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LOT 3314
Documented Factory Sample Colt Cutaway Police Positive Special Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter from the Colt Archive Collection - Serial no. 784626, 38 special cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured circa 1961. Confirmed by the included Colt factory letter this revolver was kept by the Colt factory as a sample and display piece of a cutaway version of this revolver. The letter also confirms the caliber, barrel length, finish, checkered walnut grips with nickel Rampant Colt medallion on right panel, cutaway features on both sides of the frame and factory fitted cylinder to a frame whose serial number was ground down. The serial
number is retained on the crane, and the barrel has standard Colt markings. CONDITION: Fine. The revolver retains 70% original blue finish with the balance a smooth brown-gray patina. There is a patch of light pitting on the right side of the frame. The grips are very good with extensive minor handling marks and some wear in the checkering. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The Colt Factory Archive Collection. Estimate: 2,500 - 3,500
LOT 3315
Only Known Six Prototype Winchester Double Action Revolver Sintered Metal Frame Blanks -A) Winchester Sintered Metal Double Action Frame Blank - Serial no. 1, none marked , absent bbl., bright finish, absent grips. Winchester Repeating Arms manufactured less than 10 experimental double action revolvers in the early 1960s in response to a proposal from the Bellmore- Johnson Tool Company to produce a sintered metal revolver frame. Bellmore- Johnson was a WRA contractor. The company was involved with sintered metal process in which powdered metal is compressed to produce a shaped part without extensive machine work. Bellmore-Johnson persuaded WRA to manufacture several experimental double action revolvers that utilized sintered metal frames. Winchester abandoned the experiment shortly after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in November 1963. Revolver serial number 5 in .22 caliber and revolver serial number 1 in caliber .38 Special are the only known Winchester double action revolvers in existence. Both of these revolvers were sold by RIAC in our Premier Firearms Auction no. 32 (see lots 1529 and 1530).
Offered here is a set of six sintered metal frame blanks for the prototype sintered metal revolver. These frame blanks illustrate each step in the frame machining process. Four of the blanks are in the cast state and have no or minimal machine work. The other two blanks appear to be fully machined and ready for final
finish and component assembly (see frame “A” and “F”). Each blank is individually numbered 1-6 and has a “W” stamped on the inside of the frame. These are the only known examples of sintered metal frame blanks for the prototype Winchester double action revolver. Nearly 90 years earlier Winchester had first attempted to get in the revolver market, but this program was also abandoned before going
to production.
CONDITION: Very fine, with a few scattered areas of discoloration to the original in the white
metal surfaces.
B) Winchester Sintered Metal Double Action Frame Blank - Serial no. 2, None Marked , absent
bbl., bright finish, absent grips. See “A.”
CONDITION: Excellent, with some slight discoloration to the original in the white metal surfaces.
C) Winchester Sintered Metal Double Action Frame Blank - Serial no. 3, none marked , absent bbl., bright finish,
absent grips. See “A.”
CONDITION: Excellent, with some slight discoloration to the original in the white metal surfaces.
D) Winchester Sintered Metal Double Action Frame Blank - Serial no. 4, none marked , absent bbl., bright finish, absent grips. See “A.”
CONDITION: Excellent, showing the slightest discoloration to the original in the white metal surfaces.
E) Winchester Sintered Metal Double Action Frame Blank - Serial no. 5, none marked , absent bbl., bright finish, absent grips. See “A.”
CONDITION:
Very fine, with a few scattered areas of discoloration to the original in the white metal surfaces.
F) Winchester Sintered Metal Double Action Frame Blank - Serial no. 6, none marked , absent bbl., bright finish, absent grips. See “A.”
CONDITION: Excellent, with some slight discoloration to the original in the white metal surfaces. This set of six prototype double action revolver sintered metal frame blanks is a one-of-a kind original piece of Winchester heritage that is a must have for the serious Winchester collector!
Provenance: The Peter & Patty Murray Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
244 Estimate: 8,000 - 14,000