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LOT 1281
Rare Documented Factory Engraved, Gold Plated, and Presentation
Inscribed Colt Police Positive Double Action Revolver with Pearl Grips,
Presentation Case and Factory Letter - Serial no. 347382, 38 Special cal., 4
inch round bbl., blue finish, pearl grips. This is an attractive example of a rare
special order, factory presentation Colt Police Positive double action revolver.
This stunning revolver is accompanied by a Colt factory letter that verifies
the exact configuration of this revolver to include the “special” presentation
inscription on the left side of the revolver. The Colt letter lists this revolver
as the only gun of its type in a shipment to “Arms Selling Expense”, Colt’s
Firearms Mfg. Company, New York Office attn; Albert Foster Jr. In The Book
of Colt Firearms, by R.L. Wilson, he states that there were approximately 170
engraved Police Positive revolvers manufactured with only 7 ever having gold
inlays, with no mention of the number of engraved revolvers with blue and
gold finishes. Obviously, this a desirable and rare, special order revolver.
The Colt factory letter lists this revolver as having “level 2” engraving
which includes the name “Michael J. Delehuntry” being engraved on the
left side of the revolver. The engraving itself is composed of light scrolls
on various major areas of the revolver covering approximately 1/4 of
the metal surfaces. The revolver has a very high polish blue finish on the
metal parts with a “gold” plated wash on the entire cylinder and ejector,
the trigger, hammer and ejector rod. The barrel is marked on top with the
Colt factory two line address and patent dates, with the left side marked,
“POLICE/POSITIVE-.38 SPECIAL”. The factory Rampant Colt trade mark is
located on the left side of the frame with the “special presentation”
inscription noted above, directly below it. It is fitted with
a beautiful set of factory pearl grips with Colt
silver medallions at the top of each grip. This likely
one-of-a-kind factory presentation Colt revolver
is housed in a 7 1/2 x 10 1/2 inch leather bound
presentation case with a French fitted interior with
green lining. The case holds the revolver along
with wooden cartridge block that
holds 61 cartridges, (currently 57
included) along with a slot at
the top of the case for a Colt
nylon cleaning brush.
CONDITION: Very fine as factory refurbished with 99% of the high
polish blue and gold finishes. The pearl grips are excellent with
beautiful colors on both sides. Mechanically excellent. The presentation
case is fine with most of the leather covering intact, showing wear and
scuffing on the corners and edges overall. This is an extremely rare,
probably one-of-a-kind, beautiful, factory engraved and gold plated
double action presentation Colt Police Positive revolver.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500