Page 171 - 4095-BOOK2

According to "The Book of Colt Firearms"
by R.L. Wilson, fewer than 60
factory engraved Colt Bisley
Single Action revolvers were produced.
169
The factory letter states the revolver was sold to F. Ronstadt
(address unavailable) and shipped to Wyeth Hardware & Mfg. Co.
of St. Joseph, Missouri, on February 27, 1909, and this was a single
gun shipment. F. Ronstadt Co. opened in 1888 as a blacksmith
and custom wagon shop in Tucson, Arizona, later grew to include
leather and hardwood goods, and even automobiles and farm
machinery. The business closed in the 1980s. The factory letter
also confirms the 4 ¾ inch barrel in .45 caliber, silver finish, pearl
grip with carved eagle motif, and “Nabor Pacheco” engraved
on the back strap. Although the scroll engraving is not listed
by the factory letter, it is most certainly factory. The engraving
was executed by Colt Master Engraved Cuno Helfricht and is
very similar in style to Colt SAA serial no. 305405 illustrated on
page 439 of “The Book of Colt Engraving, Volume One” by R.L.
Wilson. Note that the two-piece pearl grips feature a relief carved
standing eagle that is identical to the carved eagle on no. 305405.
The deluxe engraving consists of tight Germanic scrollwork on
punch dot background. As noted in the factory letter, “Nabor
Pacheco” is engraved on the back strap. The revolver has the
distinctive Bisley Model extended grip, special hammer and wide
trigger. The top of the barrel is roll stamped “COLTS PT. F.A. MFG.
CO,/HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.” in an engraved panel with scalloped
edges and punch dots. “BISLEY MODEL .45 COLT” is roll stamped
on the left side of the barrel and surrounded by engraved borders.
The left side of the frame is roll stamped with the Colt two-line,
three-patent date marking within an engraved panel followed
by an encircled Rampant Colt trademark. The Colt triangle “VP”
proofmark is stamped on the left front trigger guard bow. The full
serial number “308877” is stamped on the bottom of the frame,
trigger guard and back strap. The partial serial number “8877” is
stamped on the barrel underneath the ejector housing, on the
underside of ejector housing, and on the rear face of the cylinder.
The inside of the loading gate is stamped with the assembly
number “822”. The revolver comes with a single loop floral tooled
holster marked “THE F. RONSTADT CO/MAKER/TUCSON, ARIZ.”
Noted Colt historian and author Ron Graham examined this
Bisley and recorded his observations in his included letter. Most
importantly he confirmed the engraving and silver plating as
factory original, noting that the silver “was definitely applied
before Cuno Helfricht’s engraving shop began their work.” This
was also the conclusion by Daniel Cullity of the conservation and
restoration of antique weapons Cullity & Son (see his included
2009 letter). Writer believes the silver plating to undoubtedly be
factory, though questions the weakness of the verified proof on
left forward trigger bow. Nonetheless, this is both a spectacular
factory engraved Colt Bisley with extraordinary history!
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The revolver retains 98% of the
factory applied silver finish. The highly detailed and flawlessly
executed engraving is deep and crisp. All of the factory markings
are sharp. The pearl grips are very fine. The relief-carved eagle has
some handling wear and there is a small chip in the upper corner
of the right grip at the junction with the frame. Mechanically
excellent. The holster is very good with some stains and loose
stitching on the toe. This is an extremely rare example of a
factory deluxe engraved and inscribed Colt Bisley Model revolver
with relief-carved eagle pearl grips with the added historical
significance of being owned by an Arizona lawman. It will make
a great addition to any Colt, firearms art, or law enforcement
collection no matter how advanced.
Provenance: Nabor Pacheco and his descendants; displayed at
the Arizona Historical Society; The Nick Shannon Collection.
Estimate: 70,000 - 90,000