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LOT 1181
Scarce Documented
Factory Engraved
Colt Police Positive Double Action Revolver with
Factory Letter - Serial no. 303961, 32 police cal., 4 inch round bbl., blue
finish, walnut grips. This revolver was manufactured on August 17, 1927. The
accompanied factory letter confirms the revolvers configuration, including the
date of manufacture and factory engraving. It also states that it was shipped as
one to Luis L. Aguirre & Co. address unavailable on September 6, 1927.It features a
half moon front sight and square notch rear sight. It has the standard top and left side
barrel marking and checkered walnut grips with silver medallions. The barrel is nicely floral
scroll engraved extending from the breech two inches down the barrel, the sides of the frame are also floral scroll engraved
with a simple border on the rear panels. The left side of the frame has the Rampant Colt amid the engraving. The rear and
front of the frame, cylinder flats, underside of the trigger guard and butt are also nicely pattern engraved. This revolver is
pictured on page 592 of “The Colt Engraving Book Volume Two” by R. L. Wilson.
CONDITION: Extremely fine, the revolver retains 85% plus of the original blue finish with brown patina on the right side of
the barrel, front and rear grip straps, front of the crane and left rear of the frame. There is also some light thinning behind
each cylinder flute, a drag line and some overall high edge wear. The engraving remains crisp. The grips are also excellent
showing light wear and slight handling marks. Mechanically excellent. A very nice, rare, factory engraved Police Positive revolver.
Provenance: The Tom Burns Collection; The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 4,000 - 7,000
LOT 1182
Excellent World War I
Era Colt Police Positive
38 Special Double Action Revolver with Original Box -
Serial no. 119611, 38 Special cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish,
hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1915, an included signed
certificate notes this Police Positive revolver as one of two
weapons licensed for carry by Doctor Philip D. Bourland
of Houghton County, Michigan, in 1917. Born in Illinois in
1873, Dr. Bourland initially trained as an analytical chemist
before switching to medicine, becoming a physician and surgeon in 1899. In his
professional life he acted as both a doctor and a medical inspector for the Maccabees
and Woodmen fraternal organizations/insurance companies. Blade front and notch
rear sights, with the two-line address and patent dates on top of the barrel, model and
caliber markings on the left, “VP” and “3” on the triggerguard, and checkered grips with “COLT” banners and “C” imprints around the screw. Included with the revolver
are a matching numbered Colt box with black-on-blue Police Positive end label (matches features on the revolver), black-on-white “SPECIAL” label, barrel brush,
“Special Instructions” pamphlet, Police Positive pamphlet, and an original hang-tag noting the compatible cartridges for the revolver.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 97% plus high polish original blue finish, showing minor handling marks overall and a razor thin drag line. Grips are equally excellent.
Mechanically excellent. The box is very good, showing wear appropriate for age on the edges and minor tearing and loss on the end labels. Overall, the revolver is
in nearly unheard-of condition for a carried sidearm; even a scrupulously maintained weapon will suffer holster/pocket wear, not to mention exposure to sweat and
other elements.
Provenance: The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
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