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LOT 127
Exceedingly Rare Factory Engraved Antique
Colt Model 1877 “Rainmaker” .32 Colt Double
Action Revolver with Pearl Grips, Holster and
Factory Letter - Serial no. 89104, 32 Colt cal., 4 1/2 inch round
bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. This is one of approximately 200
of Colt’s Model 1877 revolvers that were chambered in .32 Long
Colt and nicknamed the “Rainmaker” per Sutherland and Wilson
on page 325 of “The Book of Colt Firearms.” Making this specific
example even rarer is the fact that it is factory engraved and
exhibiting patterns executed by the famed Colt Master Engraver
Cuno Helfricht. Cuno Helfricht spent his nearly 50 year career
exclusively with the Colt firm (1871-1921). During his tenure with
Colt, Helfricht saw the transition from percussion to cartridge
firearms and a rapidly growing market for engraved firearms.
At the height of the firearm engraving fad, Helfricht oversaw a
shop of six engravers. By the turn of the century, experts believe
that Helfricht did most of the work himself with the help from
one to two assistants. Helfricht’s successors included famed Colt
engravers Wilbur Glahn and William Gough.
The factory engraving on this Rainmaker is similar to engraving
patterns seen on other Helfricht embellished Model 1877s as
pictured on page 458 of R.L. Wilson’s “The Colt Engraving Book.”
The majority of the engraving features fine floral scrollwork on
a punch dot background. Fan patterns adorn the recoil shield
and loading gate, while zig-zag line patterns decorate the back
strap, trigger guard, top strap, and ejector rod housing. The
alternating patterns between the cylinder flutes are particularly
interesting as they match the embellishment on no. 89034, a
Rainmaker Helfricht engraved, pictured in the aforementioned book (page 458). The
scroll pattern closely mimics pattern used on no. 77562 also pictured on page 458
of the aforementioned book. In “The Book of Colt Firearms,” R.L. Wilson noted total
factory engraved Model 1877s represented about 250 chambered in .38 caliber and 475
chambered in .41 caliber. Wilson, however, does not provide production numbers for
factory engraved Rainmakers. Given the fact that Rainmakers on a whole represented a
limited number of production units to the Model 1877 line, it is therefore without question
that factory engraved Rainmakers are extremely rare. Knowledgeable collectors
put the number at no more than 6.
The factory letter states the revolver was shipped on August 6, 1892, to Hartley & Graham. This
was a single gun shipment. The letter confirms the 4 ½ inch barrel in .32 caliber, nickel finish, and
factory engraving with the type of stocks not listed. The barrel has the two-line Hartford address on top
and “COLT D.A. 32” in a banner amongst the scrollwork on the left side. The left side of the frame carries the
three-line patent dates marking followed by an encircled Rampant Colt. Matching serial numbers appear
on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, and cylinder. The revolver wears a set of bird head pearl grips. Brig
Pemberton acquired the revolver in 1995. The open top leather holster is marked “114C/5” on the back.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 98% plus period retailer applied nickel finish with a spot of wear at the tip
of the ejector rod housing. 70% original nitre blue remains on the hammer, trigger, and screws. The slightly
oversized replacement grips are very fine with highly attractive fiery colors. Mechanically excellent. The
holster is fine. This factory engraved Colt Model 1877 Rainmaker is the ultimate in Colt DA collecting.
Provenance: The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection.
Estimate: 20,000 - 30,000
According to “The Book of Colt
Firearms” by Sutherland & Wilson,
This is one of only 200
.32 Long Colt “Rainmakers”
manufactured by Colt.
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