SPECTACULAR PAIR OF NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED GOLD & NICKEL SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVERS.

SPECTACULAR PAIR OF NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED GOLD & NICKEL SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVERS. Cal .45 Colt. Unmistakably Nimschke engraving is found on this matched pair of revolvers. Its identifiable wavy line and dot borders, beautifully executed arabesque scrolls, punch-dot background, diamond patterns with dot centers, starbursts on either side of the cylinder pin and ejector rod housing swells and the elaborate and beautiful fan at the top of the backstrap are all Nimschke trademark patterns. These revolvers have 7-1/2” bbls and are fitted with wonderful and rare diamond checkered walnut grips. These grips are thicker than usual with a scooped plain flat where the grip meets the frame. They are very similar to a pair of grips found on another early single action currently in the Colt Collection at The Baldwin Museum of Connecticut History in Hartford and may have influenced these special grips.

This pair of Colts are identically engraved and have nickel plated bbls, frames, trigger guards and backstraps with gold plated cylinders, hammers and ejector rod housings. They have nitre blued cylinder pins, screws and triggers. All of which combines to make an extremely pleasing combination to the eye. With rare and unusual special checkered walnut grips, they are doubly pleasing. These revolvers were previously displayed in the Texas Ranger Museum at Waco, Texas from 1968 until 1976 when they were acquired by R.E. Hable. They have been featured in a number of books on Colt engraving by R.L. Wilson. These publications include, “The Book of Colt Engraving”, Vol. I. page 340 and “The Colt Engraving Book” page 226. Comparing the engraving on this fine pair of pistols with patterns pictured in the Nimschke Pattern Book reveals numerous identical features particularly on pages XXXIX and XXXV. Some of these details are unmistakably identical and leave no doubt that this pair of revolvers was done by the master himself. This may be the only known matching pair of Nimschke engraved single actions. Regardless if they are the only pair, engraved black powder revolvers as single items are extremely rare and pairs by any engraver are very, very limited. Accompanying these revolvers is a fine custom oak double casing, French fitted with plum colored suede-like material. There is a covered compartment in two opposite corners with light padding inside the lid. Also accompanies is a Colt Factory letter identifying these revolvers as being shipped June 28, 1876 in a 37 gun shipment to Spies, Kissam & Co. New York, N.Y. as blue finished guns. It is well documented that Spies & Kissam were valued frequent customers of Nimschke. Also accompanying is a note on Spies & Kissam Co. letterhead dated 1876 to the Sharps Rifle Co. In addition there is a letter form the curator of the Texas Ranger hall of Fame and Museum stating that these revolvers were displayed there. Also accompanying are three pages from the December 1954 Texas Gun Collector magazine with notations that a collector named Charles Ferguson of Decatur, IL had owned these revolvers. Also accompanying is a copy of a letter from R.L. Wilson to Edward L. Benson dated September 9, (year not indicated) stating that if he owned these revolvers he would not sell them. Also there is another letter from Mr. Wilson to Mr. Benson advising him that he would like to run photos of them in future publications and is soliciting a fee for color printing. And lastly is an undated, 6 page letter of authentication on these revolvers from Mr. Wilson. SN 25499 & 26094.

CONDITION: Extremely fine, apparently unfired. Retaining virtually all their fine original nickel finish and most of their gold plating. The gold plating, with years of handling, has become thin and dull, particularly on the cylinders and outside of the ejector rod housing on #26094. The grips are all extremely fine with one side having a small mark on the top right flat. The screws, cylinder pins and triggers retain virtually all their bright nitre blue. The bores are brilliant and shiny as one would expect from unfired guns. The case has a few grain checks in the lid, otherwise is sound and retains virtually all its fine custom finish. The interior is bright and clean. This is surely a once in a lifetime opportunity to own the very finest in single action revolvers. 4-49447 JR515 (250,000-350,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2003

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
	893	$276,000.00	SPECTACULAR PAIR OF NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED GOLD & NICKEL SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVERS. Cal .45 Colt. Unmistakably Nimschke engraving is found on this matched pair of revolvers. Its identifiable wavy line and dot borders, beautifully executed arabesque scrolls, punch-dot background, diamond patterns with dot centers, starbursts on either side of the cylinder pin and ejector rod housing swells and the elaborate and beautiful fan at the top of the backstrap are all Nimschke trademark patterns. These revolvers have 7-1/2” bbls and are fitted with wonderful and rare diamond checkered walnut grips. These grips are thicker than usual with a scooped plain flat where the grip meets the frame. They are very similar to a pair of grips found on another early single action currently in the Colt Collection at The Baldwin Museum of Connecticut History in Hartford and may have influenced these special grips. This pair of Colts are identically engraved and have nickel plated bbls, frames, trigger guards and backstraps with gold plated cylinders, hammers and ejector rod housings. They have nitre blued cylinder pins, screws and triggers. All of which combines to make an extremely pleasing combination to the eye. With rare and unusual special checkered walnut grips, they are doubly pleasing. These revolvers were previously displayed in the Texas Ranger Museum at Waco, Texas from 1968 until 1976 when they were acquired by R.E. Hable. They have been featured in a number of books on Colt engraving by R.L. Wilson. These publications include, “The Book of Colt Engraving”, Vol. I. page 340 and “The Colt Engraving Book” page 226. Comparing the engraving on this fine pair of pistols with patterns pictured in the Nimschke Pattern Book reveals numerous identical features particularly on pages XXXIX and XXXV. Some of these details are unmistakably identical and leave no doubt that this pair of revolvers was done by the master himself. This may be the only known matching pair of Nimschke engraved single actions. Regardless if they are the only pair, engraved black powder revolvers as single items are extremely rare and pairs by any engraver are very, very limited. Accompanying these revolvers is a fine custom oak double casing, French fitted with plum colored suede-like material. There is a covered compartment in two opposite corners with light padding inside the lid. Also accompanies is a Colt Factory letter identifying these revolvers as being shipped June 28, 1876 in a 37 gun shipment to Spies, Kissam & Co. New York, N.Y. as blue finished guns. It is well documented that Spies & Kissam were valued frequent customers of Nimschke. Also accompanying is a note on Spies & Kissam Co. letterhead dated 1876 to the Sharps Rifle Co. In addition there is a letter form the curator of the Texas Ranger hall of Fame and Museum stating that these revolvers were displayed there. Also accompanying are three pages from the December 1954 Texas Gun Collector magazine with notations that a collector named Charles Ferguson of Decatur, IL had owned these revolvers. Also accompanying is a copy of a letter from R.L. Wilson to Edward L. Benson dated September 9, (year not indicated) stating that if he owned these revolvers he would not sell them. Also there is another letter from Mr. Wilson to Mr. Benson advising him that he would like to run photos of them in future publications and is soliciting a fee for color printing. And lastly is an undated, 6 page letter of authentication on these revolvers from Mr. Wilson. SN 25499 & 26094. CONDITION: Extremely fine, apparently unfired. Retaining virtually all their fine original nickel finish and most of their gold plating. The gold plating, with years of handling, has become thin and dull, particularly on the cylinders and outside of the ejector rod housing on #26094. The grips are all extremely fine with one side having a small mark on the top right flat. The screws, cylinder pins and triggers retain virtually all their bright nitre blue. The bores are brilliant and shiny as one would expect from unfired guns. The case has a few grain checks in the lid, otherwise is sound and retains virtually all its fine custom finish. The interior is bright and clean. This is surely a once in a lifetime opportunity to own the very finest in single action revolvers. 4-49447 JR515 (250,000-350,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2003 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;}