This well above average condition Colt Model 1871-1872 Open Top revolver is one of approximately only 7,000 manufactured circa 1872-1873, at a time when settlers pouring into the American West demanded powerful large caliber sidearms. Their heavy use on the western frontier and limited production run has made the Model 1871-1872 one of the most difficult Colt revolvers to find in any condition. The Model 1871-1872 Open Top was a direct predecessor of the hugely successful Colt Single Action Army Revolver, and these were some of the first Colt cartridge revolvers available in the West. These revolvers remained in use as working guns well into the period of dominance of the Single Action Army. The production of the Open Top was made possible after the American government refused Rollin White’s request to extend his breech loading revolver patent in 1870. Smith & Wesson held exclusive rights to the use of White’s patent, and for every S&W manufactured revolver that used his bored through cylinder patent, White received a 25 cent royalty. White was responsible for defending his patent in court against other manufacturers who infringed upon his breech loading design, and his success in the courts paved the way for S&W to manufacture the first commercially successful revolver to use rimfire cartridges, the Model 1, with near impunity from competitors. S&W followed up the Model 1 with a series of tip-up revolvers that dominated the rimfire market. The expiration of White’s patent signaled the end to S&W’s unyielding domination over the rimfire revolver market. Colt’s response was the Model 1871-72 revolver. Features a German silver blade front sight and integral notch rear sight on top of the barrel, and the top of the barrel is marked with the one-line Hartford address. The left side of the frame is marked with the two-line 1871 and 1872 patent markings, and the cylinder is roll engraved with the Naval Battle of Campeche scene and "COLTS PATENT No 439". Matching serial numbers appear on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap and cylinder, and the assembly number "806" is on the loading gate. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped to John P. Moores Sons of New York City on June 3, 1874, in .44 rimfire chambering with blue finish and type of stocks and barrel length not listed. This was a 29 gun shipment. Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection

Exceptionally fine, with the barrel, ejector rod housing and grip strap retain 60% plus bright original high polish blue finish with some pitting and the hammer and frame retains 70% original case colors with the overall balance a smooth brown-gray patina. Nearly all of the cylinder scene remains. The slightly age shrunken grip is also exceptionally fine with crisp checkering and attractive color. Mechanically excellent. This highly attractive Colt Model 1871-72 Open Top Revolver is in seldom encountered blue finish and will make an exceptional addition to any Colt or western frontier collection no matter how advanced.