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Colt Model 1878 44-40 SN: 42680

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 7,000.00 USD
Colt Model 1878 44-40 SN: 42680
Rare Colt 1878 Double Action revolver with factory Mother of Pearl grips. Manufactured 1899. 71/2" barrel. The standard one-line address is marked on top of the barrel and "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER" is on the left. The loading gate is numbered "10" The circled Rampant Colt is on the left of the frame, and the serial number is marked on the butt. It is fitted with blade and frame-top notch sights and a lanyard loop on the butt. The left grip panel is inscribed "B.F. Ratliff" Benjamin Franklin Ratliff was Born in 1838 in Alabama, served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War with the 20th Texas Infantry as a private until the end of the war. The revolver comes with a folder containing the Colt factory letter. research letter of the gun by the Western Historical Gallery, and the Bio of Ratliff. The revolver sold and shipped special order with one gun in the shipment to the Star Coke & Coal Company in West Virginia, via the Carlin & Fulton Hardware Co. in Maryland. The letter confirms the configuration, and finish, and that it was shipped with factory Mother of Pearl Grips. Paperwork states it is believed that Mr. Ratliff was a superintendent at Star at the time, he passed away in 1906 at the age of 68. According to Wilkerson's book on the Model 1878 colt, (Page # 273) this revolver is one of only six such model 1878's that were shipped directly from the factory with Mother of Pearl grips, making it super rare. The borer is fair, rifling present with small areas of light pitting, action is crisp/tight, the grips are very good with no cracks or chips, original blue finish is about 20%, with the rest turned a gray/brown patina, some small , light areas of pitting. The cylinder pin is in the white, appears to have been cleaned at some point. Comes in a very nice glass topped wooden display case lined with red material, with a vintage garter. A very interesting revolver. NRA Condition-Good. C&R Firearm.