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LOT 349
Exquisite Arnold Griebel Signed, Game Panel Scene Relief Engraved, and Gold Inlaid Colt Government
Model Semi-Automatic Pistol with Checkered Ivory Grips, from The Noted Ed Brown Collection - Serial no.
148146, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue/gold finish, ivory grips. Manufactured c. 1926 based off of the serial
number “148146”, and later masterfully elaborately embellished by Arnold Griebel (1890-1970), who immigrated to
Chicago, Illinois, area from Germany in 1928 and was active as a well-respected arms embellisher from the 1940s into
the 1960s. The left side of the grip frame bears his engraver signature mark “ENGR. BY A. GRIEBEL” under the left grip
panel along with the serial number. Features fixed oval blade front and square notch rear sights on the Colt pattern
slide with a matching “148/146” serial number stamped under the firing pin stop, a polished blued barrel with a
jeweled chamber hood and “circle/MB” (Match Barrel) mark on the left of the recoil lug, Colt factory “1” over “triangle/
VP” proofs retained on the left side of the trigger guard, “20” on the right of the trigger guard, along with checkered
slide catch, thumb safety, jeweled wide spur hammer, arched mainspring housing, and gold plated short milled
trigger. The slide and fame display extensive German floral scroll pattern relief engravings with matted backdrops,
at 95% total coverage, with the slide also showcasing gold inlaid highlighted game scenes on either side of a cougar
overlooking a bison on the left and a sportsman getting a bead on a Bengal tiger on the right side, along with a
panel scene of two horses on top. The floral themed engraving is also continued on the blued barrel bushing, slide
catch, and thumb safety. Fitted with an attractive pair of checkered ivory grips with silver Colt medallion inserts (each
marked “D.T. DEC. 67.” on the underside) and a full blued Colt post-war commercial magazine.