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LOT 122
Very Fine Antique Colt Model 1878 Double Action Revolver
in .38-40 W.C.F. with Factory Letter - Serial no. 38487, 38
WCF cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips.
Manufactured in early 1898, this is an exceptionally fine example
of one of Colt’s first forays into the realm of double action
revolvers. According to Don Wilkerson in “Colt’s Double Action
Revolver Model of 1878” only 552 Model 1878 revolver were
produced with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, .38-40 caliber, and blue finish.
The included factory letter lists the revolver in .38-40 caliber with
a 5 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, and rubber grips when shipped
to Schoverling, Daly & Gales in New York on 19 February 1898 in
a three gun shipment. The top of the barrel is marked with the
standard one-line address, while the caliber marking is on the
left. There is a circled Rampant Colt on the left lower rear of the
frame. The serial number is marked on the butt and matching last
three digits are on the rear face of the cylinder and in pencil inside the right grip. The assembly number “14”
is marked on the loading gate and left of the grip frame. It is fitted with a blade front sight, frame-top groove
rear sight, and a lanyard swivel on the butt.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% of the original blue finish with a few patches of mild handling/holster type
wear and some light edge wear showing a grey patina, as well as a few scattered patches of light freckling. The
grips are excellent with a few light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 120
Documented St. Paul,
Minnesota Shipped Colt First
Generation Single Action Army Revolver with Pearl Grips
and Factory Letter - Serial no. 328479, 32 WCF cal., 4 3/4 inch
round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, pearl grips. Manufactured in
1914, .32-20 WCF was a very popular caliber in the first generation SAA
line. As author Dan Brown put it, “The .32-20 WCF cartridge had good
range and accuracy. It is very easy to shoot, as it does not make the
revolver buck as the larger calibers do. It also was used as a companion
to the Winchester rifle of the .32-20 WCF caliber” (“The 36 Calibers of the
Colt Single Action Army,” page 190). The factory letter states the revolver
was shipped on April 14, 1914 to Farwell, Ozman, Kirk & Co. of St. Paul,
Minnesota, with a 4 3/4 inch barrel in .32-20 caliber, blue finish, and
type of stocks not listed. This was a two gun shipment. The barrel carries
the two-line Hartford address on top and “32 WCF” on the left side. The
left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking followed by
a Rampant Colt. Matching serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger
guard, and back strap. The revolver is fitted with a set of period pearl grips.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 50% original blue finish and 40% original case colors with smooth brown-gray patina on
the balance. The oversized replacement grips are also fine with highly attractive fiery colors. The cylinder does not
lock properly, otherwise action functions.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 121
Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver with Ivory
Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no. 352102, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2
inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, ivory grips. Manufactured in
1928 with standard markings and features as well as the rear sight notch
having been period widened and the trigger hand checkered. Matching numbers on the
frame, trigger guard, and back strap. Fitted with highly attractive, well aged period installed
ivory grips. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration apart from the
period non-factory sight and trigger modifications, and grips, which are listed as rubber, as
well as shipment to Von Lengerke & Detmold in New York 22 November 1928.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% original blue finish and 60% original fiery case colors with the
balance having faded or thinned to a brown-grey patina. The replacement grips are fine with
some light dings and scratches scattered throughout. Mechanically needs work, but functions.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 119
Fine,
Scarce Egyptian Army
Contract Remington Model
1875 Single Action Army Revolver - Serial no. 9927,
44 Remington CF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut grips. Manufactured C.1875-1889, this is an example of
an Egyptian Army contract Remington Model 1875 revolver. The Egyptian
government placed an order for 10,000 Remington Model 1875 Army
Revolvers. An unknown number of these revolvers were manufactured before
Remington decided to stop production because Egypt still owed the company several hundred
thousand dollars for rolling block rifles and carbines. Very few, if any, are believed to have been
delivered to Egypt. Those encountered generally saw hard use, unlike this example which is in well
above average condition. This revolver has “*R” on the left side of the barrel at the breech, an “R” on
the left side of the frame at the breech, and an “JWR” cartouche on the left grip panel which are associated
with the Egyptian contract Model 1875s. Matching serial numbers on the left side of the grip frame, both grip
panels (in pencil) and loading gate arm. The barrel has a “pinched” blade front sight and the one-line address. The
frame has a top strap groove rear sight and a swivel mounted lanyard ring on the butt.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel and ejector housing retain 70% original blue finish. The frame retains 30% original blue
finish mostly in the sheltered areas. Both grip straps are a smooth gray patina. The cylinder retains 40% original blue
finish. 80% original case colors remain on the hammer. The grips are also fine with a series of dings on the bottom,
some scattered minor handling marks and crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. A fine representative example of
an Egyptian Army contract Remington Model 1875 Revolver.
Provenance: The Elliott Burka Collection; The Milan J. Turk Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 6,500 - 8,500
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