ENGRAVED GOLD AND SILVER IVORY GRIPPED COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY REVOLVER WON AS SHOOTING PRIZE BY CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARDSMAN ALONG WITH SHOOTING MEDALS.

SN 197438. Cal 44. This fabulous “as found” cased Colt Army percussion revolver was only the second prize in the Centennial Shooting Competition of the California National Guard at San Bruno, California, Oct. 24, 1876. First prize was a gold watch and chain. You would think that such a special Colt with fabulous carved ivory grips, with Mexican eagle and snake, factory engraved with gold and silver wash would have been a more valuable prize, but this is 1876 and cartridge Colt single actions are now king. This fancy 3-4 year old percussion revolver was now obsolete. This gun was provided by the well known arms and sporting store of A.J. Plate of San Francisco. This must have been one of his trophy display guns as it would have been among the most expensive manufactured by Colt in its day. Gold and silver plated Colts are among the rarest to survive in fine condition, and this is a wonderful survivor, retaining most of its gold plate on loading lever. Unloading lever, hammer and rebated portion of cyl, silver plating is retained on all other metal surfaces of the gun. The gun is cased in a beautiful Colt mahogany case compartmented with its .44 caliber silver plated 2-cavity mold and would originally have had a silver plated flask which is now missing, but in it’s stead are displayed 5 medals, 2 of which are silver 1864 (Ellis Guard) & 1866 (Tittel Zouaves) dated shooting medals with (California state seals.) Another medal has brass, silver and gold bars for 10,15 & 20 years faithful service. What a wonderful identified grouping with provenance; the original owner and recipient of this gun as a prize was California Militiaman John William Sturke. His son William Sturke loaned this gun and medals to the California State Park Commission and they were on display at Sutter’s Fort State Historical Park from 1942 to 1957 when they were returned to the family. Factory engraving is excellent and well done with arabesque and punch dot design typical of early 1870’s and the first single action Armies. This gun was originally manufactured in 1872. There are few gold plated Colt percussion revolvers that retain such excellent condition and there are few that have ever been offered with such aesthetics and provenance. PROVENANCE: John William Sturke 1876. William Sturke, Sutters Fort State Historical Park 1942-1957. Special Note: This item contains or is made of ivory. Do not bid on this lot unless you have read and agreed to our "Ivory Position Statement" and the "Waiver of Legal and Financial Risk to James D. Julia in regards to your Purchase of an Ivory Object." This information is located in the front section of our catalog. CONDITION: Gun is excellent overall, all matching, orig and authentic in every regard retaining over 90% orig silver plate and 95% gold wash on loading arm, rebated section of cyl and hammer with only minor freckling. Gun has possibly only been fired one time as 5 of 6 nipples retain most of their orig gold color and only one cone has been darkened. The bore and cyl chambers are quite crisp, though with scattered areas of staining and light pitting. “ESA certifiable antique elephant ivory grips” exhibit fine age patina, sharp edges and little wear. Screws all retain most of their orig fire blue finish. Mold retains about half its orig silver plate marked “Colt’s Patent” and “44H”. Accompanying tin of percussion caps is excellent. The 1866 dated medal has top bar broken, but still present as sewn to top stud with ribbon. Top bar is lose but complete on long service medal. There is a gold and enamel patriotic pin of unknown origin to this cataloger. There is an additional 1876 dated 3-piece brass shooting medal that is uninscribed. The mahogany casing is very good overall with attached newspaper article telling of William Sturke’s first place medal won with a score of 40 out of a possible 50 at shots of 200 yards and 500 yards for small bore rifle. Also attached to lining is the display card from Sutters Fort Historical Park when on display. Casing is very good overall with light fading from years of display. The polished bone key hold finial has a chipped edge as can be seen in photos. Case is missing top portion of lock which is no longer embedded in lid. 49962-1 JS IVORY (30,000-50,000) – Lot 2158

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Auction: Firearms - March 2016

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
	2158	$0.00	ENGRAVED GOLD AND SILVER IVORY GRIPPED COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY REVOLVER WON AS SHOOTING PRIZE BY CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARDSMAN ALONG WITH SHOOTING MEDALS. SN 197438. Cal 44. This fabulous “as found” cased Colt Army percussion revolver was only the second prize in the Centennial Shooting Competition of the California National Guard at San Bruno, California, Oct. 24, 1876. First prize was a gold watch and chain. You would think that such a special Colt with fabulous carved ivory grips, with Mexican eagle and snake, factory engraved with gold and silver wash would have been a more valuable prize, but this is 1876 and cartridge Colt single actions are now king. This fancy 3-4 year old percussion revolver was now obsolete. This gun was provided by the well known arms and sporting store of A.J. Plate of San Francisco. This must have been one of his trophy display guns as it would have been among the most expensive manufactured by Colt in its day. Gold and silver plated Colts are among the rarest to survive in fine condition, and this is a wonderful survivor, retaining most of its gold plate on loading lever. Unloading lever, hammer and rebated portion of cyl, silver plating is retained on all other metal surfaces of the gun. The gun is cased in a beautiful Colt mahogany case compartmented with its .44 caliber silver plated 2-cavity mold and would originally have had a silver plated flask which is now missing, but in it’s stead are displayed 5 medals, 2 of which are silver 1864 (Ellis Guard) & 1866 (Tittel Zouaves) dated shooting medals with (California state seals.) Another medal has brass, silver and gold bars for 10,15 & 20 years faithful service. What a wonderful identified grouping with provenance; the original owner and recipient of this gun as a prize was California Militiaman John William Sturke. His son William Sturke loaned this gun and medals to the California State Park Commission and they were on display at Sutter’s Fort State Historical Park from 1942 to 1957 when they were returned to the family. Factory engraving is excellent and well done with arabesque and punch dot design typical of early 1870’s and the first single action Armies. This gun was originally manufactured in 1872. There are few gold plated Colt percussion revolvers that retain such excellent condition and there are few that have ever been offered with such aesthetics and provenance. PROVENANCE: John William Sturke 1876. William Sturke, Sutters Fort State Historical Park 1942-1957. Special Note: This item contains or is made of ivory. Do not bid on this lot unless you have read and agreed to our "Ivory Position Statement" and the "Waiver of Legal and Financial Risk to James D. Julia in regards to your Purchase of an Ivory Object." This information is located in the front section of our catalog. CONDITION: Gun is excellent overall, all matching, orig and authentic in every regard retaining over 90% orig silver plate and 95% gold wash on loading arm, rebated section of cyl and hammer with only minor freckling. Gun has possibly only been fired one time as 5 of 6 nipples retain most of their orig gold color and only one cone has been darkened. The bore and cyl chambers are quite crisp, though with scattered areas of staining and light pitting. “ESA certifiable antique elephant ivory grips” exhibit fine age patina, sharp edges and little wear. Screws all retain most of their orig fire blue finish. Mold retains about half its orig silver plate marked “Colt’s Patent” and “44H”. Accompanying tin of percussion caps is excellent. The 1866 dated medal has top bar broken, but still present as sewn to top stud with ribbon. Top bar is lose but complete on long service medal. There is a gold and enamel patriotic pin of unknown origin to this cataloger. There is an additional 1876 dated 3-piece brass shooting medal that is uninscribed. The mahogany casing is very good overall with attached newspaper article telling of William Sturke’s first place medal won with a score of 40 out of a possible 50 at shots of 200 yards and 500 yards for small bore rifle. Also attached to lining is the display card from Sutters Fort Historical Park when on display. Casing is very good overall with light fading from years of display. The polished bone key hold finial has a chipped edge as can be seen in photos. Case is missing top portion of lock which is no longer embedded in lid. 49962-1 JS IVORY (30,000-50,000) – Lot 2158 \| Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - March 2016 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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ENGRAVED GOLD AND SILVER IVORY GRIPPED COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY REVOLVER WON AS SHOOTING PRIZE BY CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARDSMAN ALONG WITH SHOOTING MEDALS.