"COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. PROTOTYPE OR EXPERIMENTAL SN 15430. Cal. 45 Colt. Most unusual prototype with 7-1/2" bbl, full front sight with script letter address on top. Bottom of bbl is milled for first type ejector rod housing, which appears to never have been installed. Bbl & cylinder are still in the "white" with rough machine marks, never having been finished. Rear edge of cylinder has a heavy beveled edge and right side of frame is mounted with an arm which extends up over the cylinder with a tab that lines up with the loading/unloading slot in the frame. Loading gate has been modified to include a 1/2" long x 3/8" wide slightly curved tab for easy thumb access and additional leverage so that when loading gate is completely opened it contacts the rear edge of the base of the arm which causes the arm to pivot to the rear partially extracting the cartridge or empty casing in that chamber. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates of only "SEPTEMBER 19, 1871" and "JULY 2, 1872" in tiny letters & numbers far forward on the frame similar to the markings found on the Model 1871-72 open top Colt revolver. The serial number on the frame is hand stamped. Trigger guard & back strap were obviously salvaged from a military revolver as the trigger guard has a tiny "L" below serial number and the back strap a tiny "L" at the top behind the hammer slot. Both trigger guard & back strap appear to be new & unused and contain an orig 1-pc walnut grip. Left sides of the trigger guard and ear of back strap show bright metal where they were dressed to fit the new frame. CONDITION: Bbl & cylinder are in the "white" as noted and retain virtually all of this original finish. Frame, hammer & loading gate retain virtually all of their brilliant orig case colors. Grip frame, on the front & back edges and butt strap, retains about all of its orig factory blue with bright dressed edges on left side and evidence of some dressing on right side. Grip is sound with light nicks, dings & scratches and a chipped right toe and retains about all of its orig oil finish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore that appear to not have been polished. 4-33840 JR349 (15,000-20,000)"
Back to the index
|
