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LOT 3232
Documented Texas Retailer Wolf & Klar Shipped Factory Engraved First Generation Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Inscription, Relief Carved Steer Head Pearl Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no. 344050, 45 Long Colt cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. Colt Single Action Army revolvers are among the most desirable of all American firearms. The Single Action Army itself is arguably the most iconic handgun in history, and 357,800 were manufactured prior to World War II. However, though many of the most famous SAAs were engraved, using the most liberal statistics, only 4,500 pre-war Colt Single Action Army revolvers were factory engraved. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped to famed Fort Worth, Texas, retailer Wolf & Klar on December 6, 1922, on factory order #6791/1. This was a single gun shipment. The letter verifies the 5 1/2 inch barrel in .45 caliber, nickel finish and factory engraving with the type of stocks not listed. The decorative work on the revolver bears Master Engraver William Gough’s profuse foliate scroll pattern with shading background lines. Star burst patterns are engraved behind each cylinder flute. A wavy line is engraved on top of the ejector rod housing. The engraving covers 50% of the surface. The name “J.F. GILL” is engraved on the back strap. The barrel has the standard one-line Hartford address on top and “45 COLT” on the left side. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking followed by a Rampant Colt. The revolver wears a set of pearl grips featuring a relief carved and jeweled eyed steer head on the right panel. Matching serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap.
Wolf & Klar was a prominent hardware, jewelry, and gun store that attracted Texas outlaws and lawmen among others. Gunmakers Colt and Smith
& Wesson counted the company as
one of their biggest customers. The
Wolf & Klar delivery, engraving, and steer
head carved grips suggest this Peacemaker
made it into the hands of a wealthy Texas rancher.
Interestingly, period Texas newspapers identify a J.F. Gill in
the horse business. The March 10, 1929, edition of the Fort
Worth Star-Telegram, for instance, reported that J.F. Gill of
Abilene entered five horses in the Southwestern Exposition
and Fat Stock Show. A few days later the newspaper reported
that J.F. Gill’s horse, Silver Dare, came in sixth.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 85% untouched
original nickel finish with a few scattered patches of smooth
dark patina. The engraving is crisp. The slightly oversized
retailer installed grips are very fine with a couple tiny chips, crisp
carving and attractive color. Mechanically excellent. A high condition
steer head carved pearl stocked Colt factory engraved pre-war SAA with
strong links to Texas that will make a grand statement in even the most advanced decorative arms collections.
Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000
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