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LOT 3334
Highly Desirable Documented
Loan Account Shipped Factory
Class “C” Alvin Herbert Master
Engraved Colt Detective Special
Double Action Revolver with Box
and Factory Letter - Serial no. 664018, 38
Special cal., 2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. Manufactured in 1959, this is a very scarce
example of a factory engraved Colt Detective
Special revolver. The included factory letter lists
the revolver in .38 Special caliber with a 2 inch
barrel, blue finish, grips not listed, and factory
Class “C” deluxe engraving when charged to
the loan account and shipped to Pete Kuhlhoff
in Clinton, Connecticut, on 1 April 1959, the
only gun of this type in the shipment. The
letter further states that this revolver was used
as part of Colt’s traveling display, returned to
the factory on 11 May 1959, and subsequently
shipped to Wm. Quinn & Son in Freehold, New Jersey, on 28 October 1968. In “The Book of Colt Firearms” by Sutherland and Wilson, the authors note that
from 1941 to the time of publishing only an estimated 50 Colt Detective Specials received factory engraving. The engraving on this particular revolver is the work of Colt Master Engraver Alvin F. Herbert, and it is noted in “The Colt
Engraving Book Vol. II” by Wilson that Herbert only engraved about 25 Detective Special revolvers. The factory Class “C” engraving is extensive, encompassing nearly all the surfaces with vine-like scrollwork and floral blossoms on
a matted background. The barrel is marked with the two-line address on the right and the model and caliber marking on the left. The Rampant Colt is marked on the left of the frame, nestled amongst the engraving. The matching
serial number is on the frame and crane, with the matching last three digits inside each of the grip panels in white pencil. It is fitted with a blade front sight, a frame-top groove rear sight, and a pair of checkered walnut grips with
Colt medallions at the tops. Includes a reproduction Colt “wood grain” box with tape-attached end label matching hand numbered to the gun.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 99% plus of the original blue finish with only the slightest handling marks, faint cylinder turn lines, and crisp engraving overall. The grips are also excellent with only the slightest handling marks and
crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is very fine with some light handling/storage wear. A rare opportunity to add an Alvin Herbert factory master engraved Detective Special to your collection of Colt revolvers!
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 3335
Excellent and Rare
Nickel Plated Colt
Marshal Model Double
Action Revolver with
Original Box and Factory Letter -
Serial no. 836616, 38 Special cal., 2 inch
round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1954. The included factory
letter confirms the revolver’s configuration,
including a 2 inch barrel in .38 Special
caliber, nickel finish, and type of grips not listed, when
included in a shipment of three revolvers of this same
type sent to Olympic Wholesale Company in Los Angeles,
California, on December 23, 1954. Features fixed serrated
blade front and top strap notch rear sights, the two-line Colt
address roll-marked on the right side of the barrel with the model
and caliber designations on the left side, a Rampant Colt on the left of the frame,
along with Colt factory “triangle/VP” and “P” proofs on the left side of the trigger
guard. Matching serial numbers on the crane
and frame. Includes the original Colt maroon box with appropriate end labels and matching
serial number written on the underside, containing a bore brush.
CONDITION: Excellent plus, near new in box, retaining 99% original nickel plating with faint
cylinder drag lines, limited minor handling evidence, and crisp roll-marks. The grips are also
excellent with a few minor handling marks in the well-defined checkering. Mechanically
excellent. The box is very fine with minor edge wear.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500