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LOT 1263
Excellent Wolf &
Klar Texas Shipped and Engraved Colt Army Special Double Action Revolver, with Factory Letter - Serial
no. 500853, 38 Special cal., 5 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. Per the included factory letter, this Army
Special revolver was one of six shipped to noted dealers Wolf & Klar of Fort Worth, Texas on April 7, 1925, with
the letter verifying the caliber, barrel length, and finish. The grips are noted as “rubber”, and no mention is made
of engraving; the engraving pattern, in particular the use of tight zig-zags as the fundamental linework, follows
Wolf & Klar’s distinctive in-house embellishment patterns. Blade front and notch rear sights, with standard markings, smooth
trigger and a checkered hammer. An importer marking is under the topstrap. The grips are unnumbered, showing a pattern of checkering and
flats known to have been used on factory grips of the period. The engraving covers about 25% of the revolver, chiefly vine and floral patterns, strongest on
the sides of the frame; the Rampant Colt on the sideplate has been preserved, but no special effort was made to direct the engraving around the model or
triggerguard markings.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 90% of the original nickel finish, showing some light handling marks. The grips are very fine, slightly oversized, with minor dings,
verdigris buildup, and strong checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 1264
Gold Plated Colt New Pocket Model Double Action Revolver with Pearl Grips Attributed as Presented to Navy
Cross Recipient John A. O’Toole - Serial no. 9147, 32 cal., 6 inch round bbl., gold finish, pearl grips. Manufactured in
1897. This wonderful Colt New Pocket Model revolver features gold plating, with niter blue finish small parts, pearl grips,
with the initials “JAO” inscribed in a monogram on the right of the frame and inlaid on the right grip panel. It is attributed
as presented to Ensign John A. O’Toole (May 16, 1916-November 8, 1942) upon graduating from the Naval Reserve Midshipmen’s
School in Chicago. O’Toole enlisted on May 7, 1942, as an Ensign and was assigned to the U.S.S. Joseph Hewes (AP-50). He
commanded a boat wave from that transport during the assault on Fedhala, Morocco, in French North Africa during Operation
Torch, during which he directed the offloading of men and material while under heavy artillery fire from the enemy and was
killed while withdrawing from the beach on November 8, 1942. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for “his great
personal valor and relentless fighting spirit.” The destroyer escort DE-274 was named U.S.S. O’Toole after him. The barrel is marked
“COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. CO./HARTFORD CT. U.S.A./PATENTED AUG. 5.1884.” on top and “COLT. D. A. 32” on the left side. Circled Rampant Colt logo on the left side
of the frame. Matching visible serial number “9147” on the frame and cylinder crane, with assembly number “134” on the cylinder. Includes consignor supplied
research scans and a sterling silver ring inscribed “JAO”.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 95% period retailer applied gold plating, 90% niter blue finish, with some minor pitting, and distinct markings. Grips are fine, with
attractive iridescence, a loosely threaded grip screw, a minor age line on the right, and well-defined edges. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,500