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 are 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 with one-piece varnished walnut grip. The bronze, attachable, 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 is located on the underside of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. All of the visible serial numbers match.

Fine. The revolver and attachable stock retain 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 revolvers with carbine length barrels are the rarest and most sought-after Single Action revolver variations. The "Buntline Specials" with 10-inch barrels are even more rare than the 16-inch barreled revolvers, according to R.L. Wilson in the "The Book of Colt Firearms" (page 249). This is an extremely rare and well-documented revolver that would be a key piece in the most advanced Colt Single Action collection.