Sold for $1,920

Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium

Lot Description

Professionally Restored Colt Model 1871-72 Open Top Revolver

.44 Rimfire. 7.5" barrel length. SN: 3108. Blued metal finish with casehardened frame and hammer mounting one piece walnut grips and niter blued screws. Single action loading gate revolver with target pattern ejector rod head and an externally sprung loading gate. The left frame shows the two-line patent mark reading -PAT. JULY. 25. 1871.-/-JULY. 2. 1872.-. The barrel address reads -ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-. The cylinder itself displays a restruck Ormsby roll engraved pattern with the barrel address showing signs of likely restamping. The serial numbers match on the cylinder, gripstraps, frame, arbor pin, and barrel. The loading gate shows the assembly number 273. Wedge pin is not numbered. A C initial has been struck in the hammer recess and on the rear face of the barrel lug. Grips are a modern replacement and fit flush with the edges of the gripstraps. 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 Fine as Restored. The casehardened frame retains strong colors with some slight signs of thinning on the right side of the loading gate. The blued metal finish on the barrel shows few scattered light scratches along with abrasions in three spots along the underside of the barrel and on the left barrel above the wedge pin hole. Cylinder displays a light turn ring, a scratch running the length of the cylinder, and some light pitting around the arbor pin bushing and muzzle end that has been filled in with pitting. Some further mars and dings along the forward edges of the cylinder and below the forcing cone. The ejector rod housing has two scratches running lengthwise. Rear gripstrap shows some flecking to the finish. Grips have few small dings in the butt. The action times and indexes but fails to fully lock on one chamber.

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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