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LOT 3198
Rare Special Order,
Factory Nickel Plated, Bank
Shipped, Colt Bankers
Special Double Action
Revolver
with Original
Box and Factory
Letter - Serial no.
333360, 38 Colt New
Police cal., 2 inch round
bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. Manufactured
in 1930, this is an excellent example of
the desirable Colt Bankers Special, with
a rarely seen factory nickel plated finish.
These revolvers were a short barrel variation of the Police Positive revolver
and were very similar to the more commonly seen Detective Special but
had a shorter cylinder and frame. They were chambered in either the .38 Colt New Police (.38 S&W) or
.22 L.R., making them more concealable and also easier to handle for those who might have been inexperienced with firearms, such as
bankers and mail carriers. The included factory letter with this example confirms the configuration including the rare nickel plating (grips
not listed), a special order 3 1/2 lb. trigger pull, and shipment on 22 April 1931 to the First National Bank in Greenville, South Carolina. The right side of the barrel has the
standard two-line address and patent date marking, while the left has the caliber and Bankers Special marking. The Rampant Colt is marked on the left of the frame and
there is a “VP” proof and “3” on the left of the trigger guard. The matching serial number is on the frame and crane. It is fitted with blade and frame-top groove sights, as
well as a pair of checkered walnut grips with Colt medallions. Includes the original box with Colt Police Positive end label and additional Bankers Special label.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% plus of the original nickel finish with some scattered light scratches, a small frosted patch on the left of the barrel, and a cylinder turn
line. The grips are also excellent with a few very light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is fine with some moderate edge/corner wear
and a few separated lid corners. These Colt Bankers Specials are rarely seen with a factory nickel plated finish, and this example is excellent!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3197
Documented Individual Sold, St. Joseph, Missouri Shipped, Factory
Engraved Colt Police Positive Double Action Revolver with Pearl Grips and
Factory Letter - Serial no. 19595, 38 S&W cal., 4 inch round bbl., nickel finish, pearl
grips. Manufactured in 1907, this is an attractively example of a documented, factory
engraved Colt Police Positive revolver shipped to a named individual. The included
factory letter lists the revolver in .38 caliber with a 4 inch barrel, nickel finish, pearl grips,
and factory engraving when sold to J.T. Morgan and shipped to Wyeth Hardware & Mfg. Co. in
St. Joseph, Missouri, on 17 December 1907. Period newspapers list a J.T. Morgan as the County Clerk of Putnam County, Missouri,
around the time this revolver shipped. The beautiful factory engraving was executed by the shop of Master Engraver Cuno A.
Helfricht. A Colt Army Special revolver showing very similar engraving is pictured on p. 474 of “The Colt Engraving Book Vol. I” by
R.L. Wilson. It consists of near full coverage floral scroll and cross-hatched patterns, as well as a blank inscription panel on
the back strap. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address and patent dates, while the model and
caliber marking is on the left. The Rampant Colt and model marking is on the left of the frame surrounded by scrollwork.
The matching serial number is on the frame, crane, and hand written in pencil inside the right grip panel. It is fitted with
the standard blade front and frame-top groove rear sights, as well as an attractive, factory pair of smooth pearl grips.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 70% of the original nickel finish, some scattered minor flaking, some patches of light surface pitting, and crisp
engraving overall. The grips are excellent with only he slightest handling marks. Mechanically excellent. A fine example of early 20th century Colt
engraving from the shop of Cuno Helfricht!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 3,750 - 5,500