Page 154 - 4092-BOOK1-FLIPBOOK

It is, in line of being all original factory the best Single Action presentation Colt I have handled.” In 1961, Dexter was offering the revolver for sale at $500.
How times have changed!
The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was sold and shipped to famed Chicago retailer Von Lengerke & Antoine and confirms the 5 1⁄2 inch barrel in .45 caliber, grip material, carved steer head on grip, and factory engraving with “H.O.M.” on butt. Although not documented in the factory letter, Wilson concluded the Marble Sheard 40 beaded blade front sight and ejector rod marking are factory special order features. The barrel, frame, cylinder flats, top and heel of the back strap, and trigger guard bow are decorated with floral scroll engraving with finely stippled background. The top of the ejector rod housing and rear of the cylinder are decorated with a simple snake line. As confirmed in the factory letter, the butt carries the engraved “H.O.M” initials. The side of the ejector rod housing is hand inscribed “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER,” a very unusual feature considering the marking was reserved for SAAs in .44-40 WCF and this SAA is chambered in .45 LC. As stated, the original silver Rampant Colt medallion grip features a relief steer head carved on the right panel. Colt historian and author R.L. Wilson noted that only “a few” SAAs had factory hand carved steer head motif grips. The back of the left grip panel is hand marked in ink “H.O. MARIETTA.” The back of the right grip panel is hand marked in ink “H.O. MARIETTA/DES PLAINES/ILL.” The left side of the barrel is marked “45 COLT” amongst the scrollwork. The top of the barrel has
the one-line Hartford address. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking followed by a Rampant Colt. The left side of the trigger guard has the number “3” above the Colt factory triangle proof. The original Colt factory box is renumbered to the gun and has traces of an engraved label. Also included is a bore brush and “Shooting Suggestions” pamphlet. Other included items: two Von Lengerke catalogs (1923/24 and 1933) and a few receipts from the famed Chicago retailer, circa 1934. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 95% plus original blue with period modified front sight and some muzzle and high edge wear. The frame and hammer retain 98% of the vivid original case colors. The engraving is crisp. The grips are also excellent with crisp carving and highly attractive color and grain. Mechanically excellent. The box is fine with much of the end label remaining. The condition, factory engraving with initials
of the identified original owner, factory carved steer head grips, and box makes for an undeniable rarity in Colt collecting that will be nearly impossible to improve upon. Provenance: Harry O. Marietta; F. Theodore Dexter; The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection.
Estimate: 65,000 - 95,000
152