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LOT 139
Colt Police Positive Double Action Revolver with Letter
of Documentation and Holster - Serial no. 205261, 32 police cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1924. Features fixed blade front and notch rear sights, with the two line manufacturer address on top of the barrel with the model and caliber markings on the left side. the left
side of the trigger guard is marked “VP” and “3,” with the “Rampant Colt” logo marked on the left side of the frame. Fitted with a pair of matching checkered walnut grips with silver Colt medallion inserts, with
each numbered “205261” in pencil on the interior. Includes a brown leather holster marked “BIFFAR/ CHICAGO” and “345 PPS 385.” Includes a signed letter from Auction Productions Inc. of Humboldt,
Arizona, in which the pistol is purported to have been the former property of Giuseppe Shilla, an immigrant from Colabria, Italy, who was a part time driver for Don Franco, a member if Al Capone’s Chicago based crime
family. Shilla was allegedly given the revolver by Franco for “family protection.” The letter notes that this information was relayed to a noted California based collector who purchased both the revolver and holster in the Chicago area. CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 97% plus original blue finish with light edge wear on the muzzle and barrel, a
slight cylinder drag line, and a few small areas of faint spotting on the back grip strap. The grips are very fine with rich added oil finish and crisp checkering. The holster is very fine with slight cracking and supple leather. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 140
Pair of Colt New Service Flattop Double Action Target Revolvers in 455 Eley in a Fitted
Colt Pall Mall London Case with British Proofmarks -A) Colt New Service Flattop Target
Revolver - Serial no. 21946, 455 Eley cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This
is a beautiful pair of Colt New Service Flattop Target revolvers in .455 Eley with full British
proofmarks in a fitted carrying case with the rare Colt Pall Mall, London address inside. These
pistols are serial numbered 21946 and 21951 and were originally owned by the late Val Forgett
of Navy Arms fame. They were shipped to England as indicated by the full British import/firing
proofs of the London proof house on the left rear section of the barrels, the frames (in the same area), and again on each of the cylinder flutes. The top of the barrels are marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG.CO. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A./PAT’D. AUG.5.1884. JUNE 5 1900, JULY 4.1905.”, and the left side of each barrel is marked with the designation: “NEW SERVICE 455 ELEY”. Gun “B” is proof marked for 6 tons. The frames are the later Flattop Target style with the stylized Rampant Colt inside the stylized “C” markings on the side plate behind the cylinder latch of each revolver. Gun A has a “S” stamp on the left side of the frame above the “VP” proofmark on the trigger guard. The full serial numbers are located on the inside of the frames and the inside of the cylinder cranes, and the back of each grip panel is marked with a full serial number in pencil (which would be the correct factory style at this time) but do not match the revolvers. These revolvers have the earlier Colt high polish commercial blue finish with the scarce fully checkered walnut grips in a fleur-de-lis pattern with no Colt medallions. They are fitted with the factory target sights adjustable for elevation and windage, and the grip straps, trigger face, and hammer spur are hand checkered. They are housed in an original Colt canvas and leather bound case with the label noted above inside the lid. The case has compartments for the two revolvers, cleaning equipment, and accessories.
CONDITION: Fine overall with 75% plus of the original Colt high polish blue finish showing wear on the front and rear grip straps and some loss on the bottom of the trigger guard. This pistol exhibits the typical light surfaces scratches and edge and high spot wear overall from handling. The grips are in near excellent condition with nice checkering and minor handling marks. The case is very good with wear and staining overall. The label is complete. Mechanically excellent.
B) Colt New Service Flattop Target Revolver - Serial no. 21951, 455 Eley cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Described in A.
CONDITION: Fine overall with 70% of its original Colt blue finish. There is more finish on the front and rear grip straps
and rear section of the frame and more flaking and browning on the sides of the barrel and one side of the cylinder from handling and/or sitting in the case along with a light cylinder drag line. The grips are very good and have nice checkering with minor pressure dents and dings on both sides. Mechanically excellent. This is a very nice attractive pair of Colt New Service Flattop Target revolvers in a rare Colt Pall Mall addressed case.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
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