VERY RARE NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY REVOLVER.

VERY RARE NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY REVOLVER. Cal. 44. SN 180235. Spectacularly engraved Army with 8″ rnd bbl and wonderful 1-pc ivory grip. Bbl & frame are silver-plated while the rammer, cylinder, hammer & trigger are gold-plated. Frame & bbl are wonderfully engraved by L.D. Nimschke with full coverage on the sides & recoil shields of the frame and about 50% coverage on the bbl. Each side of the bbl has a long arrow piercing a figure “8” with light flourishes & rings at the muzzle. Top of the back strap has his typical Nimschke fan pattern with dbl line borders down the back strap & arabesque flourishes at the top & bottom with matching engraving on the butt strap. Bottom of the trigger guard and front end of the trigger have arabesque flourishes and the flat around the bbl serial number has a fan pattern. Bottom of the bbl, under the loading lever, is stamped “L.D.N.” Curiously, the cylinder is numbered “236”, one number higher than the serial number of this revolver, leading one to speculate that this may have been part of a consecutive numbered pair and somehow the cylinders were switched. Face of the cylinder has a tiny “L” inspector initial and a “B” on the back edge. Cylinder has all six safety pins. Recoil shield has a “B” and an “A”. This revolver appears to have been set up for a Thuer conversion as the loading slot on the bbl is longer & deeper, the hammer has a hardened insert in the face and the rammer handle has a threaded tip.

Accompanied by a copy of a letter dated Nov. 26, 1977 from Jackson Arms of Dallas, TX to Dr. R.L. Moore, Jr. of Philadelphia, Mississippi wherein he states that this revolver had been in the collection of noted firearms collector, Harry Garman, until about 1953, when Mr. Garman apparently, upon learning of his pending demise, gave this Colt to his oldest son, Harry, Jr., who subsequently asked Mr. Jackson to sell it for him. Mr. Jackson goes on to state that Mr. Garman related that this revolver was “found in a convent in Mexico wrapped in a blue Army officer’s uniform” along with an engraved 1861 Navy. Mr. Jackson stated that he bought the Navy and at the date of this letter still had it in his collection. Also accompanying is a copy of Mr. Garman’s obituary.

CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. Overall retains virtually all of its fine orig silver & gold-plating with light edge wear on the cylinder & rammer handle. Cylinder retains virtually all of its Ormsby naval battle scene. Grips have an age line on the butt of each side and retain a wonderful mellow patina, mostly on the left side, more white on the right side. Handspring is broken, otherwise mechanics are fine. Strong bore with moderate pitting. 4-56957 JR434 (16,000-25,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2005

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
	3270	$18,400.00	VERY RARE NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY REVOLVER. Cal. 44. SN 180235. Spectacularly engraved Army with 8″ rnd bbl and wonderful 1-pc ivory grip. Bbl & frame are silver-plated while the rammer, cylinder, hammer & trigger are gold-plated. Frame & bbl are wonderfully engraved by L.D. Nimschke with full coverage on the sides & recoil shields of the frame and about 50% coverage on the bbl. Each side of the bbl has a long arrow piercing a figure “8” with light flourishes & rings at the muzzle. Top of the back strap has his typical Nimschke fan pattern with dbl line borders down the back strap & arabesque flourishes at the top & bottom with matching engraving on the butt strap. Bottom of the trigger guard and front end of the trigger have arabesque flourishes and the flat around the bbl serial number has a fan pattern. Bottom of the bbl, under the loading lever, is stamped “L.D.N.” Curiously, the cylinder is numbered “236”, one number higher than the serial number of this revolver, leading one to speculate that this may have been part of a consecutive numbered pair and somehow the cylinders were switched. Face of the cylinder has a tiny “L” inspector initial and a “B” on the back edge. Cylinder has all six safety pins. Recoil shield has a “B” and an “A”. This revolver appears to have been set up for a Thuer conversion as the loading slot on the bbl is longer & deeper, the hammer has a hardened insert in the face and the rammer handle has a threaded tip. Accompanied by a copy of a letter dated Nov. 26, 1977 from Jackson Arms of Dallas, TX to Dr. R.L. Moore, Jr. of Philadelphia, Mississippi wherein he states that this revolver had been in the collection of noted firearms collector, Harry Garman, until about 1953, when Mr. Garman apparently, upon learning of his pending demise, gave this Colt to his oldest son, Harry, Jr., who subsequently asked Mr. Jackson to sell it for him. Mr. Jackson goes on to state that Mr. Garman related that this revolver was “found in a convent in Mexico wrapped in a blue Army officer’s uniform” along with an engraved 1861 Navy. Mr. Jackson stated that he bought the Navy and at the date of this letter still had it in his collection. Also accompanying is a copy of Mr. Garman’s obituary. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. Overall retains virtually all of its fine orig silver & gold-plating with light edge wear on the cylinder & rammer handle. Cylinder retains virtually all of its Ormsby naval battle scene. Grips have an age line on the butt of each side and retain a wonderful mellow patina, mostly on the left side, more white on the right side. Handspring is broken, otherwise mechanics are fine. Strong bore with moderate pitting. 4-56957 JR434 (16,000-25,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2005 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.

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