Colts 1

The Texas Rangers are Legends famous in Texas from the very beginnings right until the early 1900’s, in fact certain Rangers today  are still Legends. It is very difficult for a Ranger to be a Legend among Legends, BUT N.O. Reynolds certainly is just that. A Ranger whose is not an everyday name, but his deeds and exploits stand tall !  So tall, he was known as N.O. Reynolds, “The Intrepid” in Texas and among his peers. During the 1870’s and 1880’s  he was widely recognized as an Intrepid Lawman. WITH THIS COLT AN AUTHOR AUTOGRAPHED LEATHER BOUND 439 PAGE BOOK ENTITLED TEXAS RANGER N O REYNIOLDS, “THE INTREPID” BY Chuck Parsons & Donaly E. Brice. Reynolds began in 1874 as a Sergeant in The Frontier Battalion, rising to Lieutenant and Company E. Commander. After a full career with the Rangers, he went on to be the City Marshal of Lampasas, Tx, then Sheriff of Lampasas County. Eventually Major Reynolds his name was N( Nelson) ). ( Orcelus) Reynolds. One of his early assignments was with the arrest and guarding of John Wesley Hardin ! The 439 Page book tells every detail of his life and career PLUS, many other Texas Ranger historical details. Factoids of the 1870’s and 1880’s in Texas and Texas on both sides of the Badge. That in this brief introduction covers the background of this historical Colt offered for sale. On to the colt itself: COLT FACTORY LETTER: Shipped July1, 1880 to Hartley & Graham New York. Serial No. 160XX shipped Blue, with Hard Rubber grips. in .41 colt caliber. As we see it today, after 146 years of service appears as follows: 5% blue. Cylinder darkened with more blue on some protected areas. Ghost Case Color on Frame and Hammer. Grips showing hand wear with the checkering lightly remaining/ ALL factory applied markings are present and legible. Barrel Address, Frame Patents, Caliber on Shoulder of Trigger Guard Checkering strong on cylinder pin head and hammer. Screw heads are clean and have no tool damage. IMPORTANT: the working action is correct and functions correctly. MOST IMPORTANT: The Backstrap is inscribed for presentation: Lieut.N. O. Reynolds From The Boys of CO. E  /  All Serial Numbers are matching. Also with the sale comes a 3 Ring Binder, full , 24 pages, protected covering, of ALL OFFICIAL TEXAS RANGER Documents pertaining to N.O. Reynolds. Copied bearing the Official Texas State Stamp of  Texas State Library Archival.  THIS IS AN EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR A COLLECTOR TO OWN TEXAS RANGER HISTORY, “THE INTREPID”

This Colt Single Action .45, Serial No. 2360X, is from the 1876 production. To collectors a significant year, it is a Centennial Colt, and from the same year as the Battle of the Little Big Horn and Custer. It has all the early production features: Two Line 1872 Frame Patent, Long Knurled hammer face and border, Donut Ejector rod Head. The Ivory Grips are the original to the revolver, and have the correct .000% shrinkage on grip. The mellow Ivory ” mustard color” only patina 150 years can produce. ALL factory applied markings are visible and clean. Caliber on upper shoulder of trigger guard. ALL MATCHING Serial Numbers, in ALL locations: frame, trigger Guard. The , Butt and Cylinder. the one line barrel address is the early block letter style. the screw head slots are remarkably clean, showing no tool damage. ALL parts are the original to this 1876 Colt SAA revolver. IMPORTANT: the working action is 100% correct, all hammer notches, cylinder rotation, indexing, locking tight, and prepared to release to fire. This Colt functions as it did in 1876. For a 150 year old SAA it is in remarkable condition, suitable for any collection. originally it was finished as a blue revolver, with case colored frame and hammer. Today, it is an untouched! never cleaned or polished etc.. original patina finish. A dark gray and darker blue on the cylinder. With a little observation, even some FADED ! case color on hammer , ghost spots can be seen. it is VERY HARD to locate BLACK POWDER Colt Single Action in the 1870’s especially ALL original, 7-1/2 inch barrel, and 100% original mechanics. Plus Ivory grips. A great Colt .45 SAA with historical beginnings. **Colt Factory Letter states SHIPPED MARCH 27, 1876 TO H&D FOLSOM ARMS. COMPANY, NY, NY. 1 of 50 BLUE, .45, barrel Length Not Listed, Indicative of 7-1/2 inches, STOCKS not listed, probable Walnut. The Ivory Grips have been with this revolver since 1876, obviously Dealer Added. for Customer. H&D FOLSOM, WAS ONE OF THE “ORIGINAL” COLT ALLIES, FOR SHIPMENTS.

TODAY , GALVESTON IS THOUGHT OF AS A BEACH TOWN, ON THE GULF. NOT SO IN THE 19TH CENTURY. IT WAS THE MAJOR PORT IN THE UNITED STATES, INCREDIBLY BUSY AND PROSPEROUS. HOWEVER, JUSTA  FEW MIKLES SOUTH YOU ENTERED CATTLE COUNTRY. THE ALLEN RABCH WAS THE OLDEST IN TEXAS AND ONE OF THE LARGEST. A RARE TOWN, COMBINING THE CATTLE TRADE, AS MANY DRIVES BEGAN IN GALVESTON. OF COURSE  WITH SUCH DIVERSITY IT ATTRCATED THOSE SEEKING THE EASY DOLLAR !! SO GUN PLAY WAS NO STRANGER TO GALVESTON.. THIS COLT , CFSS, COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER, FOR 44/40 CALIBER, AND COMPANION TO THE WINCHESTER LEVER ACTION, SERIAL No 15753X  WAS SHIPPED TO GALVESTON IN JULY OF 1894, TO J.S. BROWN, LOCTAED AT TREMONT & STRAND ST. IN A QUANTITY OF ONLY 2 ! SHIPPED AS A 4-3/4 INCH. BLUE FINISH, HARD RUBBER GRIP. AS WE SEE IT TODAY, IT MATCHES THE LETTER. EXDCEPT THE BLUE FINISH DUE TO AGE AND USE IS A SOFT  GRAY FINISH. THERE ARE TRACES OF CASE COLOR ON THE HAMMER. ALL FACTORY APPLIED MARKINGS ARE PRESENT AND CLEARLY SEEN. THE COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER ROLL DIE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF BARREL. FRAME PATENTS, BARREL ADDRESS AND ALL MATCHING SERIAL NUMBER CORRCETLY LOCATED. THE SCREW HEADS ARE ALL CLEAN WITH NON BUGGERED SLOTS. ALL PARTS ARE THE 1894 FCATORY PARTS, ALL ORIGHINAL. THE HARD RUBBER EAGLE GRIPS ARE IN GREAT SHAPE SHOWING NORMAL HAND WEAR, NO CRACKS OR MISING PIECES. THE EAGLE IS CLEARLY VISIBLE AS IS THE HAND WORN CHEXKERING. AND RAMPNAT COLT LOGO AT GRIP TOP. IMPORTANT: THE WORKING ACTION IS PERFCET ! ALL HAMMER NOTCHES, SAFETY, HALF-CODK AND FULL COCK. THE CYLINDER RPOTATES CORRECTLY, INDEXES, AND LOCKS UP FOR FIFING. no< TIGHT NO, NO MECHANICAL ISSUES! THIS IS AN HONEST COLT, NEVER CLEANED OR POLISHED, JUST132 YEARS OF HONEST SERVICE.  i SAY WITH CONFIDENCE, TEXAS SHIPPED COLTS RANK AS ONE OF , IF NOT THE ONE MOST, SOUGHT AFTER COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVERS. TEXAS WAS THE FRONTIER, WITH ALL THE FLAMBOYANT HISTORY ROLLED INTO ONE STATE !!!!!

TEXAS WAS  THE OLD WEST AND FRONTIER. IT HAD THE GREAY OPEN RANGES, CATTLE, COWBOYS, AND THE CATTLE DRIVES, ENDING IN WILD TOWNS, LIKE FT.WORTH, EL PASO, SAN ANTONIO,  AND HOUSTONIT ALSO HAD IT’S FAIR SHARE OF GUNFIGHTERS AND GAMBLERS, PLUS FAMOUS LAW MEN PERHAPS THIS IS WHY COLT SINGLE ACTIONS SHIPPED TO TEXAS TAKE ON MYTHICAL PROPORTION AND ALL COLLECTOTS SEARCH FOR THEM FOR THEIR COLLECTIONS. THIS FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER, SERIAL NO. 15474X SHIPPED TO HOUSTON IN 1894, TO DUNLAY & GEISLER IT MATCHES THE LETTER EXACTLY. COLT LETTER, 5-2/2 INCH BARREL. BLUE FINISH, HARD RUBBER GRIPS NOYE: THIS COLT EXHIBITS A FACTORY CHANGE, IT HAS THE CHECKERED HARD RUBBER GRIP, WITH COLT LOGO AT THE TOP. THE EAGLE PATTERN HAD BEEN DISCONTIUED. THESES ARE THE ORIGINAL GRIPS TO THE REVOLVER. EVERYRHING IS ORIGINAL ON THIS CFSS,  THE ONE LINE BARREL ADDRESS, FRAME PATEN AND CALIBER DESIGNATION ON BARREL.  HOWEVER AFTER USE IN TEXAS STARTING IN 1894, THE GRIPS SHOW HAND WEAR AND SONE CHECKERING IR WORN, BUT THE RAMPANT COLT LOGO IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AT TOP OF GRIPS. THE ORIGINAL BLUE FINISH, IS NOW A DARK BLUE AND PLUM COLOR PATINA. ALL ORIGINAL, NEVER BEEN CLEANED, IT IS ALL ORIGNAL AND A 132 YEAR OLD PATINA. IMPORTANT: THE WORKING ACTION IS 100% CORRECT, ALL HAMMER NOTCHES, CYLINDER ROTATION AND LOCKING AND INDEXING CORRECTLY EACH AND EVERY TIME. NO, NO MECHINICAL ISSUES. THIS CFSS SHOWS IT WAS USED, BUT STILL CARED FOR, FOR THE PERIOD OF TIME. SOUTH OF HOUSTON MANY CATTLE RANCHES THRIVED, ALL THE WAY TO VICTORIA AND THE BORDER. A TRUE TEXAS COLT.

This Nickel Single Action Army, Serial No. 61020, 7-1/2 inch barrel, Nickel finish .45, One Piece Walnut grips. Is LISTED in the Text book,” A Study of the Single Action Army Revolver”, by Graham, Kopec & Moore on PAGE 257, BY SERIAL NUMBER. It is an ULTIMATE RARE Colt revolver, an incredible find for Martial and Colt Collectors, ONLY ONE TO BE HAD. Interest in the Colt Single Action for the NAVY began with Rear Admiral Ludlow Case, Chief of Ordnance, Bureau, Navy Department as early as 1873. In fact earlier, with the .44 American Cartridge era, first SAA’s and American revolver. There were multiple correspondence with Admirals, Ordnance bureau’s etc… Rear Admiral A, Ludlow Case, plus N.N. Nuck, Commander United States Navy. There was one consideration which had to be, it would have a Nickel Plate Finish. All of this, ” Yet, we have ONLY ONE recorded U.S. Nickeled Single Action remaining, stamped Serial No.61,020 If there had been others,  survival rate would be much greater , look at Colt Conversions of the 1851 Navy, so stamped USN. To the purchaser, Page 257 has more to say, too lengthy for here and a sales description.  This Revolver has about 80%+ of the original colt nickel plate finish. ALL Factory Applied markings are clear and present: Barrel Address, Frame Patents, Caliber on shoulder of trigger guard, and a US on left side of frame . Other markings are clear and present also : Military Inspectors, DFC, Naval Inspectors J, and Naval Inspectors Cartouches on BOTH Grips. All serial numbers are present and totally Matching.

ON BOTTOM of BUTT, you have USN with ANCHOR

Mechanically this Colt is 100% Correct in every Working Action, all, notches, it rotates perfectly, locks tight, indexes perfectly, it operates today as it did when sold originally. PLEASE see Images with this Offering,  Especially the USN and Anchor.

Bear in mind, if YOU are a Colt Single Action enthusiast/collector this is the ONLY ONE IN Existence.nOW & ever !

Colt Factory Letter/This is an ULTRA RARE Colt Single Action, with Factory Letter. Originally Shipped in January 1887 to U.S. Government, as a Cavalry Colt. The United States Post Master General requested Colt Single Actions to Protect the Railway Mail from Train Robbers.  The Springfield Armory established a LOAN of 229 Revolvers. Sent in TWO shipments, One of 20 the second 209. Issued to Postal Clerks working the Railway Mail Service. What you must understand here is the postal system. ALL mail moved by train, and was sorted, and delivered by train. As the train pulled into a station, a Bag was grabbed by a special hook, in reverse a bag was left. The newly picked up mail was sorted into Pidgeon holed cabinets, to be ready for the next stop and drop. Originally the first  two  routes to  receive Colts were the San Francisco to NY routes. Why? GOLD and Government documents. The next, was the Omaha Neb. to Ogden UT routes. Eventually to all routes which had been plagued by Train Robbers. RESPONSIBILITY was taken very seriously. If you lost one, you had to pay the government back at $12.50. One clerk in Mandan ND, was robbed in his hotel room while sleeping, the Colt #120054 was taken, he had to repay the Government. IN 1890, the Government and USPS cancelled the loan on revolvers. BUT ONLY 226 were returned. Three were lost or unaccounted for. ONE, was allowed to remain with the RMS #119509, THIS REVOLVER  being sold here. The return also included issued ammunition and holsters ALL OF THIS INFORMATION can be found in the Text. A Study of the Colt Single Action Army, by Graham, Kopec and Moore. On pages 495 – 498 ALL Serial Numbers for the original 229 are listed. However, ONLY ONE REMAINED AS ORIGINAL.  After the return call sent with others to Springfield. Where they were used, and re-assembled as Artillery revolvers. ONLY ONE Original remains, this one offered for sale. If you have seen the Movie “The assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Bob Ford”, starring Brad Pitt,& Casey Affleck.  It graphically shows James Gang boarding the train, and immediately robbing the Mail/express car, Asking where is the Registered Pouch, then going through all the sorted mail seeking some thing of value to Rob. This happened far too many times, more so in the late 1800’s with the Wild Bunch etc… That is why the Post Master asked the Government for REVOLVERS , to defend the US Mail !!!

There is way more significance to this Colt, Serial No. 10712X. It was a participant in one of the most vicious gun battles, involving the arrest and death of George Weightman. He was known as “Red Buck”, and was the MOST wanted man in the Territory. He was so demented than Bill Doolin threw him out of the Indian Ty.gang !

All the details are contained in pages of the details of the event of March 1896. Three USD Marshals, Ventioner, Quillen and Holcomb attempted to arrest this Gang of Miller and “Red Buck” near Arapaho Ok. Ty. During this attempt a vicious gun battle erupted. One gang member, Miller had his right hand blown completely off, and all but two fingers on his left hand blown off. USD Marshal Ventioner was shot through the lower abdomen, by Red Buck right in front of the dug out. Holcomb was attempting to drag him to safety before Buck finished him off with a 2nd shot. Just then Red Buck fell dead with a shot thru the head, accredited to Bill Quillen. However, later it was said Ventioner shot Buck while laying there being dragged, HIGHLY improbable ! Note: A Minco, OK Newspaper published an article in 1896, stating Quillen had filed for the Reward for killing “Red Buck”. Either way this Colt was in the hands of Bill Quillen at the wild shootout in March 1896, Oklahoma Ty. There are many many more pages about this man and his history, the purchaser can read at his leisure. This Colt has about 60% or more original nickel plate finish, the balance is a soft gray patina. The cylinder represents the major loss of nickel and most of the patina. The Eagle Grips show normal wear and have crisp images and no damage. MOST IMPORTANT: despite it’s exciting life it remains 100% mechanically correct in every working action. ALL factory applied markings are clear and present. Due Note: 3 notches are present in 3 locations ! butt, trigger guard edge, and very end of the barrel past the sight !! With this Colt, they are the REAL deal !