The Colt Model 1871-72 Open Top Revolver is highly prized by collectors for its limited production and its significance as the transition model between the Colt cartridge conversions and solid frame Single Action Army revolver, paving the way for the Single Action Army which was an immediate success shortly thereafter. Approximately 7,000 Model 1871-72 revolvers were manufactured between 1872 and 1873. These were some of the first Colt cartridge revolvers available in the West and 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. As a “frontier working gun,” this model of Colt rarely featured deluxe embellishments. The rarity of period engraved examples is explicitly noted by R. L. Wilson in "The Book of Colt Firearms": “[E]ngraved specimens of the 44 open Top Frontier are extremely rare. Of the few known engraved, the majority were decorated outside the Colt factory, principally by the dealers Schuyler, Hartley and Graham of New York City” (page 237). These “engraved specimens” are highly prized by collectors and the limited availability means that even the most advanced private or public collections lack an example. Without a doubt No. 164 is a true rarity in Colt collecting and is a crown jewel in 19th century American firearms artistry. The revolver a wonderful profuse period L.D. Nimschke style New York engraving consisting of mostly floral scrollwork on a punch dot background along with a star burst pattern behind the front sight, fan motifs on the recoil shield, loading gate and top of the back strap, entwining line and dot pattern on the butt and trigger guard, and checkerboard pattern on the ejector rod housing. This highly finished arm is made even more spectacular by having a two-tone finish of nickel and gold and checkered one-piece grip. The barrel, frame, and grip straps are plated in nickel. The ejector rod housing, hammer, and cylinder are plated in gold. The revolver is featured in the 2nd edition of “Fine & Historic Arms Annual” where it is cited as “the finest known early production 1871/72 Open Top revolver” (page 181). This is a stunning showpiece that has no equal available to collectors. The writer only knows of one other example featuring a Nimschke style engraving and two tone finish (silver and gold) and that is no. 4974, which is part of the Autry Museum of the American West collection (see “The Book of Colt Firearms,” page 237 and the Autry’s collections online). The top of the barrel has the one-line New York address, "COLTS/PATENT," which appeared on the first 1,000 revolvers produced, is stamped on the left side of the frame, and the cylinder has the roll engraved naval engagement scene along with engraved scallop bands. The loading gate has the assembly number "125." Matching serial numbers are on the frame, barrel, trigger guard, back strap, and cylinder. Provenance: The C.D. Terry Collection; The Nick Shannon Collection

Exceptionally fine overall. The barrel, frame and grip straps retain 95% plus of the retailer applied nickel plating with some very scattered edge wear and general loss on the barrel lug. The engraving is crisp. The remaining surfaces retain traces of gold in the protected areas, otherwise showing an untouched smooth brown patina. The cylinder has some bruising on the front edge and retains virtually all of the crisp naval scene. The grip is very fine with slight age shrinkage, couple surface chips along the high edge, few typical age hairline cracks mostly on the bottom and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A fantastic showpiece of one of the handful of known New York retailer engraved Model 1871-72 Open Top Revolvers that will make a grand statement in any Colt collection no matter how advanced.