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LOT 1178
Spectacular and Well-Documented Exhibition Quality Alvin White Signed Master Engraved and Gold Inlaid Inaugural Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum Gala Special Colt Third Generation
Single Action Army Revolver as Pictured in “The Colt Engraving Book: Volume II” with Pearl Grips, Presentation Case and Factory Letter - Serial no. SA09498, 45 cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, pearl grips. Colt’s Single Action Army is the most revered and venerable revolver to have ever graced the breadth of the American landscape. It became an instant icon of the Wild West in the hands of storekeepers, lawmen, banditos, and cattle rustlers alike. Since its inception, the Single Action Army has been seen on the hip of a multitude of history’s greatest characters who risked
life and limb to make their place in an unfolding new world. This example was created to commemorate an institution which has kept the spirit of the American West alive: The Autry National Center of the American West (formerly the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum). The factory letter lists this revolver as
having been shipped in .45 Long Colt with a 7 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish and grips not listed when shipped
to Outdoor Sports Headquarters Inc. in Willowbrook, Illinois, on January 23,1979. The revolver was subsequently masterfully engraved and gold inlaid by Master Engraver Alvin White. Nearly all surfaces of this revolver display floral scroll engraving on a punchdot background with a gold inlaid band at each end of the
barrel and rear of the cylinder, gold inlaid outline on either side of the frame and top of the trigger guard terminating in light scrolls and flourettes, gold inlaid floral scroll on the hammer, a relief gold inlaid rendition of the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum on the left of the barrel with all of the barrel markings inlaid
as well as “Annual Gala/Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum” on the right side. The frame markings and serial number have also been gold inlaid along with a flying hawk over a field on the recoil shield. The partially fluted cylinder has the museum’s logo on the left side and a relief inlaid Stetson hat on the right. The right side of the trigger guard under the grip bears White’s hand cut “AAW” initials. The revolver wears a set of smooth pearl grips. This revolver is pictured on page 669 of R. L. Wilson’s “The Colt Engraving Book: Volume II”. Includes
a presentation case marked “***/GENE AUTRY WESTERN HERITAGE MUSEUM/GALA SPECIAL COLT REVOLVER/ NOVEMBER 18TH 1991/SERIAL NO. SA09498/GOLD INLAID AND ENGRAVED/BY ALVIN A.WHITE/***”, a generic hard case, and a copy of both volumes of
“The Colt Engraving Book”.
CONDITION: Excellent as elaborately embellished by Master Engraver Alvin A. White, retaining 99% plus blue finish with minimal handling marks and crisp engraving. Mechanically untested as a screw has been added to prevent the hammer from moving. Don’t miss out on
a chance to add this celebration of the iconography of the West to your Colt Single Action Army collection! Estimate: 25,000 - 40,000