Page 186 - 4095-BOOK3

184
LOT 3204
Exceptional State of Massachusetts Shipped Colt Officer’s Model Heavy Barrel
Double Action Revolver in Scarce .32 Long Colt with Box and Factory Letter -
Serial no. 643082, 32 Long cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured
in late 1940 to early 1941, this is an exceptional example of a State of Massachusetts
shipped Colt Officer’s Model Heavy Barrel revolver in the scarcely seen .32 caliber. It is
believed that these revolvers were purchased by Massachusetts for arming National Guard units
in the build up to the entry of the United States in World War II. The included factory letter lists the
revolver in .32 caliber with a 6 inch barrel, blue finish, and grips not listed when shipped to the State
of Massachusetts on 18 January 1941 as part of a 400 gun shipment. Knowledgeable collectors believe
that only around 850 of these Officer’s Model Heavy Barrel revolvers were chambered in .32, indicating that a large portion of them
were likely purchased by Massachusetts. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address and patent dates,
while the left side has the model and caliber markings. The left of the frame has the Rampant Colt marking. The matching serial
number is marked on the frame and crane. It is fitted with an adjustable blade front sight, adjustable notch rear sight, and a pair of
checkered walnut grips with Colt medallions at the tops. Includes a correctly labeled factory box renumbered to match the gun.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% of the original blue finish with some light muzzle wear, some scattered very faint speckling, and a faint cylinder
drag line. The grips are also excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is fine with some
minor tears and wear.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3203
Rare Factory Engraved Colt Police Positive Revolver with Steer Head Carved
Pearl Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no. 252150, 38 Colt cal., 4 inch round bbl.,
nickel finish, pearl grips. Manufactured in 1922, this revolver features floral scroll
engraving with a matte background covering the upper rear sides of the barrel, frame
sides, trigger guard and cylinder flats (without the background). The top of the barrel is marked
with the two line address/patent dates, the left side “POLICE / POSITIVE 38 SPECIAL”, the Rampant
Colt appears on the left side of the frame, and the Colt triangle “VP” proof is marked on the upper
left front of the trigger guard and the number “3” on the rear. All nickel finish, blade front and frame
notch rear sights, and fitted with two piece pearl grips with Colt medallions, “MGB” monogram scrimshawed at the bottom of the left
panel and a carved steer head on the right. The accompanying factory letter verifies the serial number, caliber, 4 inch barrel, nickel
finish, pearl grips (no mention of monogram or steer head), factory engraving and that it was shipped as 1 to G. L. Hall, c/o Pruden C
and C Company, address unavailable, on May 13, 1922
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The revolver retains 85% plus original finish overall with loss limited to flaking on the rear edge of the
cylinder. The barrel, cylinder, and forward portion of the frame have a “frosted” appearance. The grips are excellent with some minor
chipping on the left heel and overall minor handling marks. The markings and engraving remain clear and crisp. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3202
Desirable Pre-World War II Colt Shooting Master Double Action Revolver in .357 Magnum - Serial
no. 341845, 357 Magnum cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1937, this is an
exceptional example of one of only 3,500 Colt Shooting Master revolvers produced between 1926 and 1944,
and it is one of only 500 chambered in the powerful .357 Magnum cartridge. These revolvers were Colt’s
top of the line, hand fitted target revolver at the time and between 1928 and 1938 was their most expensive offering. The
top of the barrel has the standard two-line address and patent dates, while the left has the model and caliber marking. The
left of the frame has a non-factory, finely engraved banner with “1937” within it next to the Rampant Colt. The matching serial
number is on the frame, crane, and faintly hand-scratched inside both grips. The grip straps and trigger are factory checkered. It is
fitted with an adjustable blade front sight, adjustable notch rear sight, and a pair of checkered walnut grips with Colt medallions at the tops.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 95% plus of the original blue finish with some light muzzle/edge wear, a few scattered light handling marks, and a
faint cylinder turn line. The grips are very fine with a few minor handling marks near the bottoms and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000