*EXTRAORDINARILY RARE FACTORY ENGRAVED COLT DETECTIVE SPECIAL DA REVOLVER THAT BELONGED TO HALL OF FAME TRAP SHOOTER RUDY ETCHEN.

*EXTRAORDINARILY RARE FACTORY ENGRAVED COLT DETECTIVE SPECIAL DA REVOLVER THAT BELONGED TO HALL OF FAME TRAP SHOOTER RUDY ETCHEN. SN 457447. Cal. 38 Spcl. Beautiful and extremely rare, believed to be one of only two pre-WWII factory engraved Detective Specials. It has blue finish w/2″ rnd bbl, integral half moon front sight and notch in the top strap rear sight. Is mounted w/2-pc silver medallion factory pearl grips. The frame, bbl and cyl are very nicely engraved by Wilbur Glahn in about “B” coverage, consisting of foliate arabesque patterns w/fine punch dot background. Back strap is engraved in another hand “RUDY ETCHEN” which appears to be the work of Wolf & Klar of Ft. Worth, TX. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter fully identifying this revolver, as found, in .38 cal. w/2″ bbl, blue finish, pearl stocks, factory engraved grade “B” and shipped to Abercrombie & Fitch Co., New York, NY on July 17, 1939 in a one-gun shipment, on factory order 8519. This revolver is pictured in The Book of Colt Engraving, Wilson on page 415. Also accompanying is a large packet of numerous magazine articles about Mr. Etchen’s shooting prowess in the trap shooting field that stretched from the 1930’s well into the 21st century. It also details his induction into the Trap Shooting Hall of Fame. Overall, he won 31 Grand American trophies. Mr. Etchen was a Naval aviator throughout WWII from 1941 until his discharge in 1946. Also accompanying are three hand-written letters from Mr. Etchen, two post-marked 1987 and one 1988 wherein he acknowledges ownership of this revolver. One of the letters to Mr. Tom Burns he states that this revolver was given to him by Ad & Plinky Topperwein, the world-famous Winchester shooting team, when he won his fourth North American Trap Shooting championship. In a note to Mr. Michael McHugh, he states that the Topperweins had the back strap engraving added in San Antonio. Also in the McHugh note, he states that when it was given to him it was in a Birdseye maple custom-made case lined w/blue velvet. In all three letters he reiterates that he regrets selling it in 1941 as he was leaving for the war zone, not expecting to return. Also accompanying are two of Mr. Etchen’s business cards and a bi-fold pamphlet from Winchester/Western advertising the Topperweins. The McHugh letter also contains a color photograph of Mr. Etchen w/an over/under shotgun on his arm and his bird dog in his baby blue 1957 Thunderbird. Additionally accompanied by a Colt dark burgundy hinged-lid box w/o labels. PROVENANCE: Ad & Plinky Topperwein; Rudy Etchen; David Buehn Collection; Tom Burns Collection; Micheal McHugh Collection. CONDITION: Extraordinarily fine. Overall retains 99% strong orig factory blue w/only faint muzzle and sharp edge wear. It may or may not have been fired since leaving the factory. Grips are also exceptionally fine w/great fire and color. Mechanics are crisp. Brilliant shiny bore. Box is tattered w/broken edges and tape but appears to be complete. 4-38010 JR263 (12,500-17,500)

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
	1262	$0.00	EXTRAORDINARILY RARE FACTORY ENGRAVED COLT DETECTIVE SPECIAL DA REVOLVER THAT BELONGED TO HALL OF FAME TRAP SHOOTER RUDY ETCHEN. SN 457447. Cal. 38 Spcl. Beautiful and extremely rare, believed to be one of only two pre-WWII factory engraved Detective Specials. It has blue finish w/2″ rnd bbl, integral half moon front sight and notch in the top strap rear sight. Is mounted w/2-pc silver medallion factory pearl grips. The frame, bbl and cyl are very nicely engraved by Wilbur Glahn in about “B” coverage, consisting of foliate arabesque patterns w/fine punch dot background. Back strap is engraved in another hand “RUDY ETCHEN” which appears to be the work of Wolf & Klar of Ft. Worth, TX. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter fully identifying this revolver, as found, in .38 cal. w/2″ bbl, blue finish, pearl stocks, factory engraved grade “B” and shipped to Abercrombie & Fitch Co., New York, NY on July 17, 1939 in a one-gun shipment, on factory order 8519. This revolver is pictured in The Book of Colt Engraving, Wilson on page 415. Also accompanying is a large packet of numerous magazine articles about Mr. Etchen’s shooting prowess in the trap shooting field that stretched from the 1930’s well into the 21st century. It also details his induction into the Trap Shooting Hall of Fame. Overall, he won 31 Grand American trophies. Mr. Etchen was a Naval aviator throughout WWII from 1941 until his discharge in 1946. Also accompanying are three hand-written letters from Mr. Etchen, two post-marked 1987 and one 1988 wherein he acknowledges ownership of this revolver. One of the letters to Mr. Tom Burns he states that this revolver was given to him by Ad & Plinky Topperwein, the world-famous Winchester shooting team, when he won his fourth North American Trap Shooting championship. In a note to Mr. Michael McHugh, he states that the Topperweins had the back strap engraving added in San Antonio. Also in the McHugh note, he states that when it was given to him it was in a Birdseye maple custom-made case lined w/blue velvet. In all three letters he reiterates that he regrets selling it in 1941 as he was leaving for the war zone, not expecting to return. Also accompanying are two of Mr. Etchen’s business cards and a bi-fold pamphlet from Winchester/Western advertising the Topperweins. The McHugh letter also contains a color photograph of Mr. Etchen w/an over/under shotgun on his arm and his bird dog in his baby blue 1957 Thunderbird. Additionally accompanied by a Colt dark burgundy hinged-lid box w/o labels. PROVENANCE: Ad & Plinky Topperwein; Rudy Etchen; David Buehn Collection; Tom Burns Collection; Micheal McHugh Collection. CONDITION: Extraordinarily fine. Overall retains 99% strong orig factory blue w/only faint muzzle and sharp edge wear. It may or may not have been fired since leaving the factory. Grips are also exceptionally fine w/great fire and color. Mechanics are crisp. Brilliant shiny bore. Box is tattered w/broken edges and tape but appears to be complete. 4-38010 JR263 (12,500-17,500) 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.

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