This is a Colt Single Action Army .45, Serial No. 3166X of 1876. The Inspector is extremely RARE, Lewis Draper who did @ 4,000 Single Actions only ! More interesting, it has a "C" stamped on the frame for Condemned.

Therefore, it was returned to inventory and shipped to Kittredge & Co, Cincinnati,  Ohio in December of 1876. Kittredge was the first true western oriented distributor Colt used, as they began shipping to the West as early as the Civil War, perfectly located to used the water ways quickly. Up the Ohio to the Missouri as far as Fort Benton, Montana Territory by Paddle Wheel steamer. This Colt .45 has ALL the Factory applied markings except one, no US on the frame. ALL other markings are present, and ALL Serial Numbers match, even barrel and cylinder ! The original 7&1/2 inch barrel has been shortened to 4-3/4 inches, done in the day on the Frontier. However done reasonably professional, with a half moon rifle type sight. There is about 15% of the originally blue finish remaining in flutes and other protected areas. Most interesting there is still case colors on the hammer and on the frame in front of the cylinder face. IMPORTANT : ALL the working actions are 100% all the time. The original Walnut grips show use, not abuse, and have a antique luster on the surface.

This is a fine example of a history of a Single Action of the 1870's period. Starting life as a U.S. , BUT not making it ! Inspected by one of the rarest Inspectors, Lewis Draper. Sold Commercially, probably shipping West, being modified to fit the Frontier Owner. Still a solid condition Colt with original finish still present. A REAL example of the West ! Colt Letter.

PRICE $ 3,850

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.

COLT FACTORY LETTER...TEXAS SHIPPED 1895..BLACK POWDER...DALLAS, TEXAS

Colt Single Action Army .45, Serial No. 16237X, was shipped in 1895 to Allen & Glenn, Dallas Texas. This dealer was brand new to Dallas, County, and this Colt would have been one of the very first shipments received. They were located at 264 Elm, in Dallas, and by 1898 were no longer in business. The Colt matches the Factory Letter in all aspects. It has the 5-1/2 inch barrel, and is blue finished. We see today about 20% original blue present, the balance has turned the correct color of plum brown. Some of the case colors have silvered out and there are faint ! traces of case color on the hammer. ALL parts are the original parts, and ALL factory applied markings are clear and present. Most Important: the working action is 100% perfect in all aspects ! The Colt has the checkered hard rubber grips which have no damage and still have the fine checkering and the Rampant Colt logo at the top of grip.

There were only THREE Colts in the shipment. Dallas, despite it's location was a limited shipping destination, and Dallas shipped Colts are seldom encountered in the BLACK POWDER era. Dallas was a " Cowboy" town on the Trinity River.

PRICE $ 4,650 

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

One of the most rewarding facets of Single Action collecting is to find significant ship locations. Colts shipped into Territories is always a satisfying acquisition. This Colt went to a Salt Lake City Hardware store in 1889. Serial No. 12857X shipped as a blue gun with a 4-3/4 inch barrel, Eagle Hard Rubber grips were the standard grip of this period. The MOST interesting portion  of the letter is the fact the Colt is CHAMBERED in .38 Colt caliber. This caliber was not introduced to the Single Action line until 1886, so an EARLY example. Currently most of the blue has left the Colt except in protected areas leaving it a soft, natural, untouched, gray patina. This old warrior was carried many miles, maybe many years in the holster, either on foot or horseback. The end of the barrel, left side, has a wear spot from holster wear ! and matches the holster EXACTLY. The hard rubber Eagle grips have softened hand wear, but still SHARP checkering and Eagle Pattern. A remarkable Colt Single Action: Utah Territory, Utah Marked Holster, and a RARE caliber, .38 for the Single Action and still in the 1880's.

This Colt has 100% correct WORKING actions each and every time called upon, no problems.

PRICE $6,250 SOLD / HOLD

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.