*EXTRAORDINARY FACTORY-ENGRAVED PRESENTATION EXHIBITION QUALITY COLT SHOOTING MASTER DA REVOLVER.

*EXTRAORDINARY FACTORY-ENGRAVED PRESENTATION EXHIBITION QUALITY COLT SHOOTING MASTER DA REVOLVER. SN 328185. Cal. 38 Spcl. Extraordinary presentation revolver w/blue finish, 6″ tapered rnd bbl, adjustable front & rear sights and mounted w/silver medallion, factory ivory grips w/relief-carved bull’s head on the right side. Front strap, back strap and trigger are beautifully checkered. This revolver has exceptional, nearly full coverage, far beyond normal “D” coverage engraving, consisting of foliate, floral and vine patterns w/extremely fine punch dot background, probably from the hand of Colt Master Engraver Wilbur Glahn. Left side plate is inscribed as part of the engraving patterns “EJL” over a small panel inscribed “FROM FITZ” mounted w/Colt medallion carved ivory grips. This exact revolver is pictured on page 587 of The Colt Engraving Book, Volume Two, Wilson. Accompanied by an orig hinged-lid dark burgundy box marked on the top, in stylized lettering, “COLT” over “Shooting Master”. Interior has the same markings w/the addition of “Caliber .38 Special”. It also has the serial number of another revolver, #338567 inside the lid and in the bottom. Also accompanied by a binder of information regarding this revolver including a Colt factory letter fully identifying this revolver in cal. 38 spcl., 6″ bbl, blue finish, type of stock is not listed, factory engraved and shipped to J.H. Fitzgerald at the Colt Patent Firearms Mfg. Co., Hartford, CT on April 27, 1931 in a shipment of two same type firearms. Bottom of the letter has a “note” which states that the inscription on the left side is as found. It also states that special work was performed on order #19226/2. And further that “Mr. Fitzgerald was a well known Colt employee and ballistic expert during this period. The initials “EJL” are the initials of E. J. Langrish who was a Captain with the Hartford Police Department in the 1930’s. Capt. Langrish is the police officer depicted, in uniform, demonstrating correct shooting position and grip in the Colt “Shooting Guide” that was placed in all factory handgun boxes during that time period. Capt. Langrish is also credited w/the invention of a “limbless” silhouette target. Mr. Fitzgerald was a Colt employee of considerable renown as a ballistics expert and target shooter. He worked extensively w/law enforcement agencies in developing new firearms more suitable to their needs and regularly attended Camp Perry National matches where he performed fine, custom work for the handgun participants. He is also credited w/the adaptation of revolvers and semi-autos to “Fitz Specials” wherein he bobbed the hammers on revolvers and cut away the fronts of the trigger guards for ease of access, in addition to honing the actions for smooth operation. “Fitz Specials” are a desirable and sought-after collector’s item today. Mr. R. L. Wilson, noted Colt authority, historian and author has estimated that there were less than 10 factory-engraved Shooting Master revolvers ever made and that probably about a handful are all that survive today. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, has been fired but very little. Overall retains about 99% strong bright orig factory blue w/only the most faint muzzle and sharp edge wear. Grips, while probably not orig to this revolver, are sound showing no wear and retain a wonderful mellow ivory patina. Mechanics are crisp and smooth. Brilliant shiny bore. Box is extremely fine w/only 2 or 3 small chips in the finish and a couple of small tears and wear in the bottom. 4-38008 JR264 (50,000-70,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 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
	1261	$46,000.00	EXTRAORDINARY FACTORY-ENGRAVED PRESENTATION EXHIBITION QUALITY COLT SHOOTING MASTER DA REVOLVER. SN 328185. Cal. 38 Spcl. Extraordinary presentation revolver w/blue finish, 6″ tapered rnd bbl, adjustable front & rear sights and mounted w/silver medallion, factory ivory grips w/relief-carved bull’s head on the right side. Front strap, back strap and trigger are beautifully checkered. This revolver has exceptional, nearly full coverage, far beyond normal “D” coverage engraving, consisting of foliate, floral and vine patterns w/extremely fine punch dot background, probably from the hand of Colt Master Engraver Wilbur Glahn. Left side plate is inscribed as part of the engraving patterns “EJL” over a small panel inscribed “FROM FITZ” mounted w/Colt medallion carved ivory grips. This exact revolver is pictured on page 587 of The Colt Engraving Book, Volume Two, Wilson. Accompanied by an orig hinged-lid dark burgundy box marked on the top, in stylized lettering, “COLT” over “Shooting Master”. Interior has the same markings w/the addition of “Caliber .38 Special”. It also has the serial number of another revolver, #338567 inside the lid and in the bottom. Also accompanied by a binder of information regarding this revolver including a Colt factory letter fully identifying this revolver in cal. 38 spcl., 6″ bbl, blue finish, type of stock is not listed, factory engraved and shipped to J.H. Fitzgerald at the Colt Patent Firearms Mfg. Co., Hartford, CT on April 27, 1931 in a shipment of two same type firearms. Bottom of the letter has a “note” which states that the inscription on the left side is as found. It also states that special work was performed on order #19226/2. And further that “Mr. Fitzgerald was a well known Colt employee and ballistic expert during this period. The initials “EJL” are the initials of E. J. Langrish who was a Captain with the Hartford Police Department in the 1930’s. Capt. Langrish is the police officer depicted, in uniform, demonstrating correct shooting position and grip in the Colt “Shooting Guide” that was placed in all factory handgun boxes during that time period. Capt. Langrish is also credited w/the invention of a “limbless” silhouette target. Mr. Fitzgerald was a Colt employee of considerable renown as a ballistics expert and target shooter. He worked extensively w/law enforcement agencies in developing new firearms more suitable to their needs and regularly attended Camp Perry National matches where he performed fine, custom work for the handgun participants. He is also credited w/the adaptation of revolvers and semi-autos to “Fitz Specials” wherein he bobbed the hammers on revolvers and cut away the fronts of the trigger guards for ease of access, in addition to honing the actions for smooth operation. “Fitz Specials” are a desirable and sought-after collector’s item today. Mr. R. L. Wilson, noted Colt authority, historian and author has estimated that there were less than 10 factory-engraved Shooting Master revolvers ever made and that probably about a handful are all that survive today. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, has been fired but very little. Overall retains about 99% strong bright orig factory blue w/only the most faint muzzle and sharp edge wear. Grips, while probably not orig to this revolver, are sound showing no wear and retain a wonderful mellow ivory patina. Mechanics are crisp and smooth. Brilliant shiny bore. Box is extremely fine w/only 2 or 3 small chips in the finish and a couple of small tears and wear in the bottom. 4-38008 JR264 (50,000-70,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 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;}