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LOT 1244
Colt London Agency Shipped and Cased Colt Etched Panel New Line .41 Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 9395, 41 CF cal., 2 1/4 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, rosewood grips.
The accompanying factory
letter, which is addressed
to noted Colt SAA historian
and author John Kopec,
states the revolver was
shipped to the Colt’s
London Agency, London,
England, on August 25,
1879. This was a 100 gun shipment. The barrel has the two-
line Colt Hartford address on top and the desirable “COLT
NEW 41” etched panel on the left. There are British proofs on
the barrel and cylinder. The left of the frame is marked “41
CAL C.” Both grip panels have the number “2500” in pencil on
the back. The barrel and cylinder are numbered to the gun.
The Colt London case has the Colt London paper label on the interior of the lid, has a brass inscription circular plaque with engraved initials on the exterior of the lid, and contains an empty cartridge block, an oiler, and cleaning rod. CONDITION: Fine. The barrel retains 85% plus bright original polish blue finish and a crisp etched panel. 40% original blue finish remains on the cylinder
with a smooth brown patina on the balance. The frame retains 30% original case colors. The period replacement grips are also fine with some high edge wear, some minor handling marks, and most of the original finish remaining. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good with absent lock escutcheon, worn lining, and minor handling/storage marks. The Colt London Agency label shows a handwritten note in pencil dated 1915.
Provenance: John Kopec; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 1245
Exceptionally Fine
Engraved Colt First Model
Derringer with Case -
Serial no. 1357, 41 RF cal.,
2 1/2 inch irregular bbl.,
nickel/silver finish, metal
grips. Manufactured circa
1870-1890. Blade front and
hammer notch rear sights,
with the top of the barrel
marked “COLT’S PT.F.A.
MFG. Co/HARTFORD CT.
U.S.A.” followed by “ No1”
and flanked by Maltese
crosses. The matching serial
number is on the butt of the grip and
the bottom of the barrel. Light scroll
engraving on the sides of the frame with
a burst design ahead of the hammer
and scrollwork behind. There is a small “S”
marked in front of the trigger guard. Includes a custom hardwood presentation case.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% of the original nickel and silver finishes with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina on high spots and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine with a hairline crack on the lid and minimal handling marks overall. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 1246
Attractive London Retailer Cased Engraved Silver Plated Colt Third Model “Thuer” Derringer with Pearl Grips - Serial no. 39138, 41 RF cal., 2 1/2 inch round bbl., silver finish, pearl grips. These derringers were introduced
in 1870 and totaled around 48,000 produced. This derringer has gorgeous factory quality engraving on over half of the metal surfaces consisting mainly of highly detailed scrollwork as well as an ornate zig-zag band around the muzzle. The top of the barrel has a rounded blade front sight and “COLT” in large italic letters and the bottom of the barrel has small British proofs. It is fitted with a pair of smooth pearl grips. Includes an oak presentation case with Colt London Agency interior label, key, cleaning rod, and two .41 RF cartridges.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% plus of
the period replated silver finish with a few scattered areas having thinned to reveal an attractively aged brass and a few patches of very light flaking. The grips are fine with a few scattered, barely noticeable, light chips along the edges. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine with some scattered light handling/storage marks.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 1247
Presentation Cased Pair of Colt Third Model “Thuer”
Derringers -A) Colt Third Model “Thuer” Derringer -
Serial no. 45152, 41 RF cal., 2 inch round bbl., nickel finish,
hardwood grips. Manufacturing began in 1870. This pair are
both of the Second Type, featuring the short, sloped hammers and no bolster on the front bottom of the frame.
Both have the standard italic Colt marking on top of the barrel, with the serial numbers marked on the left side of the grip frames, as well as hand marked on the inside of the grip panels on both. “41 CAL” is marked on the left of the frame on both pistols. They are housed in an included attractive hardwood case with brass corners and escutcheon on the lid, a cartridge block inside, and an oiler.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% plus of the original nickel finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina, primarily near the muzzle. The grips are very good with some scattered light handling marks. There is a series of minor dings on the butt of the grip frame and butt of the left grip panel. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine with minimal handling/storage evidence. B) Colt Third Model “Thuer” Derringer - Serial no. 651, 41 RF cal., 2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, hardwood grips. See “A”.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% plus of the original nickel finish with some scattered light handling marks and a few
light flakes. The grips are very fine with a few scattered dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000 243