Approximately 7,000 Open Top revolvers were manufactured in 1872 and 1873. The majority of the components were newly manufactured, but some components were left over from prior percussion models. This example has the two line, two patent date marking on the left side of the frame and the one line address marking on top of the barrel (traces). The matching serial number is present on the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap and cylinder. The cylinder has the navy battle scene. The majority of these revolvers saw hard use, and thus, surviving examples are difficult to obtain. This design was rejected by the U.S. Army in 1872 because a stronger frame and more powerful cartridge than the .44 Henry was desired. As a result, William Mason worked to create what later became the Colt Model 1873 better known as the Single Action Army Revolver.

Fair. The revolver has a mottled gray patina. There is a plugged hole above the serial number on the "stretched" back to current length barrel and a couple of areas of tool marks. The rifling inside the barrel has a ring in which the replaced forward section transitions to an opposite direction twist. The lower section of the right recoil shield has been cut down. The cylinder retains much of the naval scene. The slightly shrunken grip is good with long age cracks and a number of minor scratches. Mechanically excellent.