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LOT 1189
Very Scarce Factory Engraved Colt New Service Double
Action Revolver with Relief Carved Steer Head Pearl Grip
and Factory Letter - Serial no. 5721, 38 WCF cal., 4 1/2 inch
round bbl., nickel finish, relief carved pearl grips. According to
the included factory letter, this revolver was one of 2 shipped to
E.K. Tryon Jr. & Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 4, 1901.
This letter confirms the barrel length, caliber, finish, factory engraving and
even the carved steerhead motif panel grips. Fixed sights, with the two-line
address and patent dates on top of the barrel and “NEW SERVICE 38 W.C.F.”
on the left side. The frame is marked with the Rampant Colt surrounded by
“COLT’S/ NEW SERVICE”. Punch-dot backed vinework is present on the sides of the barrel,
sides of the frame, on the chambers, trigger guard and backstrap. “HOT/ SPRINGS/ ARK.” is inscribed on the
backstrap with the balance of the inscription having been removed. Pearl grips, smooth on the left panel with
a raised carved steer head on the right.
CONDITION: Very good, with traces of original nickel in the protected areas with a mixed gray patina overall,
showing a small amount of brown pitting and mild handling marks. Grips are also very good, with a few light
cracks and tiny chips from the heel. Mechanically functions.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,500
LOT 1188
Documented Factory
Engraved Colt Single Action
Army Revolver with Relief Carved
Steer Head Pearl Grip and Factory Letter - Serial
no. 349225, 32 WCF cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, relief carved pearl grips.
The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver as shipped on May 5, 1926, to individual Chuck
Haas, address unlisted, in .32-20 caliber, with a 4 3/4 inch barrel length, blue finish, ivory grip, with
“level 2” factory engraving, and shipped with an extra cylinder (not included), on Colt Custom Shop factory order
#11325/2, as part of a 2 gun shipment. The revolver is embellished by the Glahn factory shop with engraving consisting of floral designs and
scrollwork on punchdot backgrounds. R. L. Wilson on page 385 of “The Colt Engraving Book, Volume One” wrote, “The grand total of engraved
Single Action Army revolvers (excluding the Bisley Model and Flattop Target Model) from 1873 through 1940 is approximately 3,000. A number of
these also included hand engraved inscriptions or monograms. For the period of Cuno Helfricht (through c. 1921) the total of factory engraved
Single Action Army revolvers was approximately 2,550...” That leaves less than 500 for subsequent years leading up
to World War II. Others estimate as many as 4,500 engraved First Generation Single Action Army revolvers, but that
still accounts for only approximately 1.26% of production based on a total of 357,859, per production figures on page 25 of “Blue Book Pocket
Guide for Colt Dates of Manufacture” (2008) by R.L. Wilson. The barrel is marked with “32 W.C.F.” on the left side and the Hartford address on top.
The left side of the frame has the two-line patent date markings followed by a Rampant Colt. The full serial number appears on the frame, with
matching “225” on the rear face of the cylinder, and assembly number “807” on the loading gate. The revolver wears a set of earlier production
replacement, highly attractive pearl grips featuring a detailed raised relief carved steer head on the right panel.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 20% of the original blue finish and mostly muted original case colors, with smooth antiqued brown and gray
patina on the balance. Grips are also very good, with attractive fiery colors, a few minor age lines, some chips on the right top panel at frame
juncture, and a crisp carved steer head. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500