Colt 1st Gen Intermediate Black Powder .44-40 Win. Frontier Six Shooter 4 3/4″ Revolver, 1884 Antique

SOLD FOR: $3,275.00
LSB#: 180918JR06

Make: Colt

Model: 1st Generation Intermediate Black Powder Frontier Six Shooter (3 Line 3 Date Patents)

Serial Number: 113305

Year of Manufacture: 1884

Caliber: .44-40 Winchester

Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. C^O / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”. The left side of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19. 1871. / “ JULY 2.–72. / “ JAN. 19.–75.”. The left side of the barrel has been etched with “FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER”. The underside of the frame at the grip frame and the grip frame just behind it are marked “113305”. The underside of the backstrap is marked “113 / 305”. The inside rear face of the loading gate is marked with the assembly number “1385”. The rear of the frame under the hammer is marked “1” and the left front of the trigger guard is marked “44 CAL”, which was stamped over the top of the extremely faint original marking. The rear face of the cylinder is marked “L”.

Barrel Length: 4 ¾”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a thin quarter-round blade fixed to the top of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V” groove in the top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is bone with a few shallow surface cracks in the bottom surfaces of the grip. The grip fits the frame well. There are only a few very light handling marks in the grip. The grip is in about Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: The finish is nickel with deep scroll engraving on all surfaces except for the front strap. Please see our pictures for a better idea of the coverage of the engraving. The cylinder pin, trigger and screw heads have been given a highly polished deep blue finish.

Finish Originality: The finish is not original to the revolver.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with light wear in the rifling. There is light erosion scattered throughout the bore with spots of moderate erosion near the muzzle.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 90% of its current metal finish. There are a few tiny spots of very light erosion in the cylinder flutes and traces of extremely light pitting under the finish of the cylinder and top strap. There are swirl marks in the surfaces along with a few light handling marks and a light, partial drag line in the cylinder. Many of the smooth areas are somewhat dull due to light polishing, giving the finish almost a satin nickel look. The hammer checkering shows moderate wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear but shallow in places and the caliber marking on the trigger guard has been re-stamped. Overall, this revolver rates in about Fine condition as refinished.

Mechanics: The action functions properly. The cylinder lock-up is SOLID on all six chambers. The trigger pull is crisp and the hammer is easily cocked. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The Colt Single Action Army handgun is a single action revolver with a revolving cylinder holding six rounds. It was designed for the US government service revolver trials of 1873 by Colt’s Manufacturing Company and adopted as the standard military service revolver until 1892. Although the SAA has been offered in over 30 different calibers and various barrel lengths, its overall appearance has remained consistent since 1873. Colt has discontinued its production twice, but brought it back due to excessive demand. This revolver is a 1st Generation Intermediate Black Powder Frontier Six Shooter model with a 4 ¾” barrel. The first caliber offering other than .45 Colt occurred in 1878 when the .44-40 Win. cartridge was offered, and Colt named such revolvers the “Frontier Six Shooter” to distinguish them from the Single Action Army revolvers chambered in .45 Colt. This revolver has been extensively scroll engraved and refinished in nickel, the cylinder pin, screw heads and trigger were given a bright deep blue finish, and the grip has been replaced with one of bone. This is a really nice-looking revolver, so please see our pictures! The revolver is in about Fine condition as refinished. The bore is gray with light wear in the rifling, light erosion scattered through the bore and spots of moderate erosion near the muzzle. The cylinder lockup is SOLID on all six chambers. All Colt SAA revolvers are collectible, with only the price decided by the finish. This revolver is VERY nice looking, and the bone grips really set off the engraved nickel finish. It would be hard to imagine a Colt collector passing up a chance to add this revolver to their collection.

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This Antique single action revolver CAN be transferred/sold in California. All cartridge firing handguns (even C&R’s and antiques) sold to a California resident must be DROS’d. This does not apply to out of state residents.