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LOT 153
Exceptional First Year Production Colt House Model “Cloverleaf” Spur Trigger Revolver - Serial no. 1341, 41 RF cal., 3 inch round bbl., blue/silver finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1871, the first year of production, less than 10,000 of these revolvers
were produced in total. Officially called the Colt House Model revolver, they are also
referred to by a couple nicknames, one being “the Cloverleaf Model”, due to the uniquely shaped cylinder. The other
name the revolvers have is “the Jim Fisk Model”, due to being the gun used in the murder of the wealthy New York financier, Jim Fisk. The top of the barrel has the standard two-line address flanked by Maltese crosses. The matching serial number is marked on the butt, bottom of the barrel, and in ink inside each grip panel. It has a pinched blade front sight and frame top groove rear sight, and is fitted with a
pair of nicely figured smooth walnut grips. CONDITION: Rare with any finish, this is an exceptionally fine example exhibiting 90% of the bright original blue finish and 75% plus of the original
silver “wash” finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina or attractively aged brass. The highly figured varnished walnut grips are excellent with a few scattered light handling marks and retaining most of the varnish. Mechanically excellent. These early production Colt House Model revolvers are rarely
found with this much of the original bright blue and silver finish!
Provenance: The Pete Holder Collection; The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 154
Historic Very Scarce Brass Frame
Factory Engraved and Inscribed Colt No. 2 Derringer with Documents - Serial no. 1512,
41 RF cal., 2 1/2 inch irregular bbl., blue/silver
finish, walnut grips. One of approximately 9,000
manufactured from 1870 to 1890, the vast majority made with iron frames. This
example however was manufactured with a Colt reworked brass frame which was originally made by The National Arms Company. When Colt purchased The National Arms Company is 1870, they brought over Edwin Steven, an employee of the former
company, who continued assembling derringers from parts already produced by the acquired company. The exact number of these brass frame derringers assembled is unknown, but they are incredibly scarce. In an included document the consignor notes that he was aware of only five brass framed No. 2 derringers, four of which were in his collection. Adding to its rarity, this specific derringer is factory engraved as well as inscribed. It has the standard two- line address and “No2” model marking on the top barrel flat flanked by Maltese crosses. There are flourishes of factory floral scroll engraving on the sides of the frame and the back strap. The matching serial number is marked on the butt and on the bottom of the barrel. The back strap on this example is inscribed “HEZ McKINNEY”. Included documentation lists a Hezekiah McKinney as a railroad conductor employed by the Hartford Railroad and the N.Y., N.H. & Hartford Railroad. It is fitted with blade and hammer notch sights, and a pair of checkered walnut grips that have the matching serial number in ink inside both panels. CONDITION: Fine, the barrel showing a mixture of grey and brown patina while the frame retains 40% of the original silver finish with the balance brass, both showing an attractively aged patina. The grips are very fine with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A very scarce Colt derringer variation that will not be found in many of even the most extensive collections! Provenance: The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000 139