FINE EARLY ENGRAVED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

FINE EARLY ENGRAVED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 32900. Cal. 45 Colt. Nickel finish with 7-1/2″ bbl, slightly reduced front sight with 1-line block letter address. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates and is mounted with wonderful 1-pc ivory grip. Ejector housing is 3rd type with bullseye ejector rod head. Bbl has had a plug installed for the ejector rod screw. SN was observed in the usual places on the frame, trigger guard and backstrap with last 4 digits of SN on bottom of bbl under ejector rod housing and on cyl. Engraving is in the style of Cuno Helfricht and probably from his shop. Engraving appears to have been applied after the revolver had been used and possibly was returned to factory for engraving and restoration. Engraving is about D+ coverage consisting of full coverage on frame of fine intertwined foliate arabesque patterns with punch dot background. Loading gate is engraved in a floral pattern with tiny flower blossoms in gullets on bottom front of frame. Top strap is engraved in feather patterns. Engraving extends over sides of bbl with chip and dot border patterns around address terminating in foliate arabesque patterns at forward end. There are additional foliate arabesque at top near the front sight and on each side of the muzzle. Top of backstrap is engraved in a beautiful fan pattern with foliate arabesque patterns near the top and heel of backstrap, on the butt strap and trigger bow. Bottom front of frame is engraved in fan pattern that matches top of backstrap. Cyl is engraved with foliate arabesque patterns on lands between the flutes, at the back of each flute with geometric patterns in flutes and a snake & dot pattern around rear edge. Ejector rod housing is engraved with a snake & dot pattern in top gullet and vine and leaf patterns on outer radius. Mr. Howard, in his collection notes, references a factory letter which showed shipment to Kittridge & Company in 1878. Letter was not provided. He also references X-rays of the revolver which he states were ordered to dispel a rumor that this revolver had been re-numbered. The X-rays disclosed “no evidence of filling of metal or serial number change”. PROVENANCE: Robert Howard Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching except grip which is unnumbered. Overall retains about all of its fine restored nickel finish, showing little or no wear externally with minor fine pitting in top strap and around forcing cone. Grip has numerous age lines with good edges and retains a dark golden patina, probably not orig to this revolver. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with fine pitting. 4-45274 JR26 (4,000-6,000)

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
	1545	$8,625.00	FINE EARLY ENGRAVED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 32900. Cal. 45 Colt. Nickel finish with 7-1/2″ bbl, slightly reduced front sight with 1-line block letter address. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates and is mounted with wonderful 1-pc ivory grip. Ejector housing is 3rd type with bullseye ejector rod head. Bbl has had a plug installed for the ejector rod screw. SN was observed in the usual places on the frame, trigger guard and backstrap with last 4 digits of SN on bottom of bbl under ejector rod housing and on cyl. Engraving is in the style of Cuno Helfricht and probably from his shop. Engraving appears to have been applied after the revolver had been used and possibly was returned to factory for engraving and restoration. Engraving is about D+ coverage consisting of full coverage on frame of fine intertwined foliate arabesque patterns with punch dot background. Loading gate is engraved in a floral pattern with tiny flower blossoms in gullets on bottom front of frame. Top strap is engraved in feather patterns. Engraving extends over sides of bbl with chip and dot border patterns around address terminating in foliate arabesque patterns at forward end. There are additional foliate arabesque at top near the front sight and on each side of the muzzle. Top of backstrap is engraved in a beautiful fan pattern with foliate arabesque patterns near the top and heel of backstrap, on the butt strap and trigger bow. Bottom front of frame is engraved in fan pattern that matches top of backstrap. Cyl is engraved with foliate arabesque patterns on lands between the flutes, at the back of each flute with geometric patterns in flutes and a snake & dot pattern around rear edge. Ejector rod housing is engraved with a snake & dot pattern in top gullet and vine and leaf patterns on outer radius. Mr. Howard, in his collection notes, references a factory letter which showed shipment to Kittridge & Company in 1878. Letter was not provided. He also references X-rays of the revolver which he states were ordered to dispel a rumor that this revolver had been re-numbered. The X-rays disclosed “no evidence of filling of metal or serial number change”. PROVENANCE: Robert Howard Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching except grip which is unnumbered. Overall retains about all of its fine restored nickel finish, showing little or no wear externally with minor fine pitting in top strap and around forcing cone. Grip has numerous age lines with good edges and retains a dark golden patina, probably not orig to this revolver. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with fine pitting. 4-45274 JR26 (4,000-6,000) 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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