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LOT 3123
Highly Desirable Factory Engraved
Colt New Line .30 Spur Trigger Revolver
with Gold Plated Cylinder, Pearl Grips, and Factory
Letter - Serial no. 10238, 30 RF cal., 2 1/4 inch round bbl., nickel/gold finish,
pearl grips. Manufactured in 1886, this is an exceptionally attractive, factory
engraved Colt New Line revolver with a gold plated cylinder and pearl grips that appears to have been very closely
patterned after some of the New Line revolvers on Colt’s famous “wheel display” a decade earlier at the Centennial
Exposition in Philadelphia. The display was built in Hartford specifically for the exposition and received a lot of attention both at the World’s Fair
itself and into the 21st century as collectors eagerly seek out the historic Colts that made up Colt’s most famous display, as well as those that show
the same deluxe features like this example. The included factory letter lists the revolver in .30 RF caliber with a 2 1/4 inch barrel, nickel finish with a
gold cylinder, pearl grips, and factory engraving when it was shipped to Pribyl Brothers in Chicago, Illinois on 16 August 1886, as a single gun shipment. The engraving
on this revolver consists of punch-dot backed intertwining vine scroll and floral engraving along with a circular pinwheel shaped design on the side plate. The top
of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address. The caliber marking and full serial number are marked on the butt, the matching last four digits of the
serial number are marked on the bottom of the barrel and rear face of the cylinder, and the matching last three digits are hand marked in pencil inside both grip
panels. It is fitted with a blade front sight, frame-top groove rear sight, and an attractive pair of smooth pearl grips.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 90% of the original nickel finish and 30% of the delicate period replated gold finish on the cylinder, a few scattered patches of light
flaking, some scattered light dings, and crisp engraving. The grips are excellent with a faint age line on the left panel and otherwise only the slightest handling
marks. Mechanically excellent. A very attractive and highly desirable, exhibition grade deluxe Colt New Line revolver!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 3122
Engraved Colt Third Model
“Thuer” Derringer with Colt
London Agency Cigar Style Case - Serial no. P35365, 41
RF cal., 2 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/nickel finish, walnut grips.
Introduced in 1870, these Third Model “Thuer” derringers
were the third iteration of Colt’s single shot pocket pistol. This
example is a later production model with the sloping hammer
and more moderate curve to the grip profile. Pocket pistols such as
these, particularly deluxe engraved examples like this one, would have been a desirable form
of defense for affluent residents of London seeking to protect themselves. The top of the barrel
is marked “COLT” in italics and “41 CAL” is faintly visible under the engraving on the left of the
frame. There are British proofs on the bottom of the barrel. The matching serial number is
marked on the left of the grip frame, on the bottom of the barrel (last three digits), and in
pencil on the inside of each grip panel. It also shows about 75% coverage beautiful, period
retailer applied floral scroll engraving. It is fitted with a blade front sight and a pair of smooth grips.
The included case is a burgundy leather wrapped cigar style case with royal blue lined interior and gilt Colt London
Agency marking on the lid lining.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% of the original blue finish on the barrel and 75% of the period retailer applied nickel finish
on the frame with the balance either a grey patina or attractively aged brass, a few small patches of light oxidation, and
crisp engraving. The grips are very fine with a few light dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine with
some mild wear and handling evidence. A highly attractive, London shipped and cased, Colt “Thuer” derringer!
Provenance: The L.C. McCrary Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
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