SCARCE EARLY NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

SCARCE EARLY NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 92049. Cal. 44 WCF (44-40). Nickel finish with 5-1/2″ bbl, full front sight, 1-line block letter address and etched panel on left side “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER”. Left side of frame has 3-line patent dates and left front web of trigger guard is marked “44 CF”. Mounted with 2-pc pearl grips which have raised carved intertwined initials which appear to be “TCE” or a combination of those three initials. Revolver is engraved by renowned master engraver L.D. Nimschke in about D coverage of foliate arabesque patterns with punch dot background on the frame which extends over both sides of bbl and each side of muzzle. Top strap is engraved in feather patterns. The base pin boss and ejector boss are engraved with hunter’s stars. Ejector rod housing is engraved with a geometric pattern at front and back ends. Top of backstrap is engraved in a beautiful shell pattern with foliate arabesque patterns at top and near heel with hunter’s star on the trigger bow. Cyl is engraved with matching foliate arabesque patterns on the lands between the flutes with foliate sprays at the rear edge behind each flute and also has a double border. This is a fine early Nimschke engraved single action. Accompanied by a copy of a Colt Factory Letter which identifies this revolver in cal 44-40 with 5-1/2″ bbl, finish “soft”, type of stock not listed, shipped to Hartley & Graham, NY, NY on May 9, 1883 in a 5-gun shipment. Under remarks they report “the word “soft” which appears with the finish indicates subject revolver was shipped without final finishing for engraving outside our factory”. PROVENANCE: Bill Spicer (2005); Robert Howard Estate Collection. CONDITION: About fine, all matching except cyl and grips which are unnumbered. Overall retains 80-85% strong orig nickel, showing cleaned metal on left side of bbl with the etched panel mostly legible. Left side of frame and recoil shield are also cleaned metal with some thinning on front strap. Cyl shows cleaned metal in two of the flutes and overall retains about 70% orig nickel on the outer diameter. Left grip has a repaired chip in its toe, otherwise grips are sound with great fire and color. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 4-45280 JR24 (15,000-25,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2012

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
	1537	$24,150.00	SCARCE EARLY NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 92049. Cal. 44 WCF (44-40). Nickel finish with 5-1/2″ bbl, full front sight, 1-line block letter address and etched panel on left side “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER”. Left side of frame has 3-line patent dates and left front web of trigger guard is marked “44 CF”. Mounted with 2-pc pearl grips which have raised carved intertwined initials which appear to be “TCE” or a combination of those three initials. Revolver is engraved by renowned master engraver L.D. Nimschke in about D coverage of foliate arabesque patterns with punch dot background on the frame which extends over both sides of bbl and each side of muzzle. Top strap is engraved in feather patterns. The base pin boss and ejector boss are engraved with hunter’s stars. Ejector rod housing is engraved with a geometric pattern at front and back ends. Top of backstrap is engraved in a beautiful shell pattern with foliate arabesque patterns at top and near heel with hunter’s star on the trigger bow. Cyl is engraved with matching foliate arabesque patterns on the lands between the flutes with foliate sprays at the rear edge behind each flute and also has a double border. This is a fine early Nimschke engraved single action. Accompanied by a copy of a Colt Factory Letter which identifies this revolver in cal 44-40 with 5-1/2″ bbl, finish “soft”, type of stock not listed, shipped to Hartley & Graham, NY, NY on May 9, 1883 in a 5-gun shipment. Under remarks they report “the word “soft” which appears with the finish indicates subject revolver was shipped without final finishing for engraving outside our factory”. PROVENANCE: Bill Spicer (2005); Robert Howard Estate Collection. CONDITION: About fine, all matching except cyl and grips which are unnumbered. Overall retains 80-85% strong orig nickel, showing cleaned metal on left side of bbl with the etched panel mostly legible. Left side of frame and recoil shield are also cleaned metal with some thinning on front strap. Cyl shows cleaned metal in two of the flutes and overall retains about 70% orig nickel on the outer diameter. Left grip has a repaired chip in its toe, otherwise grips are sound with great fire and color. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 4-45280 JR24 (15,000-25,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2012 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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