This revolver is one of approximately only 7,000 manufactured circa 1872-1873. The included factory letter confirms this revolver as .44 RF caliber with a 7 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, iron back strap and trigger guard, and grip not listed when originally shipped to Spies Kissam & Company of New York City on April 1, 1873 in a 50 gun shipment. 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 often saw hard use on the western frontier, remaining in use as working guns well into the period of dominance of the Single Action Army. The top of the barrel is marked "-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-". 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 296". The matching serial number "2296" is marked on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap, with matching assembly number "1510" on the cylinder pin and loading gate, and an unnumbered replacement wedge.

Very good, retains strong traces of original blue finish concentrated around some of the edges of the trigger guard and rear grip strap. Grip is also very good as re-oiled, slightly undersized, with light wear and a few small dings. Mechanically fine.