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The Open Top Pocket revolver in this set exhibits the exquisite intertwining floral scroll engraving
discussed above on approximately three-quarters of its surface, with a detailed horse’s head worked
into the vines on the left side of the frame. The non-fluted cylinder features an attractive vaulted pattern
around its rear half, and the barrel lug features a crosshatched pattern. The standard two-line address is
on top of the barrel flanked by Maltese crosses. The matching serial number is on the butt, bottom of the
barrel lug, and on the inside of each grip panel in ink. It is fitted with standard sights and a pair of very
attractive, diamond pattern checkered, walnut grips with small silver escutcheons at the tops, each hand
engraved with “1877”.
The New Line .22 revolver in the pair is extensively adorned with the “special scroll style” engraving,
encompassing more than three-quarters of the surfaces. There is an ornate eagle’s head worked into
the scrollwork on the right side of the frame and a rosette type design on the sideplate on the left.
Flourishes of scroll adorn the cylinder between the flutes and both flats of the barrel. The top of the
barrel has the standard two-line address, the model marking is in an etched panel on the left, and the
patent date is on the bottom. The matching serial number is marked on the butt and faintly in pencil
inside the right grip panel, while the matching last four digits are on the rear face of the cylinder and
the bottom of the barrel. It is fitted with standard sights and a pair of highly attractive, diamond pattern
checkered ebony grips with small silver escutcheons at the tops, each hand engraved with “1877”,
matching the other revolver.
Both of the revolvers have gold plated barrels and cylinders, while the
frames are silver plated. The small parts on both of the revolvers are nitre
blued, including the sideplate on the New Line, creating striking contrast.
The engraving on the two is certainly not identical but shows matching
themes, patterns, and styles, all of which were almost certainly
executed by the same hand, whether that be the hand of Gustave
Young, L.D. Nimschke, Herman Ulrich, or another unidentified,
extremely talented artisan. The pair are contained in an
included, beautiful, mahogany presentation case with a
blank German silver escutcheon on the lid, purple velvet
lining, a lightly engraved silver cartridge block with a full
compliment of cartridges, two cleaning rods, and a key.
Overall, this unique pair of presentation cased, exhibition
engraved, deluxe revolvers present a striking example of late
19th century American firearms artistry that is sure to become
the centerpiece of almost any such collection.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 75% plus of the original
gold plating, 95% of the attractively aged silver plating, and 80%
plus of the original nitre blue with the balance mostly showing a
silvery-grey patina and the engraving remaining very crisp overall.
The grips are excellent with a few scattered light handling marks
and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine
with a few hairline grain separations in the lid, otherwise light
exterior wear, and the interior showing moderate fading and
minor wear on the lining. In the words of R.L. Wilson, “In overall
quality, rarity and condition, and nested in the exquisite
casing, these revolvers are in a class by themselves.”
B) Colt Etched Panel New Line .22 Revolver - Serial no.
49068, 22 RF cal., 2 1/4 inch slab sided bbl., gold/silver/nitre
blue finish, walnut grips. See “A”.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 60% of the original
gold plating, 90% plus of the attractively aged original
silver plating, and 90% plus of the original nitre blue with
some mild edge and high spot wear showing a silvery-
grey patina or attractively aged brass and both a crisp
etched panel and crisp engraving overall. The grips are
excellent with a few very light dings and crisp checkering.
Mechanically excellent. This is a truly astounding cased
pair or Colt pocket revolvers that are embellished at the
very highest grade of deluxe exhibition quality that could
easily be a centerpiece of the finest public or private
Colt collections!
Provenance: The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection.
Estimate: 55,000 - 85,000
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