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LOT 1106
Excellent Documented Loan Account/Display Factory Engraved Colt Officer’s Model Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 313120, 38
cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, pearl grips. Manufactured in 1910, this is a very attractive example of a factory engraved Colt Officer’s Model Target revolver that was used for promotional purposes through Colt’s many distributors. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration including the pearl grips and factory engraving, as well as shipment on the “Loan Account” to Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. in Chicago on 28 February 1910. The letter goes on to state that this gun was a display piece, as the ledger shows being shipped on the loan account to various dealers. Highly embellished guns like this example would have been loaned out to the large dealers, distributors, and retailers of the time as promotional pieces to encourage sales. The engraving on this example consists of primarily vine and scroll on a punch dot background on the rear sides of the frame, diamond/checkerboard patterns on the lower sides of the frame, straight and wavy line borders, starburst patterns on the front sides of the frame and bottom of the trigger guard, floral scroll on the sides and top of the barrel, and a finely checkered
back strap. It is unclear who exactly the artist behind the engraving was, though many of the designs bear resemblance to styles by Rudolph Kornbrath, who is believed to have started at Colt as early as 1910. Wilbur Glahn and William Gough were also active engravers for Colt around the time and share some similar styles. The standard two-line address and patent dates are marked on top of the barrel with “OFFICERS’ MODEL .38” on the left. The left of the trigger guard is marked with “VP” and “3”. The left of the frame has the Rampant Colt over the “C” logo. It is fitted with a pinned beaded blade front sight, adjustable notch rear sight, and a pair of pearl grips with Colt medallions, the right panel having a relief carved steer head. CONDITION: Excellent, retains 90% plus of the bright, original, high polish blue finish and 80% plus of the original nitre blue on the trigger and hammer, with
the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina, primarily at the muzzle and on edges, and the engraving remaining crisp. The replacement grips are also excellent with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp carving. Mechanically excellent. A very attractive, factory engraved Colt Officer’s Model revolver that was used as a promotion piece by Colt!
Estimate: 20,000 - 35,000
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