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LOT 3072
Documented Glahn Engraved Colt Police Positive
Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 129076, 38
S&W cal., 4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in
1921, this revolver is Class A engraved with approximately 25% coverage
of open vine scroll without punch dot. The rear sides of the barrel, cylinder
flats, frame, top strap, backstrap and trigger guard all have flourishes
of the open vine scroll engraving. In addition the revolver features the
standard barrel markings and is fitted with checkered walnut grips with silver
medallions. The revolver is accompanied with a factory letter confirming the guns
configuration, except the grips which are “ Not Listed” and that it was one of five
shipped to Powell and Clement Co., Cincinnati, Ohio on August 15, 1921. The revolver
is also accompanied by a letter from author R.L. Wilson, who thoroughly examined this
revolver and concluded that the engraver was Wilbur A. Glahn, which in
his opinion, shows the unmistakable style and quality of Glahn. Mr. Glahn
was the hand picked successor to Cuno A. Helfricht as Colt’s factory chief
engraver and began his Colts engraving career in 1919 making this revolver
an early example of his engraving. Glahn’s career is covered in some detail
in the “Colt Engraving” texts. Additionally, this revolver is pictured and
described on page 592 of R. L. Wilson’s “The Colt Engraving Book: Volume
Two”, where Wilson again states that it was engraved by Glahn. Engraving is
not mentioned in the factory letter, these omissions are encountered from time to time, usually a factory oversight or simply
not all the records have survived.
CONDITION: Very fine as factory refurbished, with 99% of the blue finish remaining with very slight muzzle wear, a very faint drag line on the cylinder,
softened Rampant Colt and proof markings, and light overall handling marks. The grips are excellent with only very slight handling marks. Mechanically
excellent. An attractive Glahn engraved Police Positive DA revolver.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
LOT 3071
Factory Engraved Colt Police Positive Double Action Revolver with Pearl
Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no. 217649, 32 police cal., 4 inch round bbl., blue
finish, pearl grips. The included factory letter states the revolver was to loan account
Von Lengerke & Antoine of Chicago on May 21, 1926, with a 4 inch barrel in .32
caliber, blue finish, factory engraving, and pearl stocks. This was a single gun shipment.
Fitted with half moon blade front and frame notch rear sights. The barrel displays a wedge of
floral scroll engraving on either side which surrounds the model and caliber marking. The frame
is engraved with floral scroll, light wavy line borders at the rear, geometric motifs on the yoke
and crane, underside of the frame, and front of the top strap. Light flourishes of floral scroll are
cut between the flutes. The revolver is fitted with a pair of Colt medallion pearl grips.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 95% original blue finish with light handling marks, high edge wear,
a cylinder drag line, some light spotting on the forward cylinder, and crisp engraving. The
attractive grips are also excellent with fiery coloration. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
As pictured and described in The Colt
Engraving Book, Vol. II by Wilson
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