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LOT 1081
Extremely Rare and Well-Documented Only Known Houston, Texas,
Retailer Dunlay & Geisler Shipped Special Order Factory Engraved Antique
Black Powder Colt Sheriff’s Model Single Action Army Revolver with Factory
Documented 4 1/2 Inch Ejectorless Barrel and Rocky Mountain Front Sight, Heiser
Holster Rig, Factory Letter, and Ron Graham Letter - Serial no. 143496, 45 Long Colt
cal., 4 1/ 2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, antique ivory grips. There are few
firearms that exude the character, grit, and style of the American frontier like the Colt Single
Action Army revolver. The revolver found itself almost immediately popular as a sidearm
upon its release in the mid-late 1800s, and that popularity continued well into the 20th century
among those with a desire for unwaveringly reliable firepower. This documented factory engraved
example certainly shows a certain flair that is often associated with the Wild West, having the look of a gun that
is not hard to imagine in the hand of a flamboyant wandering cowboy. Adding credence to this revolver’s potential
former life is the fact that the included factory letter lists it as having shipped to Dunlay & Geisler of Houston, Texas, on
January 7, 1892. This was a single gun shipment. The Colt Peacemaker is forever linked to Texas and the American West,
and no state retains as strong of a cowboy heritage as Texas. Offered here is a true piece of Americana!
Along with this shipment information, the factory letter confirms the 4 1/2 inch barrel in .45 caliber, blue finish, grip
material, Rocky Mountain front sight and factory engraving. Colt factory records show that SAA barrel lengths ranged
from 2 inches all the way up to 16 inches. However, 3, 4 3/4, 5 1/2, and 7 1/2 inches were the standard barrel lengths, making
all other lengths built to suit custom orders. On page 331 in “The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver 1873-
1895,” the authors accounted for only one engraved SAAs in the 1-164100 serial number range in this configuration (4 1/2 inch barrel, 45
caliber, ejectorless). The revolver is pictured and identified on page 274, and the revolver is cited as “the only revolver” in this configuration
found in the 1873-1895 time period. The authors provided addition information related to Dunlay & Geisler shipments. They wrote, “Dunlay
& Geisler, Houston, Texas, ordered a number of unusual Sheriff’s models. This company had evidently developed a market for short barreled
revolvers without ejectors as they dominated this field for the early part of the 1890’s. They had ordered 16 ejector-less revolvers in 1891,
most of which were standard Sheriff’s models without engraving or special features. Beginning in 1892, Dunlay & Geisler would special order a
number of deluxe engraved Sheriff’s models with special front sights...There is a good chance that the majority of Sheriff’s models with these
special sights were ordered by individuals in some area of law enforcement” (pages 273 and 275).
In his accompanying handwritten letter noted Colt historian and author Ron Graham recorded his observations related to this Colt rarity. He
confirms that the revolver is authentic and it is the only one known in its configuration. The revolver has, wrote Graham, “one-of-a-kind status.”
The scroll engraving is indicative of patterns used by Colt Master Engraver Cuno Helfricht and his shop. Fan pattern decorate the recoil shield
and loading gate, scroll and sun burst patterns alternate on the cylinder chambers, and zig-zag line motifs are seen throughout. The barrel has
the two-line Colt Hartford address on top and the caliber designation “45 COLT” in a banner on the left side. As confirmed by the factory letter
the barrel is fitted with an original factory special order Rocky Mountain German silver blade front sight. The revolver has the standard frame
notch rear sight. The two-line patent date marking is stamped on the left side of the frame followed by an encircled Rampant Colt. Matching
serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The brown leather holster rig is by H.H. Heiser of Denver, Colorado.
CONDITION: Very good plus, showing a classic evenly worn, well traveled appearance for a Colt SAA Sheriff’s Model delivered to the Texas
frontier. The engraving is crisp overall with wear at the contact points. The grip blends very well with the overall character of this revolver with
the wooden center block having been repaired. Mechanically functions, but the hammer only holds at the full cock position. The holster rig is fine.
A true piece of Americana, this one-of-a-kind Texas shipped special order factory engraved 4 1/2 inch barrel Sheriff’s Model revolver with Rocky
Mountain front sight is well worthy of the finest private or public collection.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 30,000 - 50,000
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