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Colt Frontier Six-Shooter Etched Panel 1873 Colt Single Action Army Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:NA
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''Colt Frontier Six-Shooter'' Etched Panel Model 1873 Colt Single Action Army Cartridge Revolver, #72489, .44-40 CF cal., 7.5'' round barrel marked ''Colt's Pt. F. A. Mfg. Co. Hartford, CT. U.S.A.'' in one line, left frame with three-line 1871-72-75 patent dates, originally blued and case hardened finish, blued hammer with polished sides in the ''white'', blued trigger and screws; steel grip straps with one-piece varnished walnut grips. All visible serial numbers match, including ''2489'' on cylinder periphery; loading gate correctly marked ''6876'', later-style crescent-shaped ejector rod head. Mfg'd 1881. Left side of barrel has the ''Colt Frontier Six-Shooter'' etched panel; the corresponding ''44'' caliber designation appears in tiny numbers on bottom of barrel ahead of cylinder pin. A 2018-dated Colt factory letter accompanying this revolver states that it was shipped to E.K. Tryon, Jr. & Co., Phila., PA, on Oct. 22, 1881 in a shipment of 4 guns, and confirms all the above features but for the barrel length and grips, as 7.5'' and walnut were considered ''standard'' at the time. Condition is fine+, retaining approx. 60% darkening barrel blue, 40% cylinder blue, mostly in the flutes, and approx. 75-80% deep Colt blue to grip straps with wear mostly confined to backstrap; frame retains 50% case hardening, silvering and darkening. All markings are sharp; most screw heads retain their original bright fire blue. Walnut grips retain approx. 75% original glossy varnish with a patch of wear and loss to left side; ''Dr. S'' and ''1881'' were hand-scribed into bottom grip panels. Action is crisp, tight and positive; bore is bright with sharp rifling. Est.: $5,000-$7,500. (Antique)