Colt Model 1871-1872 Open Top Revolver with rare features and Ordnance inspected canteen stock. The revolver has several rare features which include: (1) early style loading gate with internal spring, (2) navy size grip and (3) iron trigger guard and back strap. In addition, the heel of the back strap has a milled groove to accept a shoulder stock yoke and the back strap has a rectangular opening for the stock hook. The revolver has the typical Model 1871-72 Open top features which include: Richards-Mason ejector housing with target pattern ejector head, barrel with integral rear sight at the breech, six-shot straight cylinder with Texas Navy battle scene and hammer with rimfire firing pin and bordered knurled spur. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped "-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-". "COLTS/PATENT" is stamped in two lines on the left side of the frame. The serial number "47" is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap. All of the visible serial numbers match. The attachable shoulder stock is the rare canteen variation with brass furniture. The stock has a hook in the yoke that engages the slot milled in the revolver back strap and a hook that fits the milled groove in the butt and is tightened by a thumbscrew. The stock is oil finished walnut with a brass yoke and buttplate. The sling swivels, canteen cap, yoke hook and thumb screw are iron. The right side of the stock wrist is stamped with an Ordnance final inspection mark that consists of the script initials "WAT" (MAJ. William A. Thorton) surrounded by an oval border. "M" is stamped on the underside of the yoke and the heel of the buttplate. "C" is stamped on the top of the yoke. The "WAT" inspection mark pre-dates the Civil War and indicates that the stock dates from the 1850s. The "M" markings may indicate that the stock was an Ordnance "Model" piece and the "C" may be an Ordnance condemnation mark. Colt canteen attachable stocks with ordnance inspection marks are extremely rare. The modifications to the revolver back strap for stock attachment are period and well executed but are probably not factory work.

Good as period refinished. The barrel has a silver-gray patina with some surface texture and numerous small disassembly dents and scratches on both sides of the lug. The barrel legend is clear. The Texas Navy scene of the cylinder is light but 85% intact. The cylinder and frame have a dark patina. There is some shallow pitting on the recoil shield and loading gate. The finish on the hammer, back strap and trigger guard has silvered and there is pitting on the left side of the hammer spur. The Navy size walnut grip is very good with a number of shallow dents on the bottom of the butt. The rare Model 1851 canteen stock is fine. The walnut stock has a very crisp "WAT" final inspection mark and a few minor dents and scratches. The brass yoke and buttplate have not been polished and are very good overall. The hook that attaches to the butt is broken but all the parts are included with the revolver. This is a scarce, possibly one-of-a-kind, early production Model 1871-72 Open Top Revolver that was period modified to accept a very rare U.S. inspected Colt attachable canteen stock.