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LOT 3128
Documented Famed Texas Retailer Wolf & Klar
Shipped Factory Engraved Colt First Generation Single
Action Army Revolver with Ivory Grip, Holster, and Factory Letter - Serial no. 343315, 45
Long Colt cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., silver finish, ivory grips. The accompanying factory letter
lists this revolver as shipped in a single gun shipment on September 19, 1922, to Wolf & Klar
in Fort Worth, Texas, on Colt factory order #6225/1, as factory engraved, in .45 caliber with a 5
1/2 inch barrel, nickel finish, and type of grip not listed. Wolf & Klar was a prominent hardware,
jewelry, and gun store that attracted Texas outlaws and lawmen among others. Gunmakers Colt
and Smith & Wesson counted the company as one of their biggest customers. The revolver is
embellished by Wilbur Glahn’s factory shop with engraving consisting of floral designs and
scrollwork on punchdot backgrounds, and features an ivory grip. R. L. Wilson on page 385 of “The
Colt Engraving Book, Volume One” wrote, “The grand total of engraved Single Action Army revolvers (excluding the Bisley Model and
Flattop Target Model) from 1873 through 1940 is approximately 3,000. A number of these also included hand engraved inscriptions
or monograms. For the period of Cuno Helfricht (through c. 1921) the total of factory engraved Single Action Army revolvers was
approximately 2,550...” That leaves less than 500 for subsequent years leading up to World War II. Others estimate as many as 4,500
engraved First Generation Single Action Army revolvers, but that still accounts for only approximately 1.26% of production based on a
total of 357,859, per production figures on page 25 of “Blue Book Pocket Guide for Colt Dates of Manufacture” by R.L. Wilson. Matching
serial number “3315” on the rear face of the cylinder, with illegible assembly number on the loading gate. Matching full serial number
on right side of front and rear grip strap under grip. Includes an unmarked period brown leather single loop holster.
CONDITION: Fine, with some frontier character, retains 80% period replated silver finish, with surface bubbling, some minor flaking
and oxidation, and defined engraving. Grip is very good, with attractive darkened patina, handling marks, and age lines. Mechanically
excellent. Holster is good.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
LOT 3129
Historic Engraved Val
Verde County, Texas
Deputy M. Sharp Badge
- Manufactured c. the
late 1880s to 1890s, this
badge has a very similar
appearance to other
examples of antique
Texas law enforcement
badges that were
stamped as made by
C. Stubenrauch of San Antonio, Texas. Val Verde County was formally established in 1885
and saloon keeper Roy Bean was elected the first justice of the peace, calling himself “The
Only Law West of the Pecos”. This particular badge is engraved for deputy “M. SHARP”,
who remains unidentified. The remainder of the engraving shows similar patterns to other
Stubenrauch badges we have cataloged, and the period brass pin is mounted in a similar
manner to other badges known to have been made by the firm.
CONDITION: Very fine, with the nickel silver remaining mostly bright, some light scratches,
one of the lower points slightly bent, and crisp engraving overall. A desirable Texas law
enforcement badge!
Provenance: The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
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