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LOT 3321
Factory Engraved, Inscribed
Colt Police Positive Double Action
Revolver with Pearl Grips, Deluxe Hand
Carved Holster and Factory Letter - Serial
no. 59090, 38 Special cal., 5 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, pearl grips. Manufactured in 1912,
this Colt Police Positive double action revolver is
documented as being factory engraved and inscribed.
This revolver was engraved in a “B+” coverage on
approximately half of the metal surfaces, in the ever popular
and highly desirable Cuno Helfricht pattern. It’s fitted with smooth
pearl grips. This exceptional revolver is accompanied by a Colt factory letter
that verifies this pistol as being factory engraved with engraved initials on the side plate
and shipped as the only gun of its type to Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. of Chicago,
Illinois, on May 21, 1912. As noted it has a beautiful Cuno Helfricht pattern engraving
with large scrolls, heavy punch-dot background and his classic style of zig-zag geometric
engraving patterns on the chambers of the cylinder, the side plate, top strap and flats of
the frame. A circular pattern has been engraved around the “Rampant Colt/C” on the left
side plate which ends with a small engraved banner
under the Colt logo. Inside the banner it has been
prominently engraved with the initials “F.M.G.” (mistakenly
listed as F.M.Y. on the factory letter). The layout and detail
is absolutely flawless and was probably done by the master engraver
himself or certainly in his shop by a senior engraver as it is beautiful. The pistol has
been fitted with a set of beautiful pearl grips that have the Colt medallions on the top
of each grip. The grips have been correctly factory numbered in ink on the back sides.
Also accompanying this revolver is an equally rare early unmarked 1910-20s era hand
carved leather holster. It has a full length wide skirt on the back side and the face of the
holster has been hand carved with a large floral motif that has a rough texture pattern
background. The edge of the holster has the old original style hand laced leather strap
stitching commonly used in the Mexican style double and single loop holsters. The back
and inside of the holster is covered in a soft buckskin lining and has a single strap to hold
the revolver inside the holster.
CONDITION: Fine with 70% of the original high polish blue finish, a light patina on the
grip straps and minor flaking and thinning on the sides of the cylinder and front area
of the barrel. The front sight has been filed down slightly. The engraving is excellent
with nice sharp features and detail. The grips are very fine showing great color with a
few barely noticeable chips on the edges in a couple of places. Mechanically excellent.
The holster is fine with beautiful hand carving on the face with nice tight stitching on
the sides. The lining on the back and inside the holster shows some minor stains from
use but is fully intact. Mechanically functions. A beautiful very early Cuno Helfricht Colt
factory engraved revolver rig.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000