Lot 3052: Montana Colt Bisley Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Revolver

The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver with a 4 3/4 inch barrel in desirable .44 caliber, blue finish and grips not listed when shipped to Missoula Mercantile Company of Missoula, Montana, on June 16, 1903. This was a single gun shipment. The Eddy-Hammond Company, more commonly known as the Missoula Mercantile, dominated wholesale and retail trade in the Missoula area from 1885 to 1920, and was known as the "go to" shopping center in the town. Across its three floors of space The Mercantile offered hardware, plumbing supplies, local groceries, furniture, farm equipment, and of course guns. Over the years stories about The Mercantile have ranged from urban legends of Ringling Brothers elephants being kept in the basement when the circus was in town, to the true story of the passage in the basement used by John Wayne to move between the store and the nearby Florence Hotel when he was in Missoula. The revolver has standard Colt markings, matching serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard and back strap, and hard rubber checkered grips with the circled Rampant Colt. Provenance: The John Fox Collection

This revolver has an aura of the American frontier with true Montana character throughout exhibited by authentic scattered patina and holster wear, while still retaining 40% original Colt blue finish, mainly on the barrel and trigger guard area. Grips are fine as turned to an attractive brown patina with handling marks and a small chip on the bottom left grip. Mechanically excellent.