BROWNING BRO'S. , OGDEN, UTAH / COLT FACTORY LETTER

The Territory of Utah represents one of the most difficult territorial shipped Colt Single Action Army Revolvers. This one, Serial No. 14357X , in .41 caliber. lists on the letter as you see it. 4-3/4 inch barrel, .41, Blue, Eagle Hard Rubber grips. It shipped for Ogden on October 29, 1891. Currently the finish shows it was once blue, with small traces, like around the barrel at the frame juncture. Otherwise it is a untouched, uriginal medium to darker gray patina. ALL Factory applied markings are present: barrel caliber, frame patents, ALL matching Serial Numbers, and two line barrel address. ALL parts are original to the revolver as it left Hartford.  The hard rubber Eagle grips show they were made from gutta-percha, as they have signs of the tell tale brownish color. This happened when gutta-percha was exposed to the sun, over along period.

The frame shows some signs in various areas of faded case colors, and some ouline "puddling" where color was, but either gray or darker color.

The trigger guard  is a lighter gray patina, and the back strap is the darker gray patina. The Colt shows continual holster carry use, with unmistakable wear  on some wedge. HOWEVER, the working mechanical actions, ALL of them, work 100% correctly !!

This Single Action is particularly desirable as it shipped to a LEGEND and legendary shop, Browning Brothers. Moses Browning, himself. would have been there, along with his son. A very collectable and SCARCE Single Action.

PRICE $ 4,500

In the field of collecting Colt Single Action Army revolvers, the United States Cavalry Issued revolvers hold a special place. They appeal to collectors of the Old West and Military collectors. Within that category there are very special groups based on year, volume produced and especially the Military Inspector. The desirability of Inspectors is based on time and quantity! Henry Nettleton is a scarce Inspector, based on the small number he inspected. In the neighborhood of around 4,000. He had two periods which were interrupted with illness, so a rare and desired addition to a collection. Beyond that there were characteristics ONLY found in the Nettleton series. The Barrel address had NO dashes before and after the company address. Also, the address die was broken so there is NO complete cross bar on top of the T in patent, plus there were TWO dashes under the O in company. Personal uniqueness were the HN markings in more places than any other inspector, EVEN on the Hammer. They were everywhere, barrel, cylinder, trigger guard, frame, back strap. and hammer. Plus the right hand grip. This was present for only a short period, July - September 1878.

This Henry Nettleton, Serial No. 5056X was shipped and delivered to the Government on September 18, 1878. in a quantity of 150. The revolvers were blued and had case colored frames, with a 7-1/2 inch barrel. Right now ! the barrel is still 7-1/2 inches, however the blue has aged into a patina over the last 146 years. There is original blue in some of the flutes, but the overall surface is a pleasing medium gray patina. There is some "puddling" showing ghost traces of case color.  The surface is smooth NO pitting, and ALL factory and Inspector markings are present an very clear ! . The working action is 100% correct, and even the shows the stronger main spring used in U.S. issued Single Actions.

The Henry Nettleton cartouche shows wear and it is not very pronounced.

In the world of 100% ORIGINAL Henry Nettleton U.S. revolvers this is really a very fine specimen and ALL correct.

The U.S. is clearly seen on frame, plus correct patents date.

The Greer Inspector cartouche is still clear and present on the left grip as is the 1878 date.

Even though the revolver is an original untouched natural patina you can see hidden original blue tones.

PRICE $ 8,000 SOLD / HOLD

This Colt, Serial No. 12638X is a Black Powder Colt, and chambered  (according to letter) in .32 Rifle Cartridge, which is 32WCF a.k.a. 32/20.  Unusual for EARLY or any Black Powder Single Action. Letter states 4-3/4. Blue, Rubber, and here is what is intriguing:

Shipped to R. STANHOPE, PARIS TEXAS August 8, 1888, ONE in shipment !

As of this writing, R. Stanhope was  known to be a Colt Distributor in Paris, Texas. Researching exposes some western history. This Colt was shipped to Stanhope just prior to the Johnson Co. War, and maybe went with Texans who went north to the Johnson Co. Cattle Wars in Wyoming. Stanhope was known to have supplied many participants with their weapons. Being a one of one shipment is intriguing.

Overall the original blue finish is about 45% present, the balance is a blending blue gray patina.  It has traces of frame case color on frame and hammer. The Eagle Pattern hard rubber grips show normal hand wear and are in excellent condition with no damage.

The working action is as it left the factory, crisp and 100% correct: notches, cylinder rotation, locking tight etc... This is a scarce/ rare Single Action as it shipped, BUT has potential for real significant history.

PRICE $5,250

Serial No. 9915X is relatively early in the nickel plating process for Colt and best of all, the Factory Letter states Nickel Plated. This Colt shipped on April 11, 1884 to Hartley & Graham in NY, in a shipment of 50. Quoting a Colt document, " finding a fine early era nickel revolver is a rare find". This specimen has about 45-50% original nickel finish, some scattered throughout with the heaviest concentration on the frame, hammer and cylinder. ALL factory applied markings are clear and present: barrel address, frame patents, serial numbers (ALL matching) and caliber on trigger guard shoulder. Perhaps most important the Colt is 100% mechanically correct, ALL the working actions function 100% correctly. An outstanding feature of this Single Action is the one piece Ivory grip. Showing normal handling maarks, BUT NO damage ! After 139 years thay have achieved the natural wonderful mellow yellow patina, with age striations on the butt. Real and untouched since being palced on this revolver. The letter says grips, unlisted, so maybe factory, more likely the selling distributor OR done at the Colts final destination, either way 139 years ago!

Considering it was a 50 Colt shipment, you know they went WEST ! that is where the demand existed. It is extremely difficult to find EARLY Black Powder configuration Single Actions today, let alone long barrel, Ivory grip and EARLY nickel.

PRICE $5,850

There is no question this Ainsworth has been on the raw frontier and shows it's 149 years of age ! Serial No. 1250X was shipped to the Cavalry, maybe San Antonio Depot, on July 29, 1874. Since then, we can only guess the service it has endured. At that time about 322 were shipped, for issue to select cavalry units. 50 to a crate. I found it fascinating that of the approximate 12,000 Ainsworth revolvers produced, ONLY about 1,600 + or- are accounted for in collections! That means in any condition, not just all original. This Ainsworth , excluding the barrel length, is ALL original. It has ALL the parts it left Hartford with, no replacements. The barrel, in the day ( late 1800's) was re-sighted and shortened to Six Inches, and shows appropriate matching wear. ALL Serial Numbers are matching, TG, BS, Frame, cylinder, and barrel, even faded in the one piece Walnut grip channel. Many features to the EARLY SAA's are present: Italic Barrel Address, 1st style ejector housing, long knurled face hammer , the 1872 two line frame patent ,bulls eye ejector head and Inspector marks.  Regarding Ainsworth Inspector markings: There are only two visible ones present, one on the trigger guard below serial number and one on the back strap behind trigger notch. This Ainsworth saw HARD use on the Frontier. Even the U.S. ( note: the early smaller size US ) is worn where the S is barely visible, while the U is definitively there. This Colt saw , as I said, unusual hard wear, even the Italic barrel address is hard worn, BUT visible.

These are the original factory one piece Walnut grips, as in the channel and barely visible is the serial Number. They show years and years of hand wear, as the wood is rounded on the edges. Most IMPORTANT: the working action functions correctly. It half cocks for loading/unloading, advances the cylinder each time pulled to the rear, the cylinder aligns with the chamber and locks, ready to fire. Incredible for 149 years ! By virtue of it's early production for the U.S. and the earliest Inspector it is a HIGHLY desirable Colt, in any form, and this one is 100% authentic, Remember only 1,600 of about 12,000 are known to exist today !

PRICE $7,650

SOME ORIGINAL BLUE REMAINS IN SEVERAL FLUTES

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