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LOT 3327
Very Scarce Factory Grade “B” Engraved Colt Officer’s Model
Special Double Action .22 Revolver with Pearl Grips and Factory
Letter Shipped to Jose Maria Gamarra, the “Coca King”
of Bolivia - Serial no. 64093, 22 LR cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue finish,
pearl grips. Manufactured in 1952, this is a very scarce example of a
Colt Officer’s Model Special revolver. Knowledgeable collectors believe
that only around 5,000 of these revolvers in .22 L.R. were produced in
total, and it is quite possible this is the only example documented as
factory engraved. In “The Book of Colt Firearms” by Wilson, it is noted
that the author was aware of no factory engraved or cased examples
of this model, meaning that this particular revolver quite possibly
may be the only one in existence. The included factory letter lists the
revolver in .22 L.R. with a 6 inch barrel, blue finish, pearl grips, and
factory Grade “B” engraved when shipped on 18 July 1952, as the sole
gun of this type in the shipment. It is listed as shipped to “C. Zalles I.”
at the address “Suc. de G. Ormachea P. Para Soc. Argicola [sic] Inds. J.M.
Gamarra, SA, Calles Socabaya 147, La Paz, Bolivia”. The final recipient
of this revolver is Jose Maria Gamarra, often referred to as the “Coca
King”, who by 1928 had acquired seven coca plantations, five of which
were the richest out of all 272 coca plantations in the Yungas region
of Bolivia. In 1938, Gamarra was behind the scenes pulling political
strings which secured a trade deal, requiring Argentina to purchase
500,000 kilograms of coca per year despite it having just been labeled a
narcotic by the Bolivian government. Gamarra is known for constantly
increasing his land holdings and power right up
until his death in 1953, a year after this revolver
was shipped to him. An advertisement for these
revolvers shown on p. 356 of the previously
mentioned book describes them as “...designed to
satisfy all shooters, whether they go in for precision
target shooting, occasional plinking or the serious
business of law enforcement.” The revolver itself shows extensive
coverage factory floral scroll engraving which covers more than
three-quarters of the surfaces. The model and caliber marking
are on the left of the barrel, nearly surrounded by scrollwork. The
Rampant Colt is marked on the left of the frame. The matching serial
number is on the frame and crane. It is fitted with the typical ramped
Patridge blade front sight and adjustable notch rear sight in a dovetail
on the top strap, as well as a pair of smooth pearl grips with Colt
medallions at the tops.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% of the original blue finish with
some light muzzle wear and a light cylinder turn line. The grips are
also excellent with only the slightest handling marks. Mechanically
functions in double action, single action needs work. An extremely
scarce, factory engraved Colt Officer’s Model Special documented as
shipped to the “Coca King” of Bolivia!
Provenance: Jose Maria Gamarra; The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 9,500 - 15,000