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LOT 1137
Extraordinary, Well-Documented, Finest
Known, Exhibition Engraved, Presentation
Inscribed and Cased, Consecutively Serialized
Pair of Colt New Line .38 Spur Trigger Revolvers
with Pearl Grips from Joseph R. Hawley to El
Conte del Donadio Pictured in “The Book of Colt
Engraving Vol. I” by R.L. Wilson with Extensive
Documentation, Photographs and Accessories -A)
Colt New Line .38 Spur Trigger Revolver - Serial no.
10982, 38 CF cal., 2 1/4 inch round bbl., nickel finish,
pearl grips. Manufactured in 1879, this extraordinary
pair of revolvers are, without question, the finest
pair of exhibition engraved, Colt New Line revolvers
known to exist. This exquisite pair of revolvers is deeply
connected to the iconic 1876 Centennial Exposition
held in Philadelphia, despite being made three years
after. They bear inscriptions from the president of the
United States Centennial Commission to a high ranking
Spanish official, who was essentially in charge of the
Spanish display at the 1876 Centennial Exposition. These
revolvers certainly show the incredibly ornate level of
high grade deluxe embellishment that Colt firearms
made for display at the exposition did, and it is very
likely that when this pair was ordered, the revolvers from
the famous Colt “Wheel Display” were referenced as
inspiration. These revolvers are pictured on p. 364 of “The
Book of Colt Engraving Vol. I” by Wilson, where they are
shown together in the case that still houses them.
The revolvers are deluxe engraved on all the major
components, with vine-like scrollwork and punch-dot
backgrounds on the sides of the frames, cylinders,
bottoms and tops of the frames, barrels, and the tops
of the back strap. There is a multi-point star pattern on
the left sideplate and small fan/scallop patterns on the
right of the frame and on the top strap. The delicate vine
patterns certainly have the look of being the work of the
legendary Gustave Young, or at the very least the work
of his shop. The back strap is inscribed with “El Conte del
Donadio
from J.R. Hawley”. Colt New
Line revolvers with very
similar engraving to these,
as well as pearl grips, have
been documented to the
famous Colt “wheel display”
at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, and
given the connections to the exposition the two men
in the inscription have, it is almost certain that this pair
were ordered after Hawley had witnessed the display.
The top of the barrels has the standard two-line address,
while the caliber markings are on the lower left of the
frames. The left side of the grip frames are marked “P”
followed by the full serial number, which is repeated on
the bottom right of the barrels and in pencil inside all
four grip panels, while the matching last three-digits are
marked on the rear faces of the cylinders. They are fitted
with the standard blade front sights, frame-top groove
rear sights, and smooth pearl grips. They are housed in
a beautiful, deluxe, rosewood presentation case with
a blank silver escutcheon inlaid in the lid. The inside of
the lid is lined with ruffled purple and white silk and
the lower half is lined with purple velvet. It is fitted for
both revolvers, has a cartridge block containing the full
complement of cartridges, and includes a cleaning rod
and key.
Unfortunately, the information available regarding the
Conte del Donadio is fairly slim, though he is listed by
that title as part of the Spanish contingent for the 1876
Centennial Exposition. Donadio is listed as the “Director
of the Department of Fine Arts”, meaning he would have
played a very pivotal role in the Spanish display at
the fair.