"COLT WALKER PERCUSSION REVOLVER. Cal. 44. Rare martial Walker with 9" oct to rnd bbl, orig style rammer with brass trigger guard & iron back strap and 1-pc walnut grip with outline of cartouches on each side, partially legible on right side. Serial number "B COMPANY NO 49" is visible on all parts in the proper locations. Bbl is and excellent, hand-crafted later replacement, replete with appropriate markings. The authentic, orig cylinder, frame & grips are not only orig, but as Walker's go, is an exemplary example. The cyl is fine to very fine retaining much of its orig scene & markings and certainly would rank with one of the better cyl we have seen. The backstrap & buttstrap actually have some traces of orig finish, again a rare feature on any martial Walker! Bbl has nearly straight rifling with slight right hand twist. Rammer and rammer handle are orig Colt equipment. Cyl retains its safety pin and is numbered 489, which is correct for B co. No. 49. Cylinder arbor also is orig as is the frame, wedge (which is unnumbered), trigger guard, back strap & grip. Until the development of the .357 magnum in the mid 20th C, the Walker was the most powerful handgun in the world, and thus it is not uncommon for the bbls to be damaged or destroyed. However, it is uncommon to find a frame and cyl assembly to be in this good a condition. CONDITION: Very good, as noted above. Bbl retains a smooth medium gray/brown patina. Rammer handle retains traces of silvered case colors with a few scattered spots of fine pitting and rammer has a few scattered small nicks with a smooth even patina. Cylinder is fine to very fine with a strong pressure ridge with most of the "USMR" and "COLTS PATENT" legends visible, as are the "b" inspector marks. Serial number is completely visible and it retains 30-35% orig Ranger/Indian fight scene. Overall the cylinder is a smooth gray/brown patina with scattered fine pitting. Frame & back strap are also a smooth gray patina with scattered fine pitting and has traces of orig blue at top of back strap with strong blue on butt strap. Trigger guard is a cleaned bright brass finish. Grip is sound with chipped toes and heavy edge wear with the aforementioned outlines and partially visible cartouche, retaining a dark hand worn patina. Mechanics are fine, strong dark bore. Trigger screw is moderately battered with remainder of frame & bbl screws fine. Other than the bbl, this is an exemplary example of a rare martial Walker and would be an outstanding addition to any collector's collection who did not want to spend $350,000 to $450,000 for an equal, all-orig gun. 4-31664 (110,000-150,000)"
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