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LOT 3221
Rare Documented Mexico Shipped
Factory Exhibition Grade Colt Model 1889
Double Action Revolver with Double Carved Pearl
Eagle Snake Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no. 21029, 41 Long
Colt cal., 6 inch round bbl., nickel/gold finish, carved pearl grips. This is an
attractive example of a rare, Colt factory engraved exhibition grade Model 1889
DA revolver in .41 Colt that was manufactured in 1892. Only 80 revolvers of this
model are reported to ever have been factory engraved, per page 337 of “The Book of
Colt Firearms” (1971 publication) by Sutherland and Wilson. The accompanying factory letter lists this
revolver with a 6 inch barrel in .41 caliber, nickel with gold cylinder, pearl grips with Mexican eagle motif on the
left side and factory engraving when shipped to A. Combaluzier of Mexico City, Mexico, on August 9, 1892. The
beautiful revolver has primarily a nickel-plated finish and a gold washed cylinder. This revolver was a historically
important model for Colt as it was the first double action revolver ever produced by the company with a swing
out cylinder. This was a very limited production model with approximately only 31,000 produced between
1889 to 1894 with 5,000 sold to the U.S. Navy. As noted, this example was factory engraved by Colt in attractive
scroll/vine engraving pattern with a punch dot background with a geometric (zig-zag/dot) pattern around the
markings and borders. The engraving covers approximately 75% of the pistol. The pearl grips have been carved
with a large Mexican eagle and snake pattern similar to those presented to the President of Mexico, Porfirio
Diaz. The top of the barrel is stamped “COLT’S PT F.A.MFG.CO. HARTFORD CT.U.S.A./PATENTED AUG. 5TH 1884
NOVEMBER 6TH 1888.” and “COLT. D.A. .41” is on the left side. The assembly number “224”, is marked on the
frame, crane, cylinder, cylinder release and underside of the barrel and the full serial number is marked on the butt.
The revolver has the standard blade front sight and the frame notch rear sights.
CONDITION: Very fine with 90% of the original nickel plated finish overall with some minor flaking on the edges of the muzzle and
front of the frame. The cylinder retains 85% of the period replated gold finish with flaking/wear on the front edges and rear area
of the flutes. The hammer and trigger retain 40% of their original nitre blued finish overall. The pearl grips are fine with some
minor chips along the lower edges and corners of the grips with nice, distinct carvings on each side. Interestingly the back
side of each grip has a spacer for the grips that is a cut-out of an old Mexican newspaper. Mechanically fine. Certainly a rare
documented factory engraved Colt Model 1889 DA revolver.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 10,000 - 16,000
Only 80 Colt Model 1889 Double Action revolvers were factory engraved, according to "The Book of Colt Firearms" by
R.L. Wilson
190