LETTERED Antique NEW YORK ENGRAVED COLT “Open Top” Revolver PEARL GRIPS Colt’s Answer to Smith & Wesson’s No. 1 Revolver

Product Description

LETTERED Antique NEW YORK ENGRAVED COLT “Open Top” Revolver PEARL GRIPS   

Colt’s Answer to Smith & Wesson’s No. 1 Revolver

Here we present an antique Lettered New York Engraved Colt Open Top .22 Pocket Revolver, made in 1875 in Hartford, Connecticut, with a production run from 1871 through 1877. These revolvers were made for self-defense. They were introduced in 1871, shortly after the Smith & Wesson held Rollin White Patent expired, opening the floodgates to a hungry market that had been dying to fully implement metallic cartridge firearms loaded into a totally bored through cylinder. From 1857 to 1869 Smith & Wesson had exclusivity with these concepts and rightfully dominated the marketplace. The idea was to provide the commercial market with a very small and concealable firearm.

Not everyone was a cowboy and carried Colt’s Single Action Army in the Wild West days. Many civilians may not have carried if not for something that they could stick in their pocket, purse or muff, much like today. The Open Top was relatively successful for a time, with 7 shots of .22 rimfire, but production ceased by about 1877 due to very stiff competition from a plethora of companies making similar but cheaper versions known today as “Suicide Specials”.

As mentioned, this revolver was manufactured in 1875 and has New York style floral engraving. It includes a factory letter confirming the caliber, barrel length, finish, and shipment to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham in New York on July 1, 1875 as part of a 100 gun shipment. Schuyler, Hartley & Graham was the largest firearms dealer in the United States in 1860. Jacob Rutsen Schuyler (1816-1887), Marcellus Hartley (1828-1902) and Malcolm Graham (1832-1899) incorporated their company on March 1, 1854. In 1876 Schuyler retired from the company and by 1880 they changed the name to Hartley and Graham.

The overall condition is fine. Original nickel and blue finish. Clear engraving. The action is excellent. The bore is in very good condition with sharp rifling. Solid mother of pearl grips.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 2-3/8 inches.

Caliber: .22 Rimfire

Overall condition as seen in photos.

Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. Delivered directly to your door by express mail!

Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.

www.ancestryguns.com

$1800
#240197