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LOT 115
Excellent Pre-War Colt Single Action Army Revolver
with Factory Documented Carved Steerhead Grips
and Factory Letter - Serial no. 343243, 38 Colt cal., 5 1/2
inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, original grips.
According to the included factory letter, this revolver was one
of 2 shipped to Jack Rohan, address unavailable, on January 23,
1926. This letter confirms all the features, including the grips, listed as “Ivory
with carved steer head motif”. Blade front sight on barrel with standard one line
Colt address on top and “38 COLT” on the left side. A proper half moon ejector is
mounted on the barrel. Two line, three date patent markings on the beautifully
casehardened frame next to the uncircled Rampant Colt.
LOT 116
Desirable Framed Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Co. Spanish Version “Patches” Advertising Print - Produced in the mid to late 1920’s, from
an oil painting “Tex and His Horse, Patches” by Frank Schoonover, which depicts a western lawman on his horse, a Colt Single Action Army revolver with
ornate grip visible on his hip, amid desert scenery. This print is the scarce Spanish version with “REVOLVERES y PISTOLAS AUTOMATICAS” above “COLT” at the
top, “Frank E. Schoonover” signature and the date “’25” visible in lower right corner, with “Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Co./Hartford, Connecticut,
U.S.A.” markings in the lower middle. Mounted in an ornate wooden frame measuring approximately 48 1/4 x 34 3/4 inches, with the viewable area of the
advertisement measuring approximately 32 3/4 x 19 inches. Being in a sealed frame, we are unable to determine if the print has been trimmed.
CONDITION: Very fine, the print itself shows distinct original imagery and vibrant color with almost no wear or fading. The frame is also very fine with some
minor storage handling marks. A fantastic Colt advertising piece to enhance your gun room!
Provenance: The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
As listed, the grips are two piece ivory with
silver Rampant Colt medallions, smooth on the
left with the raised steer head on the right. Jack
Rohan was the author of the book “Yankee Arms
Maker The Story of Samuel Colt and his Six-Shot
Peacemaker”. Mr. Rohan, a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army,
described himself as a “professional newspaperman and an
amateur soldier”. Mr. Rohan started in small newspaper shops where
editors and reporters set type and ran presses in addition to their other
duties. He worked throughout the U.S. and various parts of the world as
an editor, reporter and roving correspondent. Between jobs he worked as
a locomotive machinist, peace officer, pistol instructor, public relations and
press agent. He fought in revolutions in Honduras, Nicaragua and Mexico
and served in both World Wars. In WWII at the rank of Lt. Colonel, he was on the
General Staff in Washington, D.C. and for a time after he retired he served as adviser to the Minister of Information in
Greece. He also authored several other books.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 98% of the original blue finish. Mild scratching and handling marks, concentrated on the
grip straps and ejector housing, along with some bright spots on the high edges. 97% original case colors are visible
on the proper areas, with the beginnings of silvering visible on the loading gate. The rear sight notch has been opened
slightly and the front sight has been taken down slightly for shooting purposes. The grips are also excellent, with a
beautiful aged color and light handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 8,500 - 12,000