of Houston and east of Austin in 1882. It began as a 7-1/2 inch barrel, and was adapted to fit the user to a 5-1/2 inch barrel. The work was done well, including a crowning of the barrel, and a new front sight, neatly and well done. A sight profile of factory appearance , only slightly smaller. ALL other parts are original to the CFSS, even the cylinder pin with hole in the end. ALL factory applied markings: barrel address, frame patents, caliber etc... are visible, even a petite 44 on bottom of barrel. The working actions function totally correctly: safety, half cock, full cock, cylinder rotates and indexes correctly, locks tight and it releases to fire properly. No mechanical problems.

There is still nickel plating on the frame near all the screw heads. About 5-7% overall the CFSS. the CFSS has its original 1 Piece Walnut grips, and they remain in excellent condition and color: except for a decorative addition for Texas.

A real Cowboy CFSS 44/40 from 1882 from the Lone Star State of Texas. One that I am sure has a story.

PRICE $3,450

The original factory finish was nickel plate, and some can still be seen in the sight groove on top of the frame. Plus it is present in various other locations, scattered through out the revolver...barrel, frame etc....

Worth noting: there are 7 notches under the trigger guard along side the trigger. Four on one side, three on the other. What do they mean, that's a matter of imagination !

When seen in a horizontal position it appears to be just a Star, BUT when viewed in a holstered position while being carried, it is clearly the Lone Star of Texas.

This is a very unique CFSS, as it exemplifies detail changes in Colt Single Actions and unique Factory Grips. Serial No. 12420X comes in a Transitional period of Colt appearance changes , specifically caliber markings. To this point the Acid Etched Panel of Colt Frontier Six Shooter appeared on the left side of the barrel.  Beginning here, the use of the etched panel became sporadic, appearing on some and not on some. The Roll Die barrel designation was being phased in, in fact in this period there were some that had no markings at all ! This very well may be one of the earliest Roll Die barrels! This interesting information can be found in Colt Compendium, Page 10, by Keith Cochran. In looking at the grips, you will note they are 2 Piece Walnut ! You might say, well there not Colt, but they are, in both pattern and fit. To make a point, I have had several SAA's with grips just like this, and when Factory Lettered, they were just like this, and in fact shipped to HS&B/Chicago.  I believe the One Piece Walnuts were being phased out ( except for Military) and the two piece Hard Rubber were in vogue for all others. Two options exist: a. they are Factory and appear so in all manner b. they are Colt Distributor and special request.

This was a nickel finish Colt from the Factory, but only about7% remains today. That can be found on the left hand side of the frame on recoil shield, some on barrel and around actual trigger guard. The balance is an original light gray patina, no harsh contrast. The original working action is perfect : all the hammer stops, cylinder rotates and locks on all notches, and release to fire correctly...NO problems with the action 100%. This Colt CFSS just has a very attractive appearance and charisma , all original.

PRICE $4,100

COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER in 32WCF ( 32/20) COLT FACTORY LETTER, J. F. SCHMELZER, KANSAS CITY.          BLACK POWDER SAA

This Single Action is in the Colt Letter, as it appears here, 4-3/4 inch barrel, 32/20, blue, shipped March 3rd of 1894 to J. F. Schmelzer & Son, Kansas City. Serial No. 15502X is actually a somewhat scarce revolver, as Colt only produced a little over 29,000 32/20 Single Actions. Most of which were in the "smokeless" era, so a Black Powder 32/20 is some what scarce. It is very interesting to note, this was a 1 only in the shipment to Schmelzer. This was finished at the Colt Factory in Blue and Case Colored frame. Now, there is about 10% original blue present in the cylinder flutes and scattered traces. The case color frame has darkened as has the hammer.

IMPORTANT: The working action is 100% correct, all notches, and locks tight , each time the hammer is cocked. ALL factory applied markings are clear and present. The balance of the finish is a dark gray patina, with the 10% blue. The grips are right there in the transitional range from Eagle to All checkered, and they fit the Colt perfectly and exhibit wear in harmony with the Colt. Undoubtedly the original Grips, with excellent checkering present and fine Colt Logo.

I would say this Colt saw use on the plains , as Cattle was a big business in Kansas, and many of the big end of drive locations ended in Kansas. Even the KC stockyards were a lively place! 32/20 was a caliber that attained some popularity with the Cowboy clientele, after all, Emmet Dalton carried a 32/20  and he was into the thick of things robbing banks and stagecoaches!

PRICE $3,800

The original holster accompanies the Colt, showing strong wear from use, although an ornate holster with carved body. It fits this 32/20 like a glove.

This is a very unique Holster. As it exhibits the early Slim Jim style Holster, folded over into a wide Skirt and under two loops ! Very much a transitional holster from Slim Jims to the Over the Cartridge Belt Loop Holster. It remains in very good condition, with no damage or broken stitching.  It is a dark brown color , and not brittle.

PRICE $750

This is without doubt a survivor and participant of the Indian Wars of the Great Plains, @ 1869-1874. During the Civil War, all the energy, arms and equipment went to the great Army fighting back East. While on the Western Frontier troops were depleted and in fact some Forts closed, even abandoned, troops going East. The Indians took great advantage of this, with no real opposition raids and battles escalated, most ending favorably for the Plains tribes. At the end of the Civil War, another factor took place, the ex-Slaves who enlisted in the Army reviewed the situation and many, many stayed in the Army. It provided a living and money for families, not to mention a supply of food and clothing. These two units became the 9th and 10th Cavalry units. The problem out west from 1861-1865 was weaponry, there was an assortment of hand guns in service, all of questionable condition and power. the Ordnance Department immediately took action, gathered up many used 1860 revolvers and sent them to Springfield Arsenal for refurbishing. Like the Artillery Model which followed some 30 years later, serial number integrity was ceased in favor of speed. Sometimes referred to as "Mixed Number" 1860's they ALL had a large deeply stamped US on the front of the trigger guard below a serial number. They immediately went west and were issued, and the Indian Wars campaign began ! Historical Footnote: In the 2009 Issue of Gun Report and article appeared about these unique 1860 revolvers. In 1934 one was found in the Yellowstone area. This was the area where the 7th Cavalry, and Custer were assigned to guard the Railroad Survey party. This took place in late 1872, early 1873. So, even a few went to the 7th, as issued or perhaps an Indian recovery and use. Serial Numbers range from 100904 on Frame, 85257 on Trigger Guard, portions of 136 ( maybe 121136) on barrel and maybe 7105 on cylinder. The entire barrel address is correct and present. The mechanics are PERFECT on ALL working action. For this 1860 and it's history this is a very good condition example ! Some blue present but mostly a soft gray/blue patina with some plum traces. The brass is all original, aged patina ! The grips are surprisingly fine condition with NO damage, just handling use. This is a FABULOUS piece of Western History of the Indian Plains wars following the Civil War, and into the early 1870's PRIOR to the Colt SAA !

No question, this 1860 was a participant in the westward struggle, and is a rare collectors item.

PRICE $4,100

Besides the mixed serial numbers of the 1860, the refurbishing ( new finish) most to all cylinder scene disappeared, frame patents disappeared or were very thin. FUNCTION was the purpose of the 1860 .44, new finish and get it West !

The cylinder has portions of a Serial Number present, but the Colt Factory Patent markings on the cylinder can still be seen.

44/40, COLT FACTORY LETTER....

This is one of the most difficult Colt Single Actions ( Not Flat Tops) to find. Flayderman had this to say "black powder models are scarce and tend to bring 20% more premium, higher if excellent condition". This Bisley Colt Serial No. 16605X has about45-50% original blue on the barrel and cylinder.

 However, darkened to a darker blue. The balance is a brownish color case color on the frame, showing the case color patterns, only now brown. Screw heads are clean and NON buggered. ALL factory applied markings: barrel address, frame patents, rampant Colt, knurling on hammer and most important Bisley Model and Colt Frontier Six Shooter on left side of barrel.

The working action is PERFECT, cocking, locking indexing etc.. NO problems ! It has the factory checkered hard rubber grips. The right grips is 100% correct, but the left grips, for reasons known to no one, has two small holes drilled into the grip ?

This Bisley has a "magical " Colt Letter" , shipped in March of 1898 to Colt's Agency, San Francisco, CA !!

PRICE $3,999

This Colt New Line .22 is early in production, as it has the short fluted cylinder, and external bolt notches. The ones after 16,000 have the long fluted cylinder and no exposed bolt stop notches. Serial No. 908X would have been manufactured in 1874 and was Factory Engraved. It has the 2-1/4 inch flat side barrel with the acid etched panel on the left side of barrel, Colt New 22. Approximately it has about 97% of the original factory nickel finish, the only loss being at the face of the cylinder caused by firing. ALL factory applied markings: barrel address, caliber marking on frame and serial number is very clear and present. The New Line is further enhanced by original factory Ivory grips, numbered to the revolver. The grips have NO damage and a perfect antique Ivory patina.

The barrel flat has a 100% acid etched panel, COLT NEW 22.

All the factory engraving is clear present and easily seen, still very sharp and present. The working action is fine except the bolt stop spring is weak, otherwise it cocks, indexes and locks tight for firing.

These New Lines saw hard use and in 1877 Colt discontinued the .22 due to stiff competition. Therefore this .22 Factory Engraved New Line is in miraculous condition being 147 years of age !

PRICE $1,850

This is an extremely fine example of art, iron and leather, a la Old Mexico. The revolver is Model of 1877, from the production year of 1896,in the heavier caliber of .41 Colt. Also it has the much scarcer barrel length of FIVE inches. **This 1877 remains in 100% correct working condition, double and single action modes. You might say, this is a Mexican style "Tiffany" grip, as it completely wraps around the factory grip. It is very delicate work with a decorative edge that flawlessly meets the metal surfaces of the revolver. It is 100% silver, and gold washed lettering and symbols of Mexico.

You see the Mexican Eagle & Snake on the Cactus at the top of he grip, and in Gold washed letters, in a stylized manner, the word RECUERDO toward the bottom of the grip. The silver work is of the highest quality. A fine decorative rope pattern around all the edges, the grips around the screw is engraved with the Mexican sunburst pattern, similar to the RM marked Colts.

The leather slim Jim holster & cartridge belt, embroidered pattern, are in perfect condition, with no cracks etc... and very supple. Extremely well preserved after more than 124 years.  Overall the Thunderer has about 45% of the factory blue finish, mostly in the flutes and atop the barrel and ejector housing. There is more blue present, but has darkened and is mixed with a soft plum patina. ALL the brilliant fire blue is present on the hammer reverse and on the trigger reverse. The case coloring on the frame has darkened, but you can see the ghost outlines of case colors. ALL factory applied markings are present ! and vividly clear. ALL serial numbers are matching,10246X. ALL screw heads are fresh, most with bright blue, and clean slots. ALL parts are the original factory parts of 1896 to this Model of 1877.

PRICE $2,750

NOTE: The original back strap has NOT been altered, rather the silver grips is cast around the factory grip.

Meticulous detail is shown, as the body of the holster is embroidered to the shape of the closing flap, appearing closed, even when open !

In Spanish this word Recuerdo has about 10 meanings, depending on it's method of usage.

Most probable would be: memory, keepsake or reminder, or many other implied meanings, known to the original owner !! in Old Mexico!

LISTED IN DON WILKERSON'S BOOK on 1878'S , AS ONLY 65 EVER MANUFACTURED !

COLT MODEL 1878 DA, in32/20 CALIBER with 5-1/2 INCH BARREL...

This Model 1878 is among the rarities of big frame Colts, as it is a 32/20 caliber, and with a 5-1/2 inch barrel. As stated above, in Wilkerson's Book on '78's only 65 were ever manufactured in this configuration and caliber. I have not seen the other 64 and never will, but I will say, this is PROBABLY the top 1 or 2 in condition. It has about 95-96% of the original bright factory nickel plate finish, and almost ALL the fire blue on the hammer, trigger and screw heads. A very attractive contrast of colors.

ALL factory applied markings are present, barrel address, caliber, serial numbers etc.... Serial No. 4845X has a PERFECT working action, both on Single Action, and Double Action modes.

PRICE $ 3,250

PERFECT CONDITION CHECKERED HARD RUBBER GRIPS WITH LOGO.