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Antique Colt Model 1871-72 Open-Top Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:900.00 USD
Antique Colt Model 1871-72 Open-Top Revolver
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Antique Colt Model 1871-72 Open-Top Revolver, #2708, .44 Henry Flat RF cal., 7.5'' round barrel with blade front and unique integral notched rear sights, and right-side ejector rod, marked with the one-line ''U.S. America'' address on top; 6-shot cylinder has the rolled ''naval engagement'' scene and is marked with a boxed ''Colts Patent No. 708''; open-top frame is marked with the two-line 1871-72 patent dates at left, has right-side hinged loading gate batch-marked ''1766'', two-piece Army-size steel gripstraps, one-piece varnished walnut grips. Mfg'd ca. 1872-73 in only about 7,000 guns with full bluing but for case hardened hammer. Condition is very good retaining no original metal finishes but an overall cleaned light gunmetal gray, having scattered pitting primarily to barrel, heavy at top obscuring all but traces of the address line, side of ejector, a .75''x1.675'' patch on cylinder circumference, and backstrap. Grips are smooth and sound missing small-to-medium chips at heels and toes of both sides, have bottom edgewear and a later coat of varnish. Hammer was altered to centerfire during the period of use. Edges and markings are sharp except as noted; cylinder scene is 75% clearly visible but for section of pitting; all visible serial numbers match. Gun is tight and complete; action is crisp; bore is bright showing patches of frosting and sharp rifling. The immediate predecessor to Colt's Model 1873 Single Action Army revolver, the 1871-72 Open Top's limited production and hard military use make it an extremely desirable find today. Est.: $1,800-$2,400. (Antique)