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Featured in the books
Colt Engraving and
The Colt Engraving Book, Vol. I by Wilson and
The Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver by Pate
The visible serial numbers match on both revolvers. The left side of the trigger guards have “2” and “44 CAL.” The revolvers are fitted with deluxe walnut grips with “piano” varnish finish. They come in a very scarce deluxe factory double presentation case with brass fittings and red lining along with two Eley Bros. cap tins, spare nipples and springs, a Colt’s patent powder flask with sloped charge, L-shaped combination tool, key, blued dual cavity ball/bullet mold with “44H” and “S” markings on the right arm, two cartridge packs, and an assortment of lead balls and bullets. The original flask and cap tins were swapped out by George Lewis, and Greg Lampe replaced them with correct examples appropriate for this incredible cased set.
These stunning revolvers have been attributed as engraved by Master Engraver Gustave Young. By 1862, Young was no longer the primary engraving contractor for Colt as he had made a return trip to Germany in 1858-1861, but he was employed as a “pistol maker” at Colt upon returning per records cited by Herbert Houze in “Colt Factory Engravers of the 19th Century” before becoming a private engraver in Hartford. The engraving patterns are similar to examples attributed to both Georg H. Sterzing and Young, and both men would have had similar training and styles. Sterzing and others were overlooked for many years due to the emphasis on Young in Wilson’s books. The engraving may be by Young, Sterzing, or both of them working together given some of the notable differences in the finer details of the engraving. The animal masks are certainly more detailed on the first revolver.
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