Offered here is an outstanding prototype of Colt’s Model 1871-72 Open Top revolver. Highly prized by collectors for its limited production and significance as the first Colt revolver manufactured specifically for a metallic cartridge, the Model 1871-72 Open Top Revolver is the transition model between the Colt cartridge conversions and solid frame Single Action Army revolver. Unlike a standard production Model 1871-72, this prototype features a dovetailed rear sight on the barrel and rebated cylinder. Production models instead had an integral rear sight on the breech end of the barrel and straight cylinder. The revolver is fitted with a select walnut Army type grip. The standard production model used both Navy and Army sized grips with the Army size more frequent. The top of the barrel is stamped with the standard production one-line legend: “-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-.” The frame is unmarked, lacking the “COLT/PATENT” marking which was used on the first 1,000 production revolvers as well as the two-line patent dates used thereafter. The rebated cylinder is roll engraved with the naval engagement scene, a standard production feature that was a carryover from the percussion Model 1860 Army. The back strap is iron, and the trigger guard is brass, all nickel plated. Although the revolver lacks a serial number, the loading gate, right side of the back strap and trigger guard, wedge, grip channel, rear face of the frame, front face of the cylinder and rear face of the barrel lug are marked with the assembly number “3.” Other prototype open-tops are known. Serial number 1, for instance, is pictured and identified in R.L. Wilson’s “The Book of Colt Firearms” on pages 218-219 (figure F) and 233 (figure E). As with this revolver, no. 1 features an 8 inch barrel in .44 centerfire, a dovetailed rear sight, a rebated cylinder and a select walnut Army type grip. A third blued/casehardened prototype known to us was publicly sold several years ago. It too lacked a serial number and had assembly number 3 on the loading gate but had a 7 ½ inch barrel in .44 centerfire and a Navy size grip. Additional Open Top prototypes are documented in “The Book of Colt Firearms” on pages 218-219 and 232-235 and show a wide variety of similarities and differences in design. As R.L. Wilson notes, “In the development from which evolved the solid frame Single Action Army revolvers, an intriguing group of experimental and prototype Open Top arms were made by Colt’s Model Room. Engineers C.B. Richards and William Mason created most of these innovations.” Richards and Mason went on to design the famed Single Action Army, the revolver synonymous with the American West. This prototype mostly certainly played a major role in solidifying Colt’s enduring Peacemaker legacy. Comes with a period leather bound case featuring a cartridge block holding a full count of 50 early U.S. Cartridge Company .44 Colt cartridges. The interior of the lid has a ribbon hand marked “CAPt. Will M. Smith/Co. F 161 Reg. I.V.I.” This revolver was formerly in the famed collections assembled by William M. Lock and Dr. Joseph A. Murphy (See “The William Locke Collection” on page 171 and R.L Wilson’s “Fine Colts: The Dr. Joseph A. Murphy Collection” on pages 102-103 where it is identified by the assembly number 3). In the book “The William Locke Collection” the revolver is identified with a letter that states “the gun was presented to Capt. Wm. Smith for organizing Companying F of the 161st Regiment of the Indian Volunteer Infantry at Richmond, Indiana, in 1898” (the letter is not included). The historical record confirms that Captain Will M. Smith organized Company F of the 161st Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry in Richmond, Indiana, at the time of the Spanish-American War and was an electrical engineer by trade (see “History of the One hundred and sixty-first regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry” by W. E. Biederwolf). The 161st Indiana Volunteer Infantry mustered into service at Indianapolis in July 1898 and was comprised of 46 officers and 1,228 enlisted men, arrived in Havana, Cuba, on December 15, 1898, and mustered out of the service on April 30, 1899. The 161st was part of Major General Fitzhugh Lee’s Seventh Army Corps. The regiment was stationed at Camp Cuba Libre in Jacksonville, Florida, for the duration of the Spanish-American War and subsequently participated in the occupation of Cuba.

Excellent, retaining 98% plus original nickel plating with some scattered flaking exposing smooth gray patina on the balance. All of the cylinder scene remains. 95% original niter blue remains on the screws. The highly figured burl walnut grip is also excellent with minor dings and scratches and nearly all of the original varnish remaining. Mechanically functions fine. The case is fine with a short side panel detached but included, some scattered wear/loss on the exterior leather covering and typical high spot wear on the lining. A historical, stellar prototype Open-Top Single Action revolver linked to a Spanish-American War officer that will be a standout piece in any Colt collection.