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LOT 3181
Exceptional, Documented, Factory Engraved Colt
New Line .30 Spur Trigger Revolver with Ivory Grips
from Colt’s “Wheel” Display at the 1876 Centennial
Exposition in Philadelphia - Serial no. 10237, 30 RF cal.,
2 1/4 inch round bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips.
Manufactured in 1876, the same year as the Centennial
Exposition in Philadelphia, this is an exceptionally attractive,
factory engraved Colt New Line revolver that was part
of Colt’s famous “wheel” display at the trade fair. The largest
known listing of revolvers documented as part of this display is the H.D. Folsom invoice which lists
a plethora of “wheel” revolvers that they received to put on display after the exposition was over.
This specific revolver is listed on the Folsom list, unequivocally placing it on the “wheel” as part of
Colt’s display at the Centennial Exposition. Along with this, serial numbers 10234 and 10239 are
also listed, and we previously sold 10235 here at Rock Island Auction Company in 2023, which
showed all the signs of also being a part of the famous display. The display was built in Hartford
specifically for the exposition and received a lot of attention both at the World’s Fair itself and into
the 21st century as collectors eagerly seek out the historic Colts that made up Colt’s most famous
display. The display is shown in multiple publications about Colt firearms, including Wilson’s books
(for example, see page 172 of “Colt: An American Legend.” Some of the “wheel” revolvers were
later loaned to the Henry Folsom Co. of St. Louis and were returned to Colt in October 1877. Some
remain in the Colt Collection at the Museum of Connecticut History. The engraving on this revolver
was probably executed by L.D. Nimschke and consists of punch-dot backed intertwining vine scroll
and floral engraving along with a circular pinwheel shaped design on the side plate. Very similar
engraving patterns on New Line revolvers can be seen on p. 362-365 of “The Colt Engraving Book:
Volume I” by Wilson, and are attributed as by Nimschke. The top of the barrel is marked with the
standard two-line address. The caliber marking and full serial number are marked on the butt,
and the matching last four digits of the serial number are marked on the bottom of the barrel and
rear face of the cylinder. It is fitted with a blade front sight, frame-top groove rear sight, and an
attractive pair of smooth ivory grips. The Folsom invoice lists this revolver with pearl grips, which
may be a mistake or it may have been fitted with ivory grips for the eventual buyer.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 90% plus of the original nickel finish with a few spots of light flaking,
on the leading edges of the cylinder, and the engraving remaining very crisp throughout. The grips
are very fine with a faint age-related stress line on the left panel and a few light handling marks.
Mechanically excellent. This is a fantastic example of one of the very rare and desirable revolvers
from Colt’s legendary “wheel” display at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 14,000