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LOT 301
Extremely Rare Special Order Individual Shipped Colt Police Positive
Special Double Action Revolver with Documented Factory 1 1/4 Inch
Barrel, Factory Pearl Grips, Presentation Case, and Factory Letter -
Serial no. 278623, 38 Special cal., 1 1/4 inch round bbl., nickel finish, pearl
grips. Offered here is an outstanding example of a Colt Police Positive
Special with a factory documented, rare special order 1 1/4 inch barrel.
Standard barrel lengths for this model were 2, 4, 4 1/2, and 5 inches. The 1
1/4 inch barrel is confirmed in the included factory letter as well as another
special order feature, the pearl grips. The factory letter states the revolver
was shipped to John P. Roberts of Hartford, Connecticut,
on February 1, 1923 and confirms the 1 1/4 inch barrel in .38 Special, nickel
finish, and pearl grips. This was a single gun shipment. We rarely catalog
Colts shipped to a single individual. With a Hartford shipping address,
one wonders if John P. Roberts had a connection with the Colt factory.
The barrel correctly lacks markings. The side plate is stamped with the
Rampant Colt. While not listed in the factory letter, the hammer is bobbed
and appears to be another special order feature. It wears a set of Rampant
Colt silver medallion pearl grips. The leather bound case is fitted to the
revolver, is lined in purple velvet, and contains a bore brush, and a sealed
box of Remington-UMC .38 Long Colt.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 99% plus original nickel finish
with limited handling marks and grips with highly attractive fiery colors.
Mechanically excellent. The case is fine. An outstanding special order 1 1/4
inch barreled Colt Police Positive Special DA revolver well worthy of the
most advanced collections.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
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