UNITED STATES EXPRESS Co. , COLT NEW POLICE .38, " a.k.a.  "COLT COP N' THUG" .38 ,1883

This Colt Revolver is one of the LOWEST production models from Colt, LESS than 4,000 were manufactured. It is also one of the MOST unique offerings from Colt, due to it's grips ! The checkered Hard Rubber Grips were embossed, with NOT an Eagle, but a Cop and Thug ( Robber) in a confrontation. The Thug has a knife and the Cop is attempting an arrest.

 This Model came in two barrel lengths, 4-1/2 inch and 6 inch, both had the ejector system on the barrel. This Colt is DOUBLE UNIQUE, first, as a rare low production Colt and seldom seen, but was the Property of United States Express Co. USX founded in 1854 , served as a company transporting packages and valuables around the entire United States. They used Stage Coaches and later Railway Express cars, but for both one thing was common. ALL the Agents were armed with instructions to guard the valuable packages they were entrusted to transport. Serial No. 1632X, was marked on the barrel by USX , as the Colt Serial No. was the same ! which appears on the butt.

In addition the letters USX were added to the barrel in front of the Property Number, as seen above. Slightly worn from use, BUT present. It has been my pleasure to have seen under a hand full of this Model  all marked by USX. They obviously were a  Single Action of enough power, yet concealable in an Agents pocket of waist coat.

The original finish was Factory Nickel plate, and about 10%+ or - is still present. An original patina  is the remainder of the finish, untouched and original.  Testifying to the quality of the Colt, it is still in 100% working order. ALL the working actions: cocking, locking, cylinder rotation and locking, and  releasing to fire, all function correctly, every time. MOST IMPORTANT: the unique hard rubber grips, which make this Colt, are in perfect condition, no damage. ALL factory applied markings are present, caliber, barrel address.  A RARE Colt, with even a RARER historical background, guarding valuables in the 19th century from Stagecoach and Train robbers, even Express office's.

PRICE $ 3,550

USX sign is for decoration only NFS

The major significance of this Model was, it was the FIRST Pocket Model revolver to be made at the Hartford Factory ! Manufactured in a very small quantity of about 15,000 from 1847 to 1850. The name came from the similarity to the full size .44 Dragoon revolver. This Baby Dragoon, Serial No. 1124X would have been manufactured in 1848 and has the scarcer Five Inch barrel.  ALL serial numbers are matching, all parts, and the frame patent is clear and distinct as is the barrel address. IT still has a perfect working action !  The overall surface is a soft gray patina, and the cylinder scene, "Stagecoach Holdup" is still present, just very light, but visible. Remarkably, the silver plating of the trigger guard and back strap is in abundance ! about 70% present.

The Walnut grips show hand use, but there is no significant misuse or damage and they have a fine antique patina.

PRICE $3,950

A very scarce and interesting early Colt revolver. They are hard to find, in working condition.

This Image captures the imagination of most Single Action collecting enthusiasts. The factory long barrel, the caliber of .45 and the most desired of the hard rubber grips, the Eagle pattern. Serial No. 13552X was shipped to an important dealer in 1890, Hibbard, Spencer & Bartlett, of Chicago. Many Colts from the Western Frontier, when lettered show this dealer. In fact, the Daltons of Oklahoma Territory were on " vacation" in Chicago and visited the business. They all purchased new Single Actions, some of which showed up in the attempted double Bank Robbery in Coffeeville Kansas shortly thereafter. The finish on this old veteran is a soft undisturbed and original patina, smokey gray in color. ALL factory applied markings are clear and present. The working actions are 100% perfect each and every time acted upon. The Eagle Grips are in extremely fine condition and show only normal hand wear over a 130 year period. Still having checkering and defined features in the the grip Eagles and banner.

There is still case colors present on the hammer and the frame directly in front of the cylinder, with the balance of the frame having "ghost" case colors showing.

A very solid example of a Black Powder Long Barrel Single action Army .45. PRICE $4,000

The New Line series of Revolvers followed the antiquated Open Top line and came in .22,.30,.38..41 rim fire and center fire calibers. Specifically the .38 had a small production of only 5,500 between 1874 and 1880. The 2nd Model is identified by the long cylinder flutes, and it locks from behind the cylinder, just like the DA 1877 Model. This example, Serial No.1536 is in 99.99% original factory condition. All the nickel plating is present and the caliber designation acid etched on the  2-1/4 inch barrel is perfect.

Mechanically this New Line is 100% correct on EVERY working action !The Rosewood grips are in perfect condition, even the fire blue on the grip screw.

You notice numbers stamped into the frame. 3411, they are obviously for a company. More than likely an Express Company or Guard Company. My personal guess from past experience is that of United States Express Co. They issued small revolvers to certain employees, as witnessed by other known examples from Remington and S&W. However, we do not know for absolute sure. It does make for an interesting New Line .38 !

PRICE $1,650

SCARCE , EARLY MODEL WITH EJECTOR HOUSING

Colt introduced this Model in 1871 and manufactured about 114,000 until 1877. Unfortunately due to a flood of less expensive models from lesser competitors, it was discontinued. This Open Top .22 , Serial No. 182X is very early production and has the earliest features collectors are always searching to acquire. It has the high hammer spur, and most important, the presence of an ejector housing and rod on the barrel !!

This Open Top .22 has the 2-3/8 inch barrel, and ejector housing assembly, quite scarce !!! The cylinder and barrel have 99.999% of all the original factory nickel plating, the frame has small spots indicating it too was once plated. However, the brass never held the plating well, so now is is an UNTOUCHED original brass patina, that creamy mustard color. All factory applied markings like the barrel address are sharp and clear. mechanically it is 100% correct in every working action.

This is an exquisite little Colt, the Open Top .22 and is 151 years old, still working and looking good !

PRICE $ 1,950

I believe this Open Top was originally in the Louisiana area, probably New Orleans because of the one grip. The right grip has been very professionally carved with the French Fleur de Lis, and a Palm Tree . Someone of distinction undoubtedly owned it accounting for it's very excellent condition.

B. KITTREDGE, CIN. O. Marked in 2 places. ORIGINAL CHECKERED IVORY GRIPS.

This Colt 1860 Army, although in appearance is a dark original untouched patina, has much to offer the collector. First, lets discuss B. Kittredge & Co. in Cin. O. ( Cincinnati, Ohio). In Colts early years of doing business, they had the FIVE Allies, their ONLY distributors, of them the ONLY one in the "west" was Ben Kittredge & Co. All the rest were NY outfits. How important: Kittredge was a jumping off point for the western trade, using the Ohio river and other ways directly into the western frontier. Just for the moment we will discuss Kittredge and Colt. Usually Kittredge got initial shipments of a new model. It was Kittredge who developed "catchy" trade names. The "Lightning".38, the "Thunderer".41, the "Rainmaker".32 and most famous the "Peacemaker".45. They marketed the revolvers west with these applied names of power. Coming current to the time of the 1860 Army, Kittredge played a key role. Serial No. 15168X, made in 1864, went to Kittredge and was marked on the revolver two times.

By 1864 Colt was experiencing problems in supply to the Union Contracts, so Kittredge stepped in and SOLD many 1860's directly the Union Army. perhaps even more important was the fact they sold to individual officers, and SUPPLIED the western ARMY in Indian Country. Remember the Indian wars didn't stop for our Civil War ! This Colt 1860 is also has it's ORIGINAL checkered One Piece Ivory grips, in outstanding ! condition for 1864. Overall the 1860 has a dark gray original patina, and relatively smooth metal. Untouched "mustard" patina brass. ALL factory applied markings are present. ALL matching Serial No's to include the cylinder and wedge ! The cylinder scene is weak, but has the Serial No. and Colt Patent visible. There is another unique additional feature. The capital letter "P" appears below EACH serial number. This was an early Colt marking designating it was to be nickel pated !!  This is discussed in Charles W. Pates new book, "The Colt 1860 Army" As almost all were sent to various plating companies as Colt was not yet in this process. Mechanically on ALL the working actions it is 100% as it left the factory in 1864.

As I said in the very beginning " be more than you appear" this "special" 1860 Colt Army  /Kittredge & Co. Cin O. is EXACTLY that !! PRICE $3,850

The .30 Colt New Line is an interesting chapter in Colt production. It is THE ONLY revolver ever made by Colt in .30 caliber, and ONLY for two years, in a total of only 11,000 units. MOST all had the 2-1/4 inch barrel, VERY few the 1-3/4 inch barrel. Why so short lived ? During this period of arms history many other firms were making the .30 Pocket Pistol. Hopkins & Allen, Hood, Forehand, etc... and ALL sold way ! less expensive than Colt. True to their nature, rather than sacrifice quality, and sell for less, Colt chose to discontinue the .30 New Line. Therefore, one in this elevated level of condition and barrel length is a great rarity and find for the collector. Serial No.485X has 99.9999% of all its original bright nickel Colt factory finish. The highlight colors of blue on the screw heads is present, just slightly dulling.  The bright fire blue on the hammer reverse is still present only slightly darkened. The Rosewood grips still have all their varnish, and show next to no handling dings. The mechanical functions on the working action function 100% correctly, each and every time !

It would be very difficult to improve on this example, excluding engraved or exotic finish, in condition and scarcity.

The "etched" panel is still completely present and vividly seen !

All factory markings clear and present, all matching serial numbers.

PRICE $ 1,850