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LOT 3083
Exceptional Factory Exhibition Quality Engraved Colt New Line .38 Spur Trigger
Revolver with Pearl Grips - Serial no. 327, 38 RF cal., 2 1/4 inch round bbl., nickel/gold
finish, pearl grips. This revolver was manufactured in 1874, two years before the World’s
Fair was held in the United States for the first time in celebration of the centennial of the
Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States. Fittingly, the Centennial
Exposition was held in Philadelphia. The Fair presented a tremendous advertising opportunity for
American arms companies like Colt and Winchester. Both displayed elaborate exhibition arms and took in
orders, including for high end deluxe arms. Colt’s famous display was perhaps the factory’s most spectacular display in its history,
and Colt’s smaller pocket revolvers were highly represented given they were just the type of firearms suited to those living in and visiting
the bustling late 19th century cities. Though this revolver bears the same level of embellishment as many of the revolvers displayed at the exposition, this specific example is not listed on the Oct. 15, 1877, ledger listing revolvers received by Henry Folsom & Co. from and returned to Colt that were previously part of Colt’s famous “wheel” display at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. The display was built in Hartford specifically for the exposition and received a lot of attention both at the World’s Fair itself and into the 21st century as collectors eagerly seek out the historic Colts that made up Colt’s most famous display. It is shown in multiple publications about Colt firearms, including Wilson’s books (for example, see page 172 of “Colt: An American Legend.”) Many of the “wheel” revolvers were later loaned to the Henry Folsom Co. of St. Louis and were returned to Colt in October 1877. Though this revolver may not have been part of the “wheel” display at the exposition, the writer believes it was likely a marketing piece supplied to a high end retailer by Colt. The engraving was probably executed by Cuno Helfricht and consists of primarily punch-dot backed intertwining vine scroll and floral engraving and the cylinder is gold plated. It is fitted the standard blade and groove sights, and a pair of smooth grips. The barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. CO./HARTFORD, CT. U. S. A.”, with the top line rolled slightly light. The lower left edge of the frame is marked “38 CAL.” Matching serial numbers are on the bottom of the barrel, rear of the cylinder, and left side of the grip frame, which is also marked “E/N” and “P” for “engraved” and “pearl”. An included request
for factory records on this revolver states that they were not able to locate any shipping information pertaining to this revolver, further reinforcing the writer’s belief that this revolver was provided to an affluent retailer for marketing purposes.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 95% plus of the original nickel finish, 50% of the original gold plating on the cylinder with some mild flaking, and 40% of the original nitre blue with crisp engraving overall. The grips are excellent with only the slightest handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500