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LOT 3210 Very Rare Factory Engraved Colt New Pocket .32 Double Action Revolver - Serial no. 13055, 32 cal., 2 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, antique ivory grips. Manufactured in 1899, this is a very scarce example of a factory engraved Colt New Pocket .32 double action revolver. On p. 370 of “The Book of Colt Firearms”, Sutherland and Wilson note that only 15 New Pocket model revolvers are listed in the ledger as being factory engraved. They go on to note that these revolvers displayed the typical contemporary engraving designs seen on other Colt revolvers at the time. Cuno A. Helfricht was the main Master Engraver at the time this revolver was made, and the engraving on this example is almost certainly by him. The engraving covers more than 75% of the surfaces including the sides of the frame, cylinder, and barrel, and it features mostly floral scroll on a punchdot background. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address and patent dates while the left of the barrel is marked “COLT NEW POLICE 32”. The left of the frame is marked with the Rampant Colt, with “COLT’S” and “NEW POCKET” above and below it. It is fitted with a blade front sight, groove rear sight, and a pair of smooth grips.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% plus of the original blue finish with some light edge/high
spot wear and crisp engraving overall. The grips are excellent with a couple hairline age cracks on the right panel and otherwise only the slightest handling marks. Mechanically fine. A rare opportunity to add one of only 15 factory engraved Colt New Pocket revolvers to your collection! Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 3211
Very Fine Factory Engraved Colt Police Positive Special Double Action Revolver with Pearl Grips -
Serial no. 387198, 38 Special cal., 4 inch round bbl., blue finish, pearl grips. Manufactured c. 1929, an included letter from the factory states that this revolver was received at the shipping room on 23 July 1929, but that no further records could be located. This incredibly attractive Colt Police Positive Special has approximately 75%
coverage floral scroll engraving that was undoubtedly executed at the factory, and likely by Colt Factory Master Engraver, Wilbur Glahn. Other similar examples of Glahn’s work on Colt double action revolvers can be found on p. 404-414 of
“Colt Engraving” by R.L. Wilson. Glahn was responsible for the majority of Colt’s high end engraving from 1919 until 1950.
The engraving on this example consists of primarily traditional floral scroll on a stippled background. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address and patent date, while the left is marked with the model and caliber. The left rear of the frame has a Rampant Colt in a hand engraved oval. It is fitted with a blade front sight, groove rear sight, and a pair of smooth pearl grips with Colt medallions.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% plus of the original blue finish with wear
at the muzzle, on edges/high spots, and on the grip straps, mostly thinning
to a smooth grey patina. The engraving remains crisp overall. The grips are
excellent with only the slightest handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
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