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LOT 1147
Cattle Brand Engraved Cole Agee Colt Bisley Model Single Action Revolver with Pearl Grips and Attribution Letter - Serial no. 235551, 45 LC cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. This is a nice example of a custom engraved
Colt Single Action Army revolver that was originally manufactured in 1902 and subsequently custom engraved and embellished by the famous Master Engraver Cole Agee. The revolver is nearly completely covered
with Texas cattle brand engraving and the brands are well executed in the typical western style with the recognizable “7UP”, “XIT”, “HIT” and many other famous Texas brands with intermixed floral scroll and a punch dot background. The only surfaces not covered are the front strap, the inside
area of the trigger guard, the cylinder flutes and the hammer (the latter Agee never engraved when doing the cattle brand engraving). The top of the ejector housing has a floral scroll pattern. The top of the barrel is marked with the two line address, the left side is marked “BISLEY
MODEL” in a panel and the left side of the frame is marked with the two line, three patent dates, (faded), followed by a very faint circled Rampant Colt. The matching serial number appears on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and the back strap. Standard blade front and frame notch rear
sights, all nickel finish and fitted with smooth pearl grips. The revolver is accompanied by a copy of a letter dated February 26, 1993 from an individual who met Cole Agee in 1950 and had him engrave a revolver for him and examined the engraving on this gun and feels that it was Engraved by Agee stating, “The style and tools used are
correct for his work.” It is estimated that Cole Agee only engraved 15 to 20 of these Texas cattle brand guns.
CONDITION: Very fine as professionally embellished by Master engraver Cole Agee with 98% nickel finish remaining. There is some minor pitting on the trigger guard plate. The grips are excellent. The engraving is crisp and the action is fine. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Joe Marlin Hilliard Collection. Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000
Cole Agee
LOT 1148
David Wade Harris Signed Custom Engraved First Generation Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Relief Carved Steer Head Pearl Grips - Serial no.
316638, 45 LC cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. Manufactured in 1911
and subsequently embellished by noted engraver David Wade Harris. Harris is best known for his cattle brand engraving. He was
taught the art of cattle brand engraving by Weldon Bledsoe, who had in turn learned the art from Cole Agee, the originator of the cattle brand engraving. 75% of the surface features Harris’ engraving which consists mostly of floral scrollwork on a punch dot background.
Fan patterns decorate the recoil shield, loading gate, and top of the back strap. The back strap features a line, dot and star motif. The steel canvas is signed by Harris on the butt: “DW HARRIS.” The barrel is marked with the two-line Colt Hartford address, and the frame is
marked with the two-line patent dates marking followed by an encircled Rampant Colt. The revolver wears a set of pearl grips with relief carved steer head on the right panel.
CONDITION: Very fine as embellished by custom engraver David W. Harris, retaining 99% plus of the nickel plating with limited handling marks. The grips are excellent with highly attractive fiery colors and crisp carving. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
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