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LOT 1116
Historic Serial Number
5 Colt House Model
“Cloverleaf” Spur Trigger
Revolver Inscribed to
General William F. “Baldy”
Smith with Deluxe Relief Carved Grips - Serial no. 5, 41
RF cal., 3 inch round bbl., blue/silver finish, hard rubber grips.
Manufactured in 1871, at the very start of production, this
desirable Colt “Cloverleaf” revolver bears the single digit serial
number 5. Only around 7,500 of the “Cloverleaf” type with
their distinctive four-shot cylinders were produced by
Colt before switching over to a less distinctive five-shot
cylinder. It is fitted with a beautiful pair of deluxe,
relief carved grips which show floral vine motifs,
as well as a Rampant Colt on the right panel. The
back strap is inscribed “Gen. W.F. Smith.” which
is believed to reference General William Farrar
“Baldy” Smith (1824-1903). Smith graduated
from West Point in 1841 and during the Civil
War was quickly made brigadier general after
helping to organize the 1st Vermont Brigade.
After the Seven Days Battles in 1862, he was
promoted to major general and led a division at
the Battle of Antietam with “conspicuous
valor”. Smith was again promoted
and was in command of VI Corps of
the Army of the Potomac going into the
Battle of Fredericksburg, and he was one of
the major officers that was demoted after the
disastrous defeat there. In late 1863, Smith was assigned
as chief engineer of the Army of the Cumberland where he had many successes. By mid-1864, Smith was again
in command of a corps and took part in the Petersburg Campaign, where some claim he was overly cautious at
times, missing an opportunity to potential end the war sooner. After the war, he served in multiple civilian roles,
including as president of the International Telegraph Company until 1873, during which time this revolver was
likely presented to him. After his death in 1903, he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
CONDITION: Very good overall, with strong traces of the original finishes in sheltered areas, a few patches of light
surface spotting, attractively aged brass, and fine grips with a few minor chips and dings and well-defined carving.
Mechanically functions.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 1118
Desirable and Very Scarce
“Big Colt” Inscribed Colt
Etched Panel New Line .41
Spur Trigger Revolver Pictured from
The William M. Locke Collection
- Serial no. 472, 41 RF cal., 2 1/4
inch round bbl., nickel finish,
rosewood grips. Manufactured
in 1874, this is a unique example
of Colt’s New Line .41 revolver
that has “Big Colt” engraved on
the right side of the barrel, while
the left side of the barrel has the
desirable etched panel with the
model and caliber markings. While
these revolvers certainly weren’t
as big as the Single Action Army
that was introduced the same
year, these New Line .41 revolvers
definitely packed a big punch in a
small package, earning the nickname
placed on this particular example. It
is possible that “Big Colt” may have
been a name the Benjamin Kittredge
Company was attempting to coin, as it’s
known the New Line .38 revolver were
sometimes referred to as “Pet Colts”. The matching serial number is on the left of the grip frame, bottom of the
barrel, and rear face of the cylinder. The inside of the replacement grips are hand numbered “1046”. This revolver
is pictured on p. 198 of “The William M. Locke Collection” by Sellers.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% of the retailer applied nickel finish, with a few scattered patches of light
flaking and pitting, a visible etched panel, and crisp engraving. The grips are fine with some scattered light dings
and retain almost all the original varnish. Mechanically functions.
Provenance: The William M. Locke Collection; The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 1117
Highly Desirable Colt Etched Panel New Police “Cop &
Thug” Spur Trigger Revolver - Serial no. 17095, 38 CF cal., 4 1/2
inch round bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured c. 1882-1884,
this is a fine example of the highly desirable Colt New Police Model revolver
with the attractive etched panel on the barrel, an ejector rod, and the “cop & thug” grips. It is
estimated that only around 4,000 of these attractive revolvers were produced by Colt from 1882
to 1886, and they were split amongst multiple barrel lengths and some without ejectors. The top
of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address, while the model and caliber marking
are in the etched panel on the left. The serial number is marked on the butt, and the matching
last four digits are faintly hand-marked inside both grip panels. It is fitted with standard sights,
an ejector rod, and the original, hard rubber, “cop & thug” grips.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% of the original nickel finish with some patches of mild wear, scattered light flaking,
and a distinct etched panel. The grips are also fine with a minor flat spot on the right panel and otherwise crisp
checkering and imagery. Mechanically excellent. This is a fine example of the desirable Colt “cop & thug” revolver!
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,750
LOT 1119
Collector’s Lot of Three Boxes of Winchester 38 and 41 Caliber Ammunition - 1) Box of Winchester 38 Short
Center Fire Colt ammunition, green top label with orange seal, with a picture of a “.38 SHORT” marked cartridge
and text identifying the round as “FOR COLT’S REVOLVER”. 2) Box of Winchester .38 Short ammunition, Blue label
with orange seal, with prominent “COLT’S.” marking in the center of the label and a notation as “Rifle Cartridges”.
3) Box of Winchester .41 Long Rim Fire cartridges, green label with blue seal, with a picture of a “.41/LONG”
marked cartridges on the label.
CONDITION: Fine or better overall, with minor stains
and wear. The seals show some minor wear but
appear unbroken, and the weight is consistent with
full boxes.
Provenance: The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
As pictured &
described in
Wm. M. Locke by
Sellers