Page 270 - Demo

LOT 384
Rare, Documented, Antique, Cased, First
Year Production Factory Engraved Colt New
Police .32 Double Action Revolver with
Factory Letter - Serial no. 3497, 32 police cal., 4 inch
round bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. Based on renowned Colt historian R.L. Wilson’s reading of the available
factory records, “Approximately 25 New Police revolvers were engraved (about seven of them gold inlaid),
and approximately 30 were inscribed (about three in gold). The style of workmanship was in keeping with
contemporary scroll and border work on other Colt handguns of the period” (“The Book of Colt Firearms,”
page 374). This outstanding example no. 3497 would have been one of the approximately 25 New Police
revolver records indicate was factory engraved that Wilson reviewed. The accompanying factory letter confirms
the 4 inch barrel in .32 Police cartridge, nickel plating, grip material, and factory engraving. The letter indicates
the revolver was shipped to George Worthington Co. of Cleveland, Ohio, on October 13, 1896, making it a first
year production example. This was a single gun shipment. Although the back strap inscription “Officer W. Gunn”
is not confirmed by the letter, it is certainly period executed. “W. Gunn” has yet to be identified, but he was likely a
police officer. The New Police Revolver found immediate success with police departments after then Commissioner and future U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt re-quipped the entire New York Police Department with this Colt revolver model. The engraving is consistent with patterns used by renowned Master Engraver Cuno Helfricht and his shop. The embellishment consists mostly of floral scrollwork on a punch dot background while also incorporating line and dots, zig-zag line bordering and leaf motif covering the top strap. Wilson also noted in “The Book of Colt Firearms” that factory engraved New Police Revolvers commonly featured “limited” coverage. This example, however, is decorated with 90% coverage, making the engraving on this New Police even rarer. The barrel has the three-line Hartford address/patent
dates marking on top and “COLT NEW POLICE 32” inside a banner on the left side. The inside of the frame has a Colt factory ampersand (&) rework mark. Stamped on the butt is the non-factory number “5070.”
The side plate has the Rampant Colt/New Police logo surrounded by scrollwork. The revolver wears a set of pearl grips. Includes a period oak partitioned case lined in purple velvet.
CONDITION: Excellent, metal retaining 95% plus original nickel plating. The engraving is crisp. The hammer and trigger retain 80% original nitre blue. A sizeable chip is absent from the right panel; otherwise,
the replacement grips are very good with a couple small chips and highly attractive fiery colors. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine with minor handling/storage marks and some typical high spot wear to
the lining. A rare documented factory engraved Colt New Model Police Revolver that will bring added dimension to any Colt or firearms art collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
268
LOT 385
Excellent Documented Colt Officer’s Model Target
Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 347806,
38 Colt Special cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1912, the
barrel is marked with the standard two-line address/patent dates on top and the Officer’s
Model nomenclature on the left. The left of the frame is marked with the Rampant Colt
over “C”, as well as “VP” and “3” near the trigger guard. It is fitted with pinned blade front and
notch rear sights and the top/back of the hammer, trigger, and screw heads are finished in nitre
blue. It is fitted with a pair of checkered walnut grips with deep-set Colt medallions. The included factory letter
confirms the current configuration (grips not listed) as well as shipment to Rice & Miller in Bangor,
Maine on 12 September 1912.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus of the original high polish blue finish and nearly all of the original nitre blue with
the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina, mostly in the form of light edge/muzzle and handling wear. The grips are very fine with some scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000