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LOT 1126
Spectacular Documented Factory Cuno Helfricht Master Engraved Cased Colt Model 1877 Lighting Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 100465, 38 Long Colt cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. This stunning deluxe Cuno Helfrict master factory engraved revolver is quite possible the finest Colt Model 1877 D.A. revolvers extant and has nearly full coverage deluxe factory engraving throughout. The factory letter lists the revolver in .38 caliber with a 5 inch barrel, blue finish, rubber grips, and factory engraving and lists it as sold and shipped to Markt & Co. of New York City on May 27, 1895. Markt & Co. were import/export merchants with multiple international offices. In 1895, the company complained of the difficulties and costs of important American firearms into Germany to compete with German, Belgian, and English made firearms due to European proof laws. They are identified as dealing in a variety of hardware, machinery, metal goods, and “fancy goods.” This revolver certainly falls within the latter category.The deluxe engraving was undoubtedly personally executed by Master Engraver Cuno A. Helfricht and covers most of the barrel, around the front sight (continuing to the barrel address), the ejector housing, nearly all of the frame, the cylinder (including in the flutes), and on the trigger guard and back strap. The engraving overall is stunning, and the way the patterns flow from the breech end of the barrel onto the breech section of the frame is particularly well-designed. The revolver also featured a rounded blade front sight, “COLT D.A. 38” in an panel along the left side of the barrel, the usual two-line barrel address on top, three-line patent marking on the left side of the frame followed by the Rampant Colt trademark, matching serial numbers on the frame and grip straps, assembly number “267” on the loading gate, and checkered hard rubber grips with the Rampant Colt design at the top and matching partial serial numbers “465” inside. The English style oak case has royal blue lining, a cartridge block with 25 cartridges, an oil bottle, screwdriver, cleaning rod, cleaning patches, and key.
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