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LOT 3196
D.W. Harris Signed
Cattle Brand
Engraved Antique Colt
Single Action Army Revolver - Serial
no. 167391, 41 Long Colt cal., 4 3/4 inch
round bbl., nickel finish, stag grips. This is a fine example of an iconic Colt Single Action Army
revolver that was manufactured in 1896 and subsequently fully custom engraved by Master
Engraver David Harris in the traditional Texas cattle brand pattern pioneered by Cole Agee and
carried on by Weldon Bledsoe. 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 recoil shield features a scene depicting a cowboy and a single cactus, and a head
of a long horn steer is engraved on the ejector rod housing. Harris signed the butt. The revolver has standard Colt markings. It wears a set of
Rampant Colt medallion stag grips.
Colt introduced the .41 Colt caliber to its famed Single Action Army revolver line in 1885. Colt author David Brown passionately summarized the
.41 Colt caliber’s alluring image as: “The .41s were favorites in the West among men who wanted something a bit less husky than
the .45 or the .44-40, yet something still dependable for man-stopping power at short ranges. The lawmen for the most part, clung to the bigger bores; but
several famous outlaws are known to have liked the .41 Colts” (see “The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army,” p. 146). Among First Generation Single
Action Army revolvers, only 16,402 left the factory chambered for .41 Long Colt compared to 150,683 in .45 Colt, making it comparably scarce.
CONDITION: Very fine as embellished by master engraver David Harris, retaining 99% plus of the nickel finish with limited handling marks. The grips are
excellent with limited handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3195
Weldon Bledsoe Signed Cattle
Brand Engraved First Generation
Colt Single Action Army .22
Caliber Revolver with Holster and
Factory Letter - Serial no. 202992, 22
cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, stag grips. This is an outstanding example of a First Generation
Colt Single Action Army revolver that subsequently was rechambered for .22 caliber and received a full
custom engraving in the traditional Texas cattle brand pattern by Weldon Bledsoe, who has signed his work on
the lower right side of the frame. 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. Weldon Bledsoe was a former
student of the legendary Cole Agee, who innovated the “cattle brand” style of engraving. The engraving covers nearly all of the surface and is in
the typical western style with the recognizable “2 Lazy (sideways) 2 P” as well as many other famous Texas brands, all on a punch dot background.
The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking followed by an encircled Rampant Colt. The barrel is unmarked. Matching
serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. Fitted with a set of silver Rampant Colt medallion stag grips by Ajax. The
accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped to M. Hartley Co. of New York City on December 15, 1900, with a 4 3/4 inch barrel in
.41 caliber, blue finish, and type of stocks not listed. The floral tooled leather holster has the initials “JK” and lacks a maker’s marking.
CONDITION: Very fine as embellished by Weldon Bledsoe, retaining 98% plus of the nickel plating with limited handling marks. The highly
attractive grips are also excellent. Mechanically fine. The holster is very fine. A grand work of cattle brand engraving by the legendary engraver Weldon Bledsoe.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
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