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Colt 1871 Open Top 1st Model Revolver with Rare Ejector, Not SAA First Year Production
Guns International #: 101150473 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Colt Revolvers - Antique - Antique Revolvers - Cartridge
Seller's Information
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Seller: Brent Wilburn
Company: Antique Arms, Inc.
Member Since: 11/19/15
First Name: Brent
Last Name: Wilburn
State: Georgia
Zip: 30052
Country: United States
Phone: (678) 471-1432
Phone2: (678) 471-1432
Premium Seller
Number of Active Listings: 45
Total Number of Listings: 584
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Money Order, Certified Check
Description:
Colt Model 1871 Open Top
Rare very early Colt Model 1871 Open Top Revolver in .22 caliber with integral ejector housing on the barrel and first style high spur hammer, seven-shot cylinder. This one has the 2 3/8" Barrel instead of the 2 7/8" which I believe is the scarcer of the two factory lengths. Nickel plated with varnished walnut grips. This revolver cost $12.00 with nickel full nickel plated finish compared to $10 for blue/bare brass frame back in the early 1870's. That was A LOT of Money back then! This was Colt's First .22 Caliber Cartridge Revolver that went into production as soon as the Smith and Wesson controlled Rollin White Patent expired in 1871. Rollin White nearly had his patent extended via Congress but President Grant refused to sign off on it. The result was that every manufacturer of revolvers was now finally in the cartridge gun business. Being a 7 shooter, the Open Top was obviously meant to go up against the Smith and Wesson Model One, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Issue Tip Up Revolvers. As the Smith and Wessons had static ejector rods mounted underneath their barrels to shove out spent casings, Colt decided to one up their competition with a side mounted ejector rod assembly so the cylinder could be unloaded without having to be removed. Just a few thousand of these early ones were built before Colt almost certainly had to cut production costs. as rather than S&W, Colt's real competition was a tidal wave of more cheaply made pocket revolvers by other New England competitors such as Hopkins and Allen and Forehand and Wadsworth. To cut down on mfg costs, Colt eliminated the ejector housing and rod with its hand checkered thumbpiece. The housing was actually formed integrally to the barrel wall . As collectors, we tend to overlook the Open Top in favor of later models with improvements but historically, this Model was one of the very first cartridge revolvers offered by Colt M'fg in 1871 following the Rollin White patent restriction for bored through cylinders..
J.H. Johnston of the Great Western Gunworks had this to say about this new Colt in its 1873 mail order catalog (See photo):
COLT'S NEW MODEL BREECH-LOADING SEVEN SHOT POCKET REVOLVER
Is loaded at the breech without removing the cylinder; the shell extractor is attached to the pistol; it uses either the long or short No.1 or 22-100 cartridge; whole length of pistol 6 inches; weight, 8 ounces; 3 inch rifled, steel barrel, rosewood handle; silver plated frame. This pistol is the latest improvement and we can recommend it as one of the best, if not the best ever brought out.
Price, with 100 cartridges,......................................$10.00
Full nickel plated, with 100 cartridges........................12.00
This particular revolver is in the 2400 serial range which dates it to first year production.Overall Condition grades to NRA Antique Excellent with 94% Original nickel remaining with a little flaking around the muzzle, front of cylinder, a just a hint of brass peaking through the nickel around the edge of the left side plate. Gripstraps still have all of their original nickel. High hump hammer has nearly all its original nickel with excellent checkering. Very Good screws and pins throughout. Original grips are Excellent Overall, 95% original varnish no chips, cracks, or repairs. For a .22 Cal from the 19th century, it has a surprisingly Good bore. Usually, they're pretty rough but this one has all the rifling intact, not dark, no major pits. Action works and indexes well but being made in 1871 with a brass frame, I would caution anyone attempting to fire this with modern smokeless ammo. It is designed for black powder only.
Price: $1995
Antique: Yes
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1871
Caliber Info: 22
Condition: Excellent
Finish: Nickel Plated
Manufacture Date: 1871