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LOT 3375
Documented
Factory
Engraved Colt Army Special
Revolver with Pearl Grips and Factory Letter -
Serial no. 324917, 41 Long Colt cal., 4 1/2 inch round
bbl., blue finish, pearl grips. The accompanying
factory letter lists this revolver in .41 caliber with a
4 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, factory engraving, and grips
not listed and indicate it was shipped to Norvell Shapleigh
Hardware Co. of St. Louis, Missouri, on July 1, 1912, in a
shipment of 10 guns of this type. The engraving patterns seen are nearly identical to those found on others engraved Army Specials out of Cuno Helfricht’s shop, but you rarely find this model with factory engraving. 60% of the surface features engraved scrollwork on punch dot background patterns accented with floral blossoms and geometric motifs of entwining lines, zig zag lines, and dots. It has standard Colt markings and smooth pearl grips.
CONDITION: Very good with 30% original blue finish, brown
patina on the balance, some mild pitting, and general mild wear.
The replacement grips are also very good and have attractive
natural colors, minor flakes at the edges, and light handling wear. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
designation in 1904. The rear of the cylinder has been stamped with crossed pennant “DPC” proofs, and the left side of the barrel and frame bear “crown/GP” and “crown/V” proofs, crossed pennants and broad arrows, with “D.V. THOMSON/7th A.&S.H.” on
the left sideplate. While not documented, the 7th A.&S.H. is likely the 7th Battalion
of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, a line infantry formation created in 1881 by amalgamating the 91st and 93rd Regiments, the latter being the “Thin Red Line” of the Battle of Balaclava. For World War One the Highlanders served on multiple fronts, with components of the 7th deployed both on the Western Front and in Britain. Research
shows an officer named D.V. Thomson with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, in particular noting a temporary promotion from 2nd Lieutenant to full Lieutenant
in 1916. Additionally, the top of the frame behind the hammer is marked “10.23/3 COY/7. C.M.G.B./2”, indicating the 3rd Company of the 7th Canadian Machine Gun Brigade, which was established in 1919. Fitted with a set of checkered grips with “COLT” imprints at the top.
CONDITION: Very good, with 40% of the blue finish, showing a number of light scratches and dents, bright holster wear on the high points and the sides of the barrel
and cylinder, scattered oxidization, and areas of brown and gray patina concentrated on the grip frame. A dent is present on the muzzle crown, which does not appear to affect the
bore or rifling. The replacement grips are good, with a chip absent from the left toe and mild scratches. Cylinder
timing is a bit off, otherwise mechanically very good. 222 Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3377
Factory Engraved Colt Army Special Double Action
Revolver - Serial no. 304845, 32-20 WCF cal., 6 inch
round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. The included
factory letter indicate that no records were available for this
revolver, but this revolver was factory engraved under Cuno
Helfricht and engraving nearly identical to other Army Specials
confirmed as factory engraved such as serial numbers 320129 and
338638 previously sold by Rock Island Auction Co. in recent years. The engraving consists of scroll engraving with some beaded accents, line patterns, a floral bloom around the hammer screw head on the right, and wavy line and track line patterns along the frame below the cylinder. The other markings and features are standard.
CONDITION: Very good with 20% original blue finish, smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, distinct engraving and markings, and general mild overall wear. The right grip has a chip at the toe, but the grips are otherwise good with mild wear. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3376
Colt New Service Revolver with Royal Northwest Mounted Police and Multiple Canadian and
British Unit Markings - Serial no.
75467, 455 cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1915, this Colt New Service revolver bears
the standard commercial markings, with the
addition of a number of distinctive British and Canadian markings. The
right side of the frame bears a “broad arrow in C” Canadian proofmark, with the “RNWMP” marking of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police
on the spine. One of the parent organizations of the modern Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the RNWMP received the “Royal”
LOT 3378
Excellent
Documented 1941
Shipped New Hampshire State Guard Marked
Colt Official Police Double Action Revolver with Factory Box and Factory Letter - Serial no. 670043, 38 Special cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. The included factory letter confirms this revolver’s current configuration as chambered for “.38/c” with
a 6 inch barrel, blue finish, and stocks not listed. The letter also confirms that the revolver was factory engraved with “N.H.S.G.”
(New Hampshire State Guard) on the butt before being included
in a shipment of 24 to the Adjutant General of New Hampshire for Capt. Frank T. Ripley of Concord, New Hampshire, on July 29, 1941. Features round blade front and frame notch rear sights. The barrel is marked on the left with “COLT OFFICIAL/POLICE 38” and the two-line Colt address on top. The trigger guard is marked with “VP” and “Y” proofs on the left side. The number “4” is scratched into the left side of the frame upside down just above the thumb latch. Fitted
with a set of unnumbered checkered walnut grips with silver
colt medallions. Also includes an original Colt box with faint possibly matching serial number on the bottom
and a cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 97% plus original
blue finish with a minor cylinder drag line, faint spotting
on the gripstraps, minimal handling marks, and crisp grip checkering. The box is fine. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500