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LOT 3116
Desirable Documented American Express Co. Marked Colt Model 1877 Lightning Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter and Holster - Serial no.
122937, 38 Long Colt cal., 4 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1901, this is a solid documented example of Colt’s
Model 1877 “Lightning” double action revolver which was ordered marked by the American Express Co. The included factory letter confirms the configuration, grips
not listed, as well as the American Express Company engraving and shipment to the William Read & Sons of Boston to be forwarded to superintendent C.E. Seaton
in Chicago on 16 January 1901. Initially founded in New York in 1850 by Henry Wells, William G. Fargo, and John Warren Butterfield, American Express Co. quickly became a
leader in freight forwarding, particularly on the East Coast. After a disagreement with Butterfield over expanding their freight network to California, Wells and Fargo would branch
off to form another legendary freight company, Wells Fargo & Co. It is believed that the American Express Co. purchased around 1,200 of these Model 1877 revolvers. The top of the
barrel is marked with the standard two-line address while the caliber marking is on the left. The three-line patent date marking and circled Rampant Colt are on the left the of
the frame. The back strap is marked “Am. Exp. Co. 658”. Matching serial numbers are marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. It has standard features
including a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the tops. Includes a leather holster stamped with “RY.EX.AGY./38/COLTS/MADE IN U.S.A.”
CONDITION: Very good, retains 30% of the original blue finish and faint traces of original case colors with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina in the
form of holster and handling wear. The replacement grips are also very good with some light handling wear/marks and well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.
The holster is good with moderate wear.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3115
Desirable Antique American Express Co. Marked Colt Model 1877 Lightning Double Action Revolver with Holster and Factory Letter - Serial no. 104552, 38 Long Colt cal., 4 1/2 inch round
bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1896, this is a solid example of Colt’s Model 1877 “Lightning” double action revolver which is factory
marked to the American Express Co. Initially founded in New York in 1850 by Henry Wells, William G. Fargo, and John Warren Butterfield, American Express
Co. quickly became a leader in freight forwarding, particularly on the East Coast. After a disagreement with Butterfield over expanding their freight network
to California, Wells and Fargo would branch off to form another legendary freight company, Wells Fargo & Co. These Model 1877 revolvers were cutting
edge technology in 1896 and would have been highly valued by freight companies looking to arm their employees, particularly in areas where train and
stagecoach robberies were not uncommon. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address while the caliber marking is on the left. The
three-line patent date marking and circled Rampant Colt are on the left side the of the frame. The back strap is marked “Am. Exp. Co. No. 349”, and matching
serial numbers are marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. It has standard features including a pair of checkered hard rubber grips
with Rampant Colts at the tops. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped to Hartley & Graham on December 1, 1896, with a 4 1/2
inch barrel in .38 caliber, nickel finish, and hard rubber grips. This was a five gun shipment. Includes a leather holster marked
“R.E.A./EXPRESS” for the Railway Express Agency.
CONDITION: Very good, retains strong traces of the original blue finish and case colors in sheltered areas with the balance mostly a grey patina with a few scattered patches
of light surface pitting. The grips are good with heavy handling wear and a few light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The holster is fine with some mild wear and scuffs.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3114
Documented Adams Express Co. Marked and Shipped Colt Police Positive Double Action Revolver with Pearl Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no. 68603,
38 Colt New Police cal., 4 inch round bbl., blue finish, pearl grips. Manufactured in 1913, this is a documented example of a Colt Police Positive revolver ordered by the Adams Express
Co. The included factory letter confirms the configuration, grips not listed, as well as the Adams Express Co. engraving, and shipment to G.A. Masker of the Adams Express Co. on 10 September
1913 as part of a 35 gun shipment. The top of the barrel has the standard two-line address and patent dates, while the left has the model and caliber marking. The Rampant Colt is marked on
the left of the frame, and the triangle “VP” proof is on the left of the trigger guard. The back strap is marked “PROPERTY OF ADAMS EXPRESS COMPANY.”, and the butt is marked “No. 566”. It is
fitted with a blade front sight, frame-top groove rear sight, and a pair of smooth pearl grips with Colt medallions.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% of the original blue finish and 85% plus of the original nitre blue on the trigger and hammer with the balance having thinned to a grey or brown patina in the form of
holster/handling wear. The replacement grips are fine with a repaired crack and some minor chipping in the right panel and otherwise minimal handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
LOT 3112
Highly Desirable Large Double Sided Wells Fargo & Co. Express Painted Wooden Office Sign - Starting
in 1852, Wells Fargo & Co. quickly expanded into the American Frontier, providing transportation and banking
services. A Wells Fargo office with its iconic signage was, in many ways, a symbol of the “arrival of civilization”
to gold mining camps and newly established settlements. They quickly established themselves as the main
service for transporting gold, mining supplies, mail, passengers, and any other materials needed for taming the
West. Prior to the completion and expansion of railway routes throughout the Frontier, Wells Fargo & Co. Express
stagecoaches and riders were the fastest and safest form of transport for goods throughout a Frontier that, in
many areas, remained very wild. Signs such as this one would have hung outside of most of the many Wells Fargo locations throughout the West, showing the company’s expansive reach. The sign is made of wood with most of the
background painted black, the outer borders painted red, and the Wells Fargo & Co. Express nomenclature painted in metallic gold. It measures approximately 11 x 71 3/4 inches overall.
CONDITION: The sign is fine overall, retaining much of the original paint finishes with some moderate wear and age-related weathering overall, typical of a sign that hung for many years on a building in the American West. This
would make a fantastic display piece for a Frontier arms collection or office!
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
LOT 3113
Attractive and Desirable Wells Fargo & Co. Express Porcelain Enamel Sign - Established in 1852, Wells Fargo & Co. Express quickly expanded throughout the American West, becoming
the most prolific transportation company prior to the arrival of the railways. The company became one of the largest carriers of money, materials, and people on the Frontier, allowing for the
settlement of areas previously out of reach. Signs such as this one would have been used to clearly mark the Wells Fargo office in mining camps, settlements, and towns all throughout the West,
allowing people easily identify where to ship their goods and pick up their mail. This example is enameled porcelain with a 90 degree angled mounting bracket. The sign is mostly finished is white
with a prominent red diamond containing a blue circle with white “Wells/Fargo&Co/Express” text.
CONDITION: Fine, the sign retains most of the original enamel finish and vibrant color with some minor loss and staining around the edges and on the angled bracket. This would be a nice
addition to a Frontier Western collection!
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000