*EXTRAORDINARY PAIR OF FACTORY ENGRAVED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVERS.

*EXTRAORDINARY PAIR OF FACTORY ENGRAVED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVERS. SN 346604 & 347042. Cal. 45 Colt. Built identically with nickel finish, 4 3/4″ barrels. Full thick front sights. 2-line addresses and model & caliber markings on the left side. Left side of frames have 2-line 3 patent dates and rampant colt without circle. Both are mounted with exceptionally fine flush silver medallion pearl grips. Backstraps are inscribed “Alfonse Malin”. Frames, cylinders and bbls are lightly engraved in foliate arabesque patterns with about 25% coverage. Top of backstraps, buttstraps and trigger guards are also lightly engraved. Serial No. 346604 is factory restored with a small “&” on the right rear web of the trigger guard. Serial numbers were observed in the usual locations on the bottom fronts of the frames and on the right sides of the front and back straps. Assembly numbers were observed on the left sides of the backstraps under the grips on each revolver with matching assembly numbers around the cylinder pins on the faces of the cylinders and inside the radius of the ejector rod housings. No. 346604 has the assembly no. 882 and no. 347042 has the assembly no. 722. The presence of these assembly numbers lends credence to the thought that both revolvers, not just the one, are indeed factory refinished. Accompanied by Colt factory letters for each revolver identifying them in .45 Cal. with nickel finish with no. 346604 listed with rubber grips and no. 347042 type of stock is not listed. Both were sold to Alfonse W. Malin, address unavailable, and shipped to Von Lengerke & Antoine, Chicago, IL with no. 346604 shipped on Nov. 26, 1924 in a one-gun shipment on factory order no. 21174/1; no. 347042 was shipped on Jan. 5, 1925 in a one-gun shipment on factory order no. 21258/1. No indication of either revolver having been returned to the factory. This leads to the speculation that these revolvers were returned to the factory for engraving, inscriptions and pearl grips. The grips fit perfectly and the finish on both revolvers is factory quality with no discernible flaws or wavers in the finish. Patent dates and rampant colts of the sides of the frames still have raised metal around them, further supporting the fact that this was factory work. The “VP” in a triangle proof marks on the left front webs of the trigger guards are re-stamps, also with raised metal surrounding on both revolvers. Both revolvers have a “4” inspector number above these “VP” proof marks, further indication that they were restored and proofed at the same time. CONDITION: Both are extremely fine plus. Both are all matching and retain most of their original factory nickel finish. Both have slight dulling of the finish on the left side of the bbls and on the ejector rod housings, probably from having been stored in holsters. Both have slight dulling in a few spots on the cylinders. Mechanics on no. 346604 need attention, timing is slightly off; otherwise, mechanics on both are fine. No. 346604 has been fired, probably one cylinder full with the other revolver remaining unfired since restoration. Grips are crisp and sound with great fire and color. Brilliant shiny bores. 4-38835 JR167 (30,000-40,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2009

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2178	$26,450.00	EXTRAORDINARY PAIR OF FACTORY ENGRAVED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVERS. SN 346604 & 347042. Cal. 45 Colt. Built identically with nickel finish, 4 3/4″ barrels. Full thick front sights. 2-line addresses and model & caliber markings on the left side. Left side of frames have 2-line 3 patent dates and rampant colt without circle. Both are mounted with exceptionally fine flush silver medallion pearl grips. Backstraps are inscribed “Alfonse Malin”. Frames, cylinders and bbls are lightly engraved in foliate arabesque patterns with about 25% coverage. Top of backstraps, buttstraps and trigger guards are also lightly engraved. Serial No. 346604 is factory restored with a small “&” on the right rear web of the trigger guard. Serial numbers were observed in the usual locations on the bottom fronts of the frames and on the right sides of the front and back straps. Assembly numbers were observed on the left sides of the backstraps under the grips on each revolver with matching assembly numbers around the cylinder pins on the faces of the cylinders and inside the radius of the ejector rod housings. No. 346604 has the assembly no. 882 and no. 347042 has the assembly no. 722. The presence of these assembly numbers lends credence to the thought that both revolvers, not just the one, are indeed factory refinished. Accompanied by Colt factory letters for each revolver identifying them in .45 Cal. with nickel finish with no. 346604 listed with rubber grips and no. 347042 type of stock is not listed. Both were sold to Alfonse W. Malin, address unavailable, and shipped to Von Lengerke & Antoine, Chicago, IL with no. 346604 shipped on Nov. 26, 1924 in a one-gun shipment on factory order no. 21174/1; no. 347042 was shipped on Jan. 5, 1925 in a one-gun shipment on factory order no. 21258/1. No indication of either revolver having been returned to the factory. This leads to the speculation that these revolvers were returned to the factory for engraving, inscriptions and pearl grips. The grips fit perfectly and the finish on both revolvers is factory quality with no discernible flaws or wavers in the finish. Patent dates and rampant colts of the sides of the frames still have raised metal around them, further supporting the fact that this was factory work. The “VP” in a triangle proof marks on the left front webs of the trigger guards are re-stamps, also with raised metal surrounding on both revolvers. Both revolvers have a “4” inspector number above these “VP” proof marks, further indication that they were restored and proofed at the same time. CONDITION: Both are extremely fine plus. Both are all matching and retain most of their original factory nickel finish. Both have slight dulling of the finish on the left side of the bbls and on the ejector rod housings, probably from having been stored in holsters. Both have slight dulling in a few spots on the cylinders. Mechanics on no. 346604 need attention, timing is slightly off; otherwise, mechanics on both are fine. No. 346604 has been fired, probably one cylinder full with the other revolver remaining unfired since restoration. Grips are crisp and sound with great fire and color. Brilliant shiny bores. 4-38835 JR167 (30,000-40,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2009 Please Note:* All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}