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LOT 143
Documented Las Vegas New Mexico
Shipped Nickel Colt First Generation
Single Action Army Revolver with
Factory Relief Carved Steer Head
Medallion Grip with Factory Letter -
Serial no. 338179, 32 WCF cal., 4 3/4 inch
round bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips.
The accompanying factory letter confirms the
4 3/4 inch barrel in .32-20 caliber, nickel plating,
grip material and carved steer head grip. The letter also
states the revolver was for E.J. Tucker and shipped to Charles
Ilfeld Co. of Las Vegas, New Mexico (incorrectly lists Las Vegas,
Nevada), on April 12, 1920. Charles Ilfeld arrived in Santa Fe,
New Mexico, from his native Germany in 1865 to clerk for a
mercantile business. His business partnership with Adolph Letcher & Co. led him to relocate to Las Vegas, New Mexico, where he eventually purchased Adolph Letcher’s interest in the firm and changed the name of the business to Charles Ilfeld Co. Ilfeld grew the business into the largest mercantile firm in New Mexico. The company was liquidated in 1970. The revolver is fitted with silver Rampant Colt medallion grips featuring the highly desirable factory documented relief carved steer head on the right panel. As Colt historian and author R.L. Wilson noted, only “a few” SAAs had factory hand carved steer head motif grips. The barrel has “32 W.C.F.” marked on the left side of the barrel and the two-line Hartford address on top. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent date marking followed by a Rampant Colt. The trigger guard has the number
“1” and the Colt factory triangle proof on the left side. Matching serial numbers appear on the frame, left side of the trigger guard under the grip, and back strap.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 90% plus period replated nickel plating with
smooth gray patina on the balance. The grip is very fine showing slight surface chipping
towards the top (left panel), typical age lines on the bottom, attractive grain and color and
crisp factory carving. Mechanically excellent. A highly attractive Las Vegas, New Mexico shipped Peacemaker featuring highly sought after factory nickel and steer head carved stocks that will be a welcomed addition to any SAA collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
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