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LOT 3183
Rare Well-Documented Factory Engraved, Silver Plated, Colt New Service
Target Double Action Revolver in Scarce Dual Caliber .44 Russian/.44 S&W
Special with Monogrammed Pearl Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no. 62251, 44
Russian S&W special cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., silver finish, medallion pearl grips. The
Colt factory letter dated December 27, 1957, that accompanies this revolver states
that it was sold to Phil Gross & Company and shipped to C.W. Stribley on January 2,
1915. The factory letter lists the finish as “silver” and the engraving as: “Style #2 with
monogram C.W.S.” The stocks are listed as checkered walnut, but the revolver was
subsequently fitted with pearl grips with Colt medallions. The left grip has a delicately
period executed “CWS” monogram. The revolver is engraved with bold floral scrolls on
a punch-dot background. We believe this to be the work of Cuno Helfricht. Coverage
is factory “B”. This Target Model Revolver has the flat top frame with windage
adjustable target rear sight. The target front sight has a bead blade and is adjustable
for elevation. The grip straps, hammer spur and trigger are checkered. The two-line
Hartford address and 1884, 1900, and 1905 patent dates are located in an engraved
panel on the top of the barrel. The model designation and caliber: “NEW SERVICE
RUSSIAN AND/S&W SPECIAL/44” is located in an engraved panel on the
left side of the barrel. The Rampant Colt trademark is enclosed in an
engraved oval on the left side of the frame behind the cylinder latch.
The Colt triangular “VP” proof mark and the assembler’s mark “3” are
stamped on the left side of the frame above the front and rear trigger
guard bows. The serial numbers are stamped on the inside of the frame
and crane. In the “The Book of Colt Firearms” R. L. Wilson states that
fewer than 75 New Service Revolvers were engraved by Colt, and we believe that very
few of these were flattop targets. This revolver is featured on pages 55-57 of “Colt’s
New Service Revolver” by Mullin with a detailed listing. It was noted that “Pete Wall
remembers that ‘this was the first [New Service] I bought - at a Wisconsin gun show
about 1963 - for $800.00’” It also appears in “The Colt Engraving Book, Volume 2” by
Wilson on page xlvii where it is noted as likely engraved by Helfricht.
CONDITION: Excellent. The revolver retains 90% plus of the untouched original silver-
plated finish. There are several areas of minor flaking on the forward portion of the
barrel and on the cylinder crane. The engraving is deep and crisp. All of the markings
are sharp. The replacement pearl grips are in very fine condition. Mechanically
excellent. This is an attractive example of a rare factory engraved, silver-plated Colt
New Service Target Model Revolver in desirable .44 Russian caliber.
Provenance: The Bill Powell Collection; The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 15,000 - 25,000