COLT FACTORY LETTER, SHIPPED 1895, SHERMAN TEXAS, 38/40 Cal. Colt Single Action Army.

Sherman, Texas is a geographically important ship location ! It was just across the Red River from Indian Territory. Needless to say it was the wildest of the wildest. Not every Colt made the crossing, but many did, maybe this one, who knows? Sherman was a BIG freighting town, and had its share of wild men and wild times. The 38/40 caliber was favored by many " shootist's ", a smooth shooting, high impact round, a forerunner of the future magnum round. This Colt, Serial No. 16105X appears as the letter describes, 38/40, blue, hard rubber, 4-3/4 inch. There is only about 10-12% of the original blue present, mostly on the trigger guard and in some flutes. Some "ghost" traces of case color still can be seen on te frame and hammer. The balance of the revolver is a soft medium gray patina, untouched and natural. ALL factory applied markings: barrel address, frame patents, serial numbers and barrel legend are clear and present. ALL parts are original to the Colt. The WORKING ACTIONS are perfect, safety, half cock, full cock, indexing, tight, and releasing to fire. The checkered hard rubber grips are correct for the Colt, showing hand wear, but the checkering is still sharp and present, and the Colt logo is clear. There is no damage on the grips. Coincidentally, one of the most notorious shooters of that area, was  "Little Dickie Raidler". He preferred the Colt SAA in 38/40. A Texas shipped Colt, right into the action of history.

PRICE $ 4,250 HOLD/SOLD

It seems that in the Black Powder Era of Single Action Army revolvers ending December 31st, 1898, the 38WCF ( 38/40) caliber almost ALWAYS appears in a 4-3/4 inch barrel, occasionally a 5-1/2 inch. Seldom to never do you find it in a 7-1/2 inch version. Serial No. 17578X has the 7-1/2 inch barrel, and has the legend of .38 W.C.F. on the left side of the barrel. ALL Serial Numbers are matching, ALL factory applied markings are clear and present: barrel address, frame patents, serial numbers. Mechanically, this Single Action works 100% correctly on ALL of the working actions. Safety, Half-Cock, Full Cock, Indexes, locks tight, and releases smoothly to fire. The finish today shows the once blue and case color hardening as it left the factory. There is about maybe 10% blue: found in the flutes, on protected areas, on the trigger guard edges, and some on the ejector housing. The balance is a soft untouched original gray blue patina.The hammer and frame shows "ghost" traces of case color. ALL parts are original to the revolver and all the screw head slots are crisp and clean. The checkered Hard Rubber grips are still very sharp, with well defined checkering, and the Rampant Colt is well defined.

A very unique and SCARCE ! Single Action, and a Black Powder revolver at the end of an era, but reflective of an earlier times with a 7-1/2 inch barrel.

PRICE $2,950

Within the production of the Model of 1877 there are great scarcities and variations. In the NO ejector category, the 1-1/2 inch barrel, and then the 6 inch barrel loom as great scarcities. So scarce, they are seldom if ever seen by collectors.  This one Serial No. 2277X, with acid etched panel on barrel, is a Factory 6 inch NO ejector !! The condition is as follows: 90-95% of the original nickel plating present on the frame and cylinder, the nickel thinned on the barrel, mostly present down the top center of the barrel. The balance of the surface is a fine light bright gray patina, untouched  making a no contrast blending finish. There is still traces of blue on the hammer reverse, and very bright nitre blue on the trigger reverse. Many of the screw heads still show blue, and have clean crisp slots. The etched barrel panel is worn, but still visible.

The mechanical actions of this 1877 are in correct working order, both on single action and double action modes. The checkered Rosewood grips are stunning, crisp checkering and color, and NO damage or wear.

ALL factory applied markings are clear and present, barrel address, frame patents, serial numbers etc.... This is a fabulous opportunity for Colt collectors and perhaps even specifically to 1877 enthusiasts. A rare and unique offering, seldom seen!

PRICE $ 2,850

Stamped on the barrel, underneath the cylinder pin head, appears P 3. This is a factory assemblers marking indicating a special barrel, a six inch, etched panel no ejector was assembled to this 1877.

Serial No. 2101X is an 1864 year production revolver of the Model of 1861. It comes with its very deluxe Slim Jim with Flap style holster. A holster of high quality as it is lined in calf skin, and has a deluxe keeper for the flap. The Model of 1861 was contemporary with the '51 Navy but a much more elegant and sleek version of a .36 Navy.  Considered by many to be the most elegant of the Colt percussion series. This '61 has about 30% original blue, with the balance having turned a blue/plum patina finish. There are faded outlines and muted trace of case colors on the frame and hammer. About 25% of the silver plate is present on the trigger guard. The balance an untouched and correct mustard patina brass. ALL factory applied markings are clear and present: barrel address, frame patents, serial numbers, cylinder scene. ALL serial numbers are matching, including the wedge. The one piece walnut grips are in exceptionally fine condition, smooth wood,  100% all original varnish, damage free !

Mechanically this '61 operates 100% correctly on ALL the working actions. The same is said of the loading procedure.

This Model has an interesting Civil War history, as the Government bought some directly, some through retailers, and some were individually bought and carried. The background on this 1861 has unique potential. It came out of Missouri, a state torn apart with allegiances. Judging by the holster and belt, it appears more "Bushwhacker" or Southern unit usage. The Colt was used, but saw respectful care, and compared to most a quality storage through 157 years of history.

PRICE $3,550

A definite Southern ( Confederate) style holster, with a Pewter square belt buckle. Brass was a scarce commodity, , so a pass through  holder, no brass button or post flap retainer.

Strong silver remains on the trigger guard.

The cylinder scene is all present, exhibiting slight wear.

COLT 1862 POCKET NAVY .36, 5-1/2 INCH BARREL

One of the least seen, and scarcest models due to limited production, and conversions to cartridge, is the Model of 1862 Pocket Navy of .36 caliber. This Model just so happened to be at the frenzy of converting '62 frame revolvers into cartridge, either .38 CF or .38 RF. This is an ORIGINAL, ALL matching Model of 1862 in the .36 percussion caliber. Serial No. 1042X, has the 5-1/2 inch barrel. Currently this '62 has about 10% of the original blue present, the balance a soft gray patina. However, it has about 60% of all the case colors still visible on the frame, rammer, and hammer. the brass guard is untouched, with a perfect mustard patina. ALL serial numbers are matching, everywhere! ALL factory applied markings are present and clear: barrel address, frame patent, serial numbers and cylinder scene !

The mechanical actions are 100% perfect, in all phases of the working actions. The one piece Walnut grips are smooth, and have only minimal handling marks, and 98% of all the ORIGINAL varnish is present. A scarce revolver to find, and this one is more than satisfactory for the collector of rare Colt percussion revolvers. PRICE $2,850

COLT 1860 .44 ARMY REVOLVER, MARKED on GRIP: K 10 CAV 1 , No 5

HISTORICAL REVOLVER USED BY THE "BUFFALO SOLDIERS" UNIT, 1Oth CAVALRY, Shown Above.

Colt 1860 Army, Serial No. 13979X is from the 1863 production of Colt revolvers, and is FULLY Military marked, with all Inspector Letters, in this case "D" or "DD". Following the Civil War, and the reduction of regular troops Black Units were sent into key Cavalry patrol situations in the West. Many 1860's were sent to Springfield for re-furbishing, and marked with a US on the trigger guard.  This 1860, however, is a completely CORRECT serial Numbered 1860, ALL matching, including the cylinder. This 1860 has perfect mechanical actions, the working actions all function correctly each time. Historically this is a very important revolver, as the 10th CAV saw action in almost ALL the Western Indian Campaigns. High Plains, Apache, all through the west, along with its sister unit the 9th. Why was this still in service, ? well the 1st Model S&W American was a limited purchase of only 1,000 revolvers , and saw poor distribution to main line troops. It wasn't until the Single Action began ( really ) in 1874 and then select units were issued, not enough arms to go around. Therefore the Buffalo Units continued with the tried and proven 1860 .44 Army.

The finish today is a soft gray patina, with traces of blue, and smooth metal. There are even faint traces of case color on frame and hammer. The brass is untouched, with a perfect and correct patina.  The grips speak for themselves, and are 100% authentic and correct. A significant piece of the history of the Cavalry in the West, and the Buffalo Soldiers. PRICE $6,500 Pending

Most of the original cylinder scene is still visible, it shows wear, but visible. The Inspector letters of "D" can also be seen , as well as the frame patent.

The right outside grip without unit marking.

     K 10 CAV No 5..MARKINGS

This Colt 1851 Navy Model, of 1862, Serial No. 12804X, is an extremely scarce variation of the '51 Navy. they exist as an extremely low quantity, maybe 1,000 ? and show some variations in the group. The definitive text on '51 Navy revolvers, "'51 Navies" by Nathan L. Swayze discusses these 4 screw cut for stock models on Pages 60 - 75, and specifically the Serial Range of 128,000 on Page 69. The serial number of this specimen is only numbers from ones photographed in the text. This '51 is ALL serial number matching, , all parts cylinder, etc... It remains in excellent condition. It has about 35% of the original blue, and the balance a untouched plum patina There are distinct remnants of the case colors on the frame, hammer, and rammer. The brass trigger guard is untouched with only miniscule amounts of silver plate present. The original grips are superb ! with about 99% of all the original varnish. Mechanically this '51 functions perfectly on all working actions. The cylinder scene is completely present, a blend of strong and weak, but all there to include the "Engagement" line on the cylinder periphery. Overall this is a very fine example of a very scarce variation within the '51 Navy revolver production. One other small detail worthy of mentioning is , there is a small "2"present above the serial number on the barrel and frame. Some say, was once a pair cased, this is the No.2 Navy. Others will say a very special Colt Inspector mark on this cut for stock variation. ALL factory applied markings are present, : barrel address  (U.S. America), caliber on shoulder, and all serial numbers etc..

This is an excellent opportunity for the collector to add a very scarce '51 Navy to the collection. Comparatively speaking, this is a super fine example. PRICE $5,200

COLT MODEL 1877 DA .38, 3-1/2 INCH BARREL, ETCHED PANEL.

Serial No. 3361X  was shipped to the firm of Liddle & Kaeding, San Francisco, California in 1881. This is the ejector-less model, sometimes referred to as the Sheriffs Model or Storekeeper.

The Model of 1877 was Colt's FIRST successful Double Action revolver. Despite it's delicate mechanism, it was extremely popular. This example has about 90% of all it original nickel plate finish, and all the fire blue on hammer and trigger, just slightly darkened. MOST IMPORTANT: it is 100% mechanically correct in both single and double action modes. The checkered hard rubber grips are in fine condition with little to no wear, very sharp !

This is a very fine example of a DA .38 Model of 1877, with a unique and historically significant shipping address. Comes with Factory Letter. PRICE $2,000

In 1850 Colt rushed to the drawing board to come out with a lighter, more portable, hard hitting belt pistol. What was introduced was the 1851 Navy Revolver, in .36 caliber. The original introduction had the screw below the wedge, and after about 800 revolvers it was relocated to above the wedge. Therefore, 1st square back and 2nd square back. This Model, the 2nd had very limited production numbers also, from about Serial Range 1,250 to 4,200, only about 2,900 specimens. THIS 2nd Model Navy Square Back is Serial No. 153X. The term square back comes from the shape of the trigger guard, following tradition of the previous .44 Dragoons. This 2nd Square Back has survived over 160 years in relatively good shape. There are minute traces of blue on the surface, but a lot of case color hardening ( 35%)remains on the frame and  hammer. There is also some , tarnished of course, silver plate on the trigger guard. The grips have  fine antique luster, and most all the varnish is there, softened but present. The cylinder scene is barely there, but it can be seen, stronger and weaker depending where on the cylinder.

Mechanically this 2nd Navy functions PERFECTLY, on every facet of operation, no problems here ! This is just a VERY SCARCE Colt Model Navy. It is highly sought after by collectors, because with ONLY 2,900 made, and hard use there just aren't many around. All Serial numbers are matching, everywhere ! and ALL factory applied markings are present and clear, such as the New York barrel address etc.. This would be a welcome addition to any collector. PRICE $3,950

The recognizable trademark of the 2nd Model '51 Navy, a.k.a. The Square Back....... in addition you can see quite a bit of case color hardening on the frame, and trcaes of tarnished silver on the guard !

Case colors on the hammer !! and frame.