#45997, cal. .44-40. The factory barrel is slightly short at 7 3/8″ (1/8″ shorter than the original factory length of 7.5″ due to filing off dings at the muzzle). The surface of the barrel was cleaned long ago and the barrel has an even plum patina with a legible factory address and no trace of the etched barrel panel remaining. The serial numbers match on the frame, gripstraps, barrel, and cylinder—the last two parts have only the last digit of the serial number remaining and are definitely original to the gun. The barrel has a dark bore with worn rifling. The cylinder revolves properly, the hammer safety notch is worn and the trigger spring is broken. One backstrap screw is missing. The ejector housing is a later replacement and retains factory blue on the protected areas, the ejector rod head is the later crescent style and is gunsmith made. The frame patent markings are mostly legible and the surfaces have a mixed dark gray patina, as do the gripstraps, cylinder, and hammer. The ‘one-piece’ walnut grip is a non-factory replacement that fits well and is in fine condition with an inlaid sterling silver Texas Ranger-style badge in the right side. This is a good example of the ‘Frontier Six Shooter’ popular in the Old West. Included is a Colt factory letter indicating this was shipped to Schuyler, Hartley, & Graham in New York City on June 15, 1878.
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