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LOT 3134
Rare Documented Factory Engraved and Nickel Plated
Colt Bisley Model Single Action Army Revolver with Pearl
Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no. 217447, 45 Long Colt
cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. Offered here
is an attractive Cuno Helfricht attributed factory engraved and
nickel plated Colt Bisley Model Single Action Army revolver with
pearl grips. The accompanying factory letter lists this Bisley Model
revolver as shipped in a single gun shipment on December 5, 1901,
to Simmons Hardware Company in St. Louis, Missouri, the gateway
to the West, and confirms it as factory engraved in .45
caliber with a 4 3/4 inch barrel, nickel finish, and pearl grips.
On pages 265-267 of “The Book of Colt Firearms” author
R.L Wilson notes, “Engraved Bisley revolvers are very
rare, and Colt factory records indicate that less than 60
were made”. Master Engraver Cuno Helfricht spent his
nearly 50 year career exclusively with the Colt firm
(1871-1921). During his tenure with Colt, Helfricht
saw the transition from percussion to cartridge
firearms and a rapidly growing market for engraved
firearms. At the height of the firearm engraving fad,
Helfricht oversaw a shop of six engravers.
By the turn of the century, experts believe
that Helfricht did most of the work himself with the help from one to two
assistants. Helfricht’s successor’s included famed Colt engravers Wilbur
Glahn and William Gough. The revolver is embellished with wonderful
factory engraving, consisting of floral scrollwork on beaded backgrounds,
wavy zigzag line and dot designs, and some star designs. The standard
two-line Colt Hartford address is stamped on top of the barrel, with the
“(BISLEY MODEL) 45 COLT” on the left in a border. The two-line patent
dates and circled Rampant Colt are on the left of the frame. Matching
visible full serial numbers on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard,
and back strap, with an unnumbered cylinder, and assembly number
“89” on the loading gate.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 70% plus bright original nickel finish
with some holster type wear, some patches of minor pitting,
and crisp engraving overall. Grips are also very fine, with highly
attractive fiery colors, a few very minor age lines and nicks, and
distinct edges. Mechanically excellent. This is a rare and attractive
documented factory engraved, nickel plated Colt Bisley Model Single Action
Army revolver with pearl grips! These are seldom offered!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000
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