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LOT 3137
Stunning L.D. Nimschke Master Engraved Gold and Silver Plated Remington “Improved” New Model
Navy Cartridge Conversion Revolver with Ivory Grips - Serial no. 45138, 38 RF cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon
bbl., silver/gold finish, antique ivory grips. This incredible revolver was manufactured c. 1869-1875 and finished
through Remington’s special order department. These “Improved New Model” rimfire “conversions”
were some of the earliest full-sized metallic cartridge revolvers and are significant links connecting the
percussion era to the centerfire era. Many of these revolvers actually left the factory originally as cartridge
revolvers rather than as conversions of existing percussion revolvers. That would have been the case for
this beautiful piece of firearms art. It may have been made for a special presentation or exhibition and
would have certainly captured a lot of attention. It features stunning engraving primarily consisting of
elaborate scrollwork with beaded backgrounds along with wavy line and dot borders, a very attractive
floral/snowflake style design on top of the frame at the breech, intertwining line motifs, crosshatching
with dots at the top of the back strap, and shell accents. The engraving is classic Louise D. Nimschke work
and has noticeable comparisons to the famous Ulysses S. Grant and Imperial Russian presentation New
Model Army revolvers sold by Rock Island Auction in recent years. Comparisons between various patterns
on the revolver can also be made to designs shown in Nimschke’s scrapbook reproduced in “L.D. Nimschke:
Firearms Engraver” by R.L. Wilson. The entwining line and dot motifs on the barrel, for example, are
frequently found on Nimschke engraved firearms, and the crosshatching and dot designs are also frequently
found in his work. The scrollwork itself is classic Nimschke style. The loading lever, cylinder, and hammer
are gold plated. The remaining metal surfaces are silver plated. The barrel has a “pinched” blade front sight,
“PATENTED SEPT. 14. 1858. MARCH 17. 1865/E. REMINGTON & SONS. ILION. NEWYORK U.S.A./NEW MODEL”
marked on top, and “14” and “45138” marked on the bottom. The rear of the cylinder and the breech plate also
have “14.” The trigger guard spur is marked “45/138.” The back of each of the grips is marked “14/45138,” and
the left side of the butt is marked “45138” at the toe and “14” at the heel. All of the numbers match.
CONDITION: Excellent. The engraving and markings are crisp throughout. The revolver retains 90% of the
original silver and 95% original gold plating. The only notable finish loss is some minor flaking on the trigger
guard bow along with some minor cylinder drag lines and generally light handling and storage marks. The
silver has an attractive aged patina. The grips are also excellent and have very minor age stress lines mainly at
the screw holes, minor age and handling related wear, and attractive natural colors and grain. Mechanically
excellent. This is certainly one of the finest Remington New Model cartridge conversion revolvers extant and
would be near impossible to improve upon in terms of condition and artistry.
Provenance: The Howard “Skip” Quade Collection.
Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500
Similar examples of
L.D. Nimschke's work
is pictured in L.D.
Nimschke Firearms
Engraver by Wilson
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