Sold for $3,000

Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium

Lot Description

Re-Nickeled Colt Model 1871-72 Open Top Revolver

.44 Rimfire. 7.5" barrel length. SN: 3010. Nickel plated refinish overall including small parts with repaired simulated ivory grips. Single action loading gate revolver mounting rear notch and front blade sights on the ends of the barrel and built using the wedge pin frame design. The left frame displays the two line patent reading -PAT. JULY. 25. 1871-/-PAT. JULY. 2. 1872.- with the barrel address reading in a single line -ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-. Mounts the externally sprung loading gate and Army size steel gripstraps of the later production run. The serial numbers match on the principal components including the arbor pin. The loading gate shows the assembly number 1562, and the replaced spring wedge pin is numbered 74528. Though outwardly resembling the earlier Richards and Richards-Mason pattern of cartridge converted revolvers, the Model 1871-72 Open Top revolver was manufactured from new production parts, making it Colt's first purpose built full size cartridge revolver (the smaller Cloverleaf and Open Top Pocket revolvers both entered production earlier). Chambered in the popular .44 Henry Rimfire cartridge, the revolver offered buyers an excellent companion to the repeating rifles offered by Winchester in the same instant. However, thanks to the development of the famed Single Action Army type, the Colt Open Top's production run lasted for just under one and a half years from February of 1872 to June of 1873 with less than 7,000 manufactured in total.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Condition Report

Very Good as refinished. Bore is Frosty with strong rifling throughout and some patches of patina forming at the forcing cone. The butt shows some old mars that have been filled in with nickel, as does the left triggerguard. Some pitting is visible in the forward frame and along the inner right edge of the frame. The nickel finish shows some scattered light scratches overall. The cylinder shows some pitting at the forward ends of each chamber along with some weakness to the ratchet teeth. The nickel has flaked off the outer surface of the cylinder between two chambers over some light pitting. The wedge pin screw has been cut down to permit the wedge to slip through. The grips are yellow tinted and wiggle slightly. Roll engraved scene has been partly obscured by the refinish. The left side has a dark crack running its full length, with a shim at the edge where it meets the frame. The lower edges of the grips display some rounding from refinishing. The action times and indexes correctly with a strong replacement mainspring.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Hindman staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Hindman website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Hindman.

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