Carlos Gove (1817-1900) is one of the most legendary gunsmiths and dealers of the American West. When the "59ers" began rushing into the Colorado Territory during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush, he purchased supplies and headed out from Council Bluffs and soon opened a gun shop in Denver in 1862. He partnered with J.P. Lower and Gove's son-in-law Frank Church to form C. Gove & Co. in 1872 and ran the "Denver Armory." When Gove received the Open Top shipment in January 1874 he had a read market as many frontiersmen already had either a Henry rifle or a '66 Winchester in the same .44 rimfire caliber. The following year, the firm became C. Gove & Sons. In addition to Colt's revolvers, Gove outfitted the western and great plains expansion as a dealer and customizer of Sharps rifles. The included copy of a factory letter lists this revolver a one of 50 in .44 rimfire with 7 1/2 inch barrels and blue finish shipped to C. Gove & Company in Denver, Colorado Territory, on January 10, 1874. The revolver has standard markings and features, including matching sharp serial numbers. The included holster appears to be marked" GOVE & SONS/DENVER COL" and has some light border tooling, and the matching leather cartridge belt has a "C. GOVE & CO/DENVER COL" brass belt buckle. Only a small number of these belt buckles are known, and this one is in particularly nice shape. In addition to these Open Tops being the first lettered metallic cartridge Colts shipped West of the Mississippi, Gove had these holster rigs and belt buckles made to accompany the Colt Open Top revolvers he was selling. See B. Welch, "Frontier Denver", T.G.C.A. Magazine, Fall 2007. This is the second three-piece C. Gove Open Top set we have cataloged, both consigned by the same advanced collector, who says he thinks these are the only two known.

Very good. The revolver has a very attractive appearance with mostly smooth gray patina overall from age and strong traces of the original blue finish remaining in the sheltered areas. The cylinder scene and other markings are distinct. The grip appears original and is good with traces of the original varnish, lower edge wear, small flakes at the toe and heel, scratches, and dings. The Gove cartouche is on the top face of the holster where it received extensive wear, but the holster and belt rig is very good overall considering it is 150 years old and its rarity with some wear including some crackling and flaking. All stitching on the holster and belt is complete. The 12 cartridge loops for .44 rimfire are worn with some cracking but remain solid. The brass buckle has a very dark aged patina. This is a rare territorial Carlos Gove three-piece set with a documented Colt Open Top, belt with distinctive Gove buckle, and holster. The set will certainly make an exceptional addition to any antique American firearms collection, especially one centered on the American West.