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LOT 1152
Exceptional Documented Cole Agee Cattle Brand Engraved Gold Plated First Generation Colt Single Action
Army Revolver with Letter from Arnold Chernoff and Photographed in “The Colt Engraving Book” by R.L. Wilson
- Serial no. 312252, 32 WCF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., gold finish, pearl grips. This is an outstanding example of a 1910
manufactured first generation Colt Single Action Army revolver that subsequently received a full custom engraving in
the traditional Texas cattle brand pattern by Cole Agee and carried on by Weldon Bledsoe. In fact, the engraving on this
revolver is that of the master himself, Cole Agee, as stated in the accompanying 1983 dated letter for firearms consultant
Arnold Chernoff. Chernoff wrote, “There is no question in my mind that the cattle brand design on the engraving was done
by the world-famous engraver of the 1950s, Cole Agee. Agee was famous for doing this cattle brand design work, then
gold plating the pistols in heavy gold plate. The gun you showed me is a typical example of Agee’s fine work.” In the article
“A Tribute to the American Cowboy and the Western Frontier” published in the November 1994 issue of The Gun Report,
Dick Staff noted, “At the time of his death, Cole Agee was known by his widow to have engraved 15-20 ‘cattle brands.’” This
highly desirable pattern was developed in the 1940/50s and depicted the more prominent and historic Texas cattle brands
used in the 1880s and early 1900s. The engraving covers nearly all of the surface and is in the typical western style, all on
a punch dot background. The barrel carries the one-line Hartford address on top and “32 WCF” in a banner on the left side.
The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking followed by an encircled Rampant Colt. Matching serial
numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. Matching assembly numbers appear on the loading gate
and rear of the frame. The revolver wears a set of highly attractive two-piece pearl grips. The revolver was purchased from
Douglas R. Carlson by Brig Pemberton in 1985. It is photographed on page 703 of “The Colt Engraving Book, Volume II” by
R.L. Wilson. This further documents the significance of this most celebrated of all Cole Agee’s cattle brand
engraving Colt SAA revolvers!
CONDITION: Very fine as Cole Agee
engraved, retaining 98% plus of the
gold plating with slight muzzle and
edge wear. The engraving is crisp. The
grips are excellent with highly attractive
fiery colors. This impressive Cole Agee
cattle brand Colt Single Action Army
revolver stands as a grand tribute to the American cowboy on the western frontier.
Provenance: The Douglas R. Carlson Collection; The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection.
Estimate: 20,000 - 30,000
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE COLT
ENGRAVING BOOK VOL. TWO BY WILSON
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