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LOT 3183
Rare Documented Antique
Factory Engraved Colt Sheriff’s Model 1878 Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter Pictured in “The William M. Locke
Collection” by Sellers - Serial no. 21149, 45 Long Colt cal., 4 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Designed by William
Mason and Charles Brinckerhoff, Colt’s factory manager and Superintendent of Engineering, the Model 1878 revolver was intended to be a double action
alternative to Colt’s legendary Single Action Army revolver. With 51,210 being produced, the 1878 was never nearly as popular as its single action cousin;
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE WILLIAM LOCKE COLLECTION BY SELLERS
however, there were still many that favored it in the West for its firepower, including
Captain Jack Crawford, who replaced Buffalo Bill Cody as “Chief of Scouts” shortly after the Battle
of Little Bighorn. Manufactured in 1888, this example features factory engraving primarily in the
Gustave Young style of punch-dot backed scroll designs and zig-zag line borders covering the top and sides of
the barrel, the cylinder between the flutes, and virtually all of the frame, along with starburst patterns scattered
throughout. The left side of the frame warrants specific note, as it features an attractive eight-pointed star, while the right side has spiral of scrollwork. The writer
believes the engraving to be the work of Gustave Young himself. This specific revolver is pictured at the top of p. 211 in “The William M. Locke Collection” by Frank
Sellers. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration including the 4 inch “sheriff’s” length barrel and the factory engraving (grips not listed), as well as shipment to Hartley & Graham in New York on 16 April 1888 as a one gun shipment. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address surrounded with zig-zag borders and scrollwork. The full serial number is marked on the butt and the matching partial serial number, “149”, is on the rear face of the cylinder. It is fitted with a blade front sight, frame top groove rear sight, and a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the tops.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina, some scattered light dings/handling marks, and crisp factory engraving overall. The grips are also fine showing some mild wear, minimal handling marks, and mostly well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The William M. Locke Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 3184
Documented Factory Engraved Black Powder Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 150652, 45 Long Colt cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, smooth grips. As a factory engraved example, this Peacemaker is
one of only around 388 factory engraved SAAs in the 1-164100 serial number range with a 4
3/4 inch barrel in .45 LC per the authors of “The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver 1873-1895” (page 333).
The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was sold to E. Bastian & Son (address unavailable) and shipped to Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. of Chicago, Illinois, on April 22, 1893 with a 4 3/4 inch barrel in .45 caliber, blue finish, factory engraving and type of stocks not listed. This was a single gun shipment. Much like the Colts of the western frontier, the Colts in the more industrialized parts of the
country were used both as status symbols and tools of protection. This example of the “Gentleman’s Colt” combines both prestige and power. The engraving is consistent with the work of famed Cuno Helfricht Shop and is mostly floral scrollwork on a punch dot background
along with fan motifs, zig-zag lines, and wavy lines. The barrel has the two-line Hartford address on top and “45 COLT” on the left side, the frame has the
three-line patent date markings, and matching serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap.
CONDITION: Very good as restored, retaining 30% of the dull refinished blue finish mostly in and around the sheltered areas with a smooth gray patina on the balance. Traces of case colors remain on the frame, and the hammer retains half of the muted case colors. The recut engraving is crisp. The period replacement grips are fine with age lines and attractive color. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
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