The year 1884 was still a very wild and wooly year on our Frontier, with just 2 years earlier Billy the Kid, and Tombstone were all playing on the stage! of history. Serial No. 10863X has about 25-30% factory nickel plating, the balance is a light to medium gray patina. The finish is all original never having been disturbed. ALL factory applied markings are clear and present: two line barrel address, caliber on TG, frame patents, and Serial Numbers. Regarding Serial Numbers there is a variance. ALL numbers are matching, except the back strap. Then again, the back strap is the same finish (Nickel) and displays identical wear, MATCHING identical wear ! Two numbers are different, BS is 108XX8 only 31 numbers different. There exists only 2 possibilities: the owner had two Colt, upon re-assembly mixed them up: it was a factory oops! in numbering. All other possibilities would be astronomical odds of happening. Observe the wear at frame and back strap juncture to the right , clearly show uniformity.
MECHANICS: the working action functions correctly, cocking, locking, releasing to fire, cylinder rotation and alignment etc… It does show a common use factor. The internal trigger tip is worn and therefore slightly shorter. So, it aligns with the hammer notches causing the trigger to be more forward of it’s normal position in the guard. However, the revolver still functions on all features. This 1884 Colt has the “classic” Eagle Hard Rubber grips. They show hand wear, but have no damage.
