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LOT 1118
Factory Engraved
Colt Open Top Pocket Spur Trigger
Revolver with Pearl Grips and Factory
Letter - Serial no. 79747, 22 RF cal., 2 3/8 inch round
bbl., nickel/gold finish, pearl grips. Manufactured in
1875, the top of the barrel is marked with the standard
Colt two-line address flanked by Maltese crosses while the left of the
frame is marked “22 CAL”. The frame, barrel, and cylinder have flourishes
of factory floral scroll engraving. The serial number is marked on the butt
and bottom of the barrel. The included factory letter confirms the current
configuration apart from the grips which are listed as ivory (now pearl),
including the factory engraving and half nickel finish, as well as shipment
to John P. Moores Sons in New York, with no date listed.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 70% of the both the untouched original
nickel and original gold finishes with some mild handling wear on the high
spots of the frame and some mild flaking and light flash pitting on the
cylinder. The grips are fine with a small edge chip in the bottom of the left
panel and a few light handling marks. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,000
LOT 1117
New York Engraved Silver and Gold Plated
Colt New Line .32 Spur Trigger Revolver with
Desirable Gold Plated Dog’s Head DeGress
“Tiffany” Grips with Factory Letter - Serial no. 8753, 32 RF cal.,
2 1/4 inch round bbl., silver/gold finish, metal grips. This revolver was
manufactured in 1874, just two years before Colt presented its famous
“wheel” display at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, and is listed
in the factory letter as shipped along with 60 other guns to H&D Folsom Arms Co. in New York,
which is documented as having received many of the Colt revolvers that made up the famous
display. There is no date for the shipment in the factory letter. This
particular example is not listed by serial number on the known list
of “wheel” guns that were shipped to H&D Folsom, which includes
approximately 90 revolvers, however it does bear a very similar level
of embellishment. The included factory letter lists this revolver with a
blue and casehardened finish and varnished rosewood grips when it
shipped, with no mention of the engraving. The engraving along with
the silver and gold finishes that it shows now are certainly of high
quality and were likely applied by Folsom to emulate the other highly embellished exposition Colt revolvers they
were receiving around the time. The engraving encompasses most of the surfaces and is New York style floral scroll.
The standard two-line Colt address is on top of the barrel with “COLT NEW 32” on the left in an etched panel that
was plated over, and “32 CAL” is on the left of the frame. The matching serial number is on the left of the grip frame,
bottom of the barrel, and rear face of the cylinder (“753”). This example has also been fitted with an exceptionally
attractive pair of DeGress gold plated grips with “PAT APR 28. 74” on the left, a dog head on the right, and scroll
patterns. It is fitted with blade front and groove rear sights.
CONDITION: Fine with 60% of the period retailer applied silver plating and 20% of the gold on the cylinder with
some scattered patches of light flaking/pitting and crisp engraving overall. The grips retain 75% of the gold plating
in sheltered areas with light handling wear on high spots. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
LOT 1119
Factory Engraved Colt New Line .41 Caliber
Revolver with Pearl Grips and Factory Letter -
Serial no. 5381, 41 RF cal., 2 1/4 inch round bbl., nickel/
gold finish, pearl grips. The accompanying factory letter confirms the
caliber, pearl grips, and factory engraving with the type of finish “not
listed.” The revolver was shipped to B. Kittridge & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio,
on April 13, 1876, as part of a five gun shipment. The overall factory engraving is Germanic in
the style of Gustav Young’s shop, featuring floral scrollwork and punch dot backgrounds. The
serial number is marked on the frame and barrel. The cylinder has the matching partial serial
number “381” on the rear face. The top of the barrel has the two line
address, and the left side of the frame is marked “41 CAL.” Nickel
finish and gold plated cylinder flutes. Fitted with smooth bird head
pearl grips.
CONDITION: Fine. The revolver retains 40% original nickel plating and
hints of original gold plating in the cylinder flutes with the balance
a smooth gray patina. There is some minor pitting on the cylinder.
The pearl grips are also fine with some chipping near the top (right
panel). Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 1120
First Year Production Colt Open Top Pocket Spur Trigger Revolver with Ejector Rod and Factory Box
- Serial no. 1128, 22 RF cal., 2 7/8 inch round bbl., blue/silver finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1871, the
first year of production. It has the early production high spur hammer and ejector rod fitted to the right of the
scarce, extra length 2 7/8 inch barrel. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard Colt two-line address
flanked by Maltese crosses. The matching serial number is on the butt, bottom of the barrel lug, and in ink on
the inside of each grip panel. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight, a hammer notch rear sight, and a
pair of smooth walnut grips. Includes a very scarce factory box marked on the lid for “COLT’S SEVEN
SHOT PISTOL”.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 20% of the original blue finish and faint traces of the original silver in sheltered
areas with the balance either a grey patina or attractively aged brass. The grips are also fine with some light
wear and handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750