Image Lot Price Description

1111
$4,025.00

*UNUSUAL PAIR OF SPECIAL ORDER 3RD GENERATION COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVERS BY BEN SHOSTLE. SN FBF-007 & 007-FBF. Cal. 44-40 & 45 Colt. Both revolvers are virtually identical in configuration and engraving with one having all blue finish and the other blue & color case hardened. Both have 7-1/2″ bbls, fixed front sights, 1-line addresses and model & caliber markings on left sides. Left sides of frames are marked differently and they are mounted with different styles of grips. Engraving consists of 35-40% coverage, well executed foliate arabesque patterns with stippled background and Cuno Helfricht style sunbursts on left recoil shields. Top straps have fine border patterns. Engraving extends about 3″ up the bbls with a sgl gold band at the frame ends and wide & narrow gold bands at the muzzle ends. They have a deep relief panel on the left sides near the muzzles with raised inlaid gold plaque inscribed “THE FIRST BANKERS” with what is apparently the bank’s logo. An identical raised gold logo is at the top of each back strap and the back straps are engraved in script “First Bankers Corporation of Florida”. The butt straps are inlaid with three gold, 5-pointed stars. Cyls are identically engraved with a continuous flowing foliate arabesque pattern that runs from land to land with small star bursts by each stop notch. Rear edge of cyls have wide & narrow gold bands. The work is signed by the late Master Engraver Ben Shostle at the base of the left recoil shields. They each are accompanied by their orig custom shop, burgundy velvet lined, oak casings and cardboard shipping boxes. The lids of the wood cases are impressed in black letters with the bank’s logo and “THE FIRST BANKERS” in the centers, the “COLT” logo in right front corners and the caliber marking in left front corners. Interior is recessed for the revolver and a brass belt buckle with similar information and a gold plated cartridge along with the orig keys. 1) SN FBF-007 is all blue with conventional transverse pin and varnished oak grips with gold Colt medallions, numbered to this revolver. Left side of frame has 2-line 3-patent dates and Rampant Colt. Last three digits of SN are hand engraved on rear face of cylinder with the number “0035” around the cylinder bushing hole. 2) SN 007-FBF is blue & color case hardened with black powder style frame having 3-line patent dates. Assembly number “W3380” is found on the left side of the grip frame under the grip, which number is also found around the cyl bushing hole. Mounted with 2-pc oil finished walnut grips with gold Colt medallions which are numbered to this revolver. CONDITION: Both revolvers appear to be new & unfired and unturned retaining virtually all of their orig factory finish. Cases are equally new. 4-40832 JR254 (4,000-6,000)


Auction: Firearms - Fall 2010
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.