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Captain John Rogers Hegeman Jr. (1872-1923) is noteworthy as
one of the earliest collectors of Colt firearms. His father was the
president of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. and also had
numerous other business connections and oversaw the completion
of the famous 700 foot Met Life Tower built at 1 Madison Avenue,
the tallest building from 1903-1913. Captain Hegeman served
as one of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s assistant
secretaries and directors. By the time of his death in 1923, the
company was listed as “The World’s Largest Life Insurance Company.”
In addition to his business activities, Captain Hegeman served in the
New York National Guard from 1892 to 1913 and served in particular
as an assistant inspector of small arms practice, inspector of small
arms practice, and ordnance officer. With wealth, connections, and
a keen interest in firearms, Hegeman was able to assemble a very
impressive collection primarily centered on Colts, including factory
prototypes, serial number one guns, and special order firearms
tailored to his specific tastes as shown by this extraordinary pair.
Given their distinctive nature, this pair has become well-known and
is pictured and described in R. L. Wilson’s “The Book of Colt Firearms”
on page 253 and “The Colt Engraving Book, Volume 1” on page 431
as well as on page xxiii of “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army
Revolver: Thirty Year Edition, 1976-2006” by Graham, Kopec, and
Moore.
CONDITION: Excellent with crisp engraving and markings, 95% plus
original “brown” finish, slight fading at the edges, 98% plus original
nitre blue on the screws and trigger, nearly all of the vibrant original
case colors on the hammer, all of the gold inlay, and minimal light
handling and storage marks. The grip is also excellent and has
attractively aged patina, minor scratches and marks, and a small
chip at the toe on the left. Mechanically excellent.
B) Colt Single Action Army Revolver - Serial no. 218549, 45 Long
Colt cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., brown/gold finish, original ivory
grips. As described in “A.”