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LOT 1574
The Bank of Findlay Cased Set of Colt “Snake” Double Action
Revolvers with Boxes -A) Colt Python Revolver - Serial no. K88429, 357
Magnum cal., 6 inch vent rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured
in 1982, this Colt Python revolver and the Diamondback cased with it were
both part of a certificate of deposit promotion run by The Bank of Findlay,
located in the small village of Findlay, Illinois, in 1983. The concept of the
promotion was that the bank offered pre-paid interest on a six-year, $2,500
certificate of deposit in the form of these cased revolvers. The promotion
initially began quietly before being picked up by the national news,
including the CBS Morning News show flying the bank vice-president, Greg
Bohlen, out to New York to appear on their show. Once the promotion hit
national news, interest exploded, with the bank president claiming to have
gotten orders from all over the United States, sometimes as many as 100
in a single day. At the time it was thrust into the spotlight, Findlay was a
village of less than 900 people and the bank was worth about $7 million.
One news article claims that this promotion increased the banks earnings
by about $3 million, as well as netting a profit of $150,000 for Wooters
Sports Shop in Findlay, which had been struggling its way through the
economic recession. It is reported that around 3,000 of these sets were
issued by the bank by the time the promotion ended, with far fewer
surviving in a complete state like this one. This Python was produced with
standard markings and features. Includes a hardwood case that houses
both revolvers with a plaque fitted to the interior marked “The Bank of
Findlay” and “Findlay, Illinois 1983” as well as a business card for Wooters
Sports Shop in Findlay. Also includes the original box.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% plus of the original blue finish with
some very slight edge wear and a faint cylinder turn line. The grips are
also excellent with a few light handling marks and crisp checkering.
Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine with some light handling/
storage marks. The box is fine showing moderate wear and applied
orange tape.
B) Colt Diamondback Revolver in .22 L.R. - Serial no. P45047, 22 LR cal.,
6 inch vent rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1982 with
standard markings and features. Cased with “A”. Includes the original box.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% plus of the original blue finish with only
the slightest handling marks and a faint cylinder turn line, The grips are
also excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering.
Mechanically excellent. The box is fine showing moderate edge/corner
wear and some orange tape. A seldom seen promotional set of Colt
Snake revolvers!
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500