Page 147 - Auction84-Book3

LOT 3247
Highly Desirable, Outstanding Winchester Shipped Nickel Plated Black Powder Colt Etched Panel Frontier Six
Shooter Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 50947, 44-40 WCF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl.,
nickel finish, walnut grips. This is a much sought after example of an acid etched panel black powder and fully factory
nickel plated Colt Single Action Army revolver in 44-40 WCF. This high condition example was manufactured in 1879, and the
factory letter confirms the caliber and nickel plated finish (barrel length and grips not listed but noted as standard issue) and that it was
in a shipment of five guns of this type shipped on March 29, 1897, to the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. The left side of the barrel has the acid etched “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” panel. This highly desirable etched barrel panel was officially replaced by the Colt factory in
the 135,000 serial number range with the much easier to produce and larger roll-stamping. Rarely is the etched panel encountered in such pristine condition as featured on this example. It is equipped with standard blade front and frame notch rear sights. The top of the barrel has the stamped one-line Hartford address, the left side of the frame has the stamped three-line patent dates marking, and the left side of the trigger guard is stamped “44 CF.” The underside of the barrel carries the correct small “44” marking. A small “S” is stamped on the rear cylinder face.
The ejector housing is the second type as it has been factory altered from the original first type, and the ejector rod has a bullseye head. The matching full or partial serial number is marked on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, barrel and cylinder. The loading gate is marked with the assembly number “340.” The revolver is fitted with a walnut grip.
CONDITION: Excellent. The barrel retains 98% plus original nickel plating with a crisp etched panel. The ejector rod housing retains 90% original nickel plating. The frame retains 97% original nickel plating. 85% original nickel plating remains on the cylinder. The back strap retains 97% original nickel plating. The trigger guard retains 85% original nickel plating. The screws retain 80% original niter blue. The grip is also excellent showing some minor high edge wear and minor handling marks and retaining most of the original varnish. The hammer does not hold in the safety notch when the trigger is pulled, otherwise action functions properly. An outstanding factory full nickel Colt etched panel Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army Revolver that will make a great addition to any SAA collection no matter how advanced.
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 20,000 - 30,000
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