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  • /Lot 1234

Lot 1234:Colt Single Action Army Revolver 44-40 CF

December 5th, 2015|Rock Island, IL
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 1234

Lot 1234:Colt Single Action Army Revolver 44-40 CF

December 5th, 2015|Rock Island, IL
Estimated Price$50,000 - $75,000
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Extremely Rare Documented 10-Inch Barrel Colt "Buntline Special" Single Action Army Revolver with Skeletal Shoulder Stock

Colt Single Action revolver with carbine length barrel ("Buntline Special") and attachable stock. This revolver is accompanied by a Colt factory letter that describes the revolver as caliber .44-40 with nickel finish and states that it was shipped to Hartley & Graham in New York on September 24, 1882. The letter further states: "It is our opinion that this pistol was originally shipped with the 10" Buntline barrel, having the etched marking "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER" and notes that the 7 1/2 inch barrel length in the description was a mistake by the shipping clerk because the other 49 revolvers in the 50-gun shipment had 7 1/2 inch barrels. Also included with the revolver is a copy of a 1992 letter from antique Colt dealer Tommy Rholes and a 1980 dated letter from author and Colt Single Action expert Ron Graham (A STUDY OF THE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER). Both letters state that the writers examined this revolver and found it to be factory original. The revolver has a full nickel plated finish and one-piece varnished walnut grip. The bronze stock is also nickel plated. Unlike "Buntline Special" revolvers with 16-inch barrels, this revolver has a standard frame with sighting groove and standard front sight blade. The frame has the distinctive extended hammer screw that serves as a lug for the attachable stock. The revolver has the oval ejector rod head and hammer with bordered knurled spur and cone-shaped firing pin. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the ''Elongated Block Letter" address: "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.". The left side of the barrel is etched: "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER" in an oval panel. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt "Three-Date/Three-Line" patent markings. "44 CAL" is stamped on the left front trigger guard bow. "1" and "J" Colt inspection marks are stamped on the rear face of the cylinder. "C"' and "J" are stamped on the underside of the barrel behind the ejector housing stud, and a small "S" is stamped in the hammer well above the firing pin hole. The assembly number, "809", is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. The full serial number, "82402", is located on the underside of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. All of the visible serial numbers match.

ConditionFine. The revolver and attachable stock retains 60% of the original nickel plated finish but show considerable wear. The nickel plating has flaked in a number of places and the exposed surfaces are pitted. Most of the finish is missing on the ejector housing, cylinder and loading gate. The cylinder and forward edges of the frame have considerable flash pitting. The markings and serial numbers on the barrel, frame and other components are all legible. The grip is in fair condition with traces of the original varnish and numerous minor handling marks. The stock has scattered flaking and the knurled knob is heavily rusted. The action is tight and functions well. Colt Single Action Army revolvers with carbine length barrels are the rarest and most sought after Single Action Army revolver variations. The "Buntline Specials" with 10-inch barrels are even more rare than the 16-inch barreled revolvers. This is an extremely rare and well-documented revolver that would be a key piece in the most advanced Colt Single Action Army collection.
Details
ManufacturerColt
ModelSingle Action Army
TypeRevolver
Serial number
ClassAntique
Caliber / Gauge44-40 CF
Barrel10 inch round
Finishnickel
Gripwalnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views2084
Catalog page104
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