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LOT 1097
Cuno Helfricht Deluxe Factory Engraved “Masterpiece” Colt First Generation Single
Action Army Revolver with Pearl Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no. 336275, 38 WCF
cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, pearl grips. This stunning Colt Single
Action Army revolver was shipped in 1917 during the height of World War I and features
documented beautiful deluxe factory engraving from Master Engraver Cuno Helfricht who
was head of Colt’s engraving shop from 1871 to 1921. The art nouveau inspired engraving
consists of extensive scrollwork with beaded backgrounds, crosshatch panels, relief
engraved shell and fan motifs on the left recoil shield, wavy line borders, and more. The
engraving covers 80% or more of the metal surfaces. The barrel has the “38 W.C.F.” caliber
marking in an engraved banner on the left and the one-line barrel address on top. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent marking and the Rampant Colt
trademark. The left side of the trigger guard has the “VP” proof and “1”. The loading gate and rear of the frame have assembly number “263”, and the matching serial
number “336275” is marked on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The attractive documented smooth pearl grips have silver “Colt/Rampant Colt” medallions.
The included factory letter lists this revolver in .38/40 with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, pearl grips, and factory engraving when it was the sole gun of its type in
a shipment to “Farwell, Ozmun, Kirk & Co.” in St. Paul, Minnesota, care of “Frank G. Pinkerton” on June 21, 1917. Frank G. Pinkerton may be Frank Garfield Pinkerton
(1880-1937) who was born in Ohio, raised in Waterloo, Iowa, worked in Waterloo as a pharmacist, spent the winter of 1916-1917 in California, and moved to Santa
Ana, California before 1920 where he owned a home and ranch and was a special deputy sheriff in Orange County and ran for justice of the peace. His obituary
indicated that he was a drug salesman and for the ten years preceding his death had been operating his own investigation agency.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 85% plus original bright blue finish remaining one the barrel and cylinder with light holster type wear visible at the muzzle
and cylinder drag lines, 85% plus original case colors, and 60% original blue finish on the grip frame with smooth gray patina on the balance. The engraving and
markings remain crisp. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 45,000 - 65,000