Page 197 - 4095-BOOK3

The factory letter states
the revolver was shipped
to Knight and Wall Co. of Tampa, Florida, on April 18, 1912,
with a 4 inch barrel in .38 caliber, blue finish, and type of stocks
not listed. This was a four gun shipment. The gold damascene
covers 95% of the surface and consists mostly of floral patterns.
The revolver is fitted with a set of pearl grips. The left grip panel
has the presentation inscription: Victoriano Huerta’s initials “VH”
over “PRES. V. HUERTA/FR/AMB. H.L. WILSON.” The inscription
indicates that the revolver was presented from U.S. Ambassador
Wilson to President Huerta. The revolver was part of the benefit
auction for the Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 30,
1981, and was purchased by firearms manufacturer and collector
Bill Ruger. The revolver is featured in R.L. Wilson’s “Colt Engraving” on
page 335 where the gold damascening is cited as “unusual decor rarely found on
Colt arms as applied of the period of manufacture.”
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 95% of the gold damascene and 85% of
the underlying blue finish. The period presentation grips are slightly undersized,
but are otherwise very fine with highly attractive fiery colors and crisp inscription.
Mechanically excellent. The relatively unknown story of how the U.S. supported
a coup in Mexico is brought to life with this presentation damascene Colt Police
Positive revolver. It is a historically significant piece of history to U.S.-Mexico relations
and is well deserving of the finest public or private collection.
Provenance: From U.S. Ambassador Henry Lane Wilson to Mexican President
Victoriano Huerta; The David S. Woloch Collection; The Bill Ruger Collection;
The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 12,000 - 22,500
195
As pictured & described in
Colt Engraving by Wilson