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LOT 3324
Well-Documented Wolf and Klar, Fort Worth, Texas, Shipped
Wilbur Glahn Factory Engraved Colt New Service Double
Action Revolver with Pearl Grips and Factory Letter, Pictured
in “Colt’s New Service Revolver” by Mullin - Serial no. 318984,
45 Long Colt cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips.
Manufactured in 1923, this is a rare and highly attractive example
of a Wilbur Glahn factory engraved Colt New Service revolver that is
documented as shipped to one of the most famous Texas retailers.
Engraved examples of the New Service Model are quite scarce, with
R.L. Wilson noting on p. 584 of “The Colt Engraving Book Vol. II” that
“Colt ledgers show less than seventy-five engraved...” The same
number is also mentioned in “The Book of Colt Firearms” by Wilson.
This particular revolver is prominently pictured and described on
p. 122-123 of “Colt’s New Service Revolver” by Timothy J. Mullin,
where it is noted as factory engraved with German-style scrollwork
by Wilbur Glahn. The included factory letter lists the revolver in
.45 caliber with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, nickel finish, grips not listed,
and factory engraved when shipped to Wolf & Klar in Fort Worth,
Texas, on 17 April 1923, the only gun of its type in the shipment.
This particular revolver exhibits the factory “B” Grade engraving
which encompasses approximately three-quarters of the surfaces,
exhibiting the vine-like scrollwork on a stippled background that is
typical of the work of Colt Master Engraver Wilbur Glahn. The top of
the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address and patent
dates, while the model and caliber marking are on the left, both
surrounded by scrollwork. The Rampant Colt is on the left of the
frame, nestled among the scrollwork. The matching serial number
is on the frame and crane. A lanyard swivel is mounted on the butt.
It is fitted with a blade front sight, frame-top groove rear sight, and
a pair of highly attractive pearl grips with Colt medallions at the
tops of both panels.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 90% of the original nickel finish with
some minor flaking at the muzzle and on top of the barrel, some
light edge wear, and crisp engraving overall. The grips are also very
fine with a few hairline age cracks and an attractively aged tone
overall. Mechanically excellent. A rare and attractive example of a
Wilbur Glahn factory engraved Colt New Service revolver!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 8,000 - 12,000
According to "The Book of Colt Firearms"
by Wilson, fewer than 75 Colt New Service
Revolvers were factory engraved.
As pictured & described
in Colt's New Service
Revolver by Mullin