RARE & FINE Colt Open Top SIngle Action Revolver

RARE & FINE COLT OPEN TOP SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER
SN 3215, cal. 44RF
Standard configuration 7.5" barrel, German silver front blade sight, 1-line New-York U.S. America address. Rear sight is integral with top rear of barrel. Right side of the barrel housing has an attached ejector with early bull's eye ejector rod head. Cylinder is unfluted and straight sighted with Ormsby Naval battle scene roll marking and rectangular stop notches without approaches. Left side of the frame has 2-line 1871 and 1872 patent dates. The blued steel trigger guard and backstrap contain a smooth 1-pc walnut grip. Firing pin is attached to the hammer nose on the left side and secured with 2 rivets. Loading gate is in the right recoil shield with exposed spring. These revolvers were Colt's first truly successful attempt at a large bore cartridge revolver which were readily accepted by the American buying public and were immediately placed into service on the American Frontier. There were only about 7,000 of them produced in the 1871-1872 period and were supplanted by Colt's Single Action Army revolver. A very large number of these revolvers found their way to Mexico and other South and Central American countries where they remained in service many years along side the Henry and Winchester Model 1866 rifles and carbines utilizing the same .44 caliber ammunition.
CONDITION: Very good to fine overall, all matching numbers, appears all original and authentic. Traces bright blue original finish remain on housing and frame with stronger amounts of blue on the trigger guard and backstrap, balance of the metal is a smooth plum/gray patina. Grip is well fit showing hard wear with chipped toes. This revolver has a great western “honest as found” look. Mechanics are fine, crisp rifled pitted bore. This gun was reviewed by noted gun historian John Sexton.