RARE & EXCEPTIONALLY FINE COLT WALKER PERCUSSION REVOLVER.

RARE & EXCEPTIONALLY FINE COLT WALKER PERCUSSION REVOLVER. Cal. 44. SN B COMPANY No 8. This rare revolver, the Holy Grail of percussion Colt collecting, is probably the third finest Walker extant, behind only the Pulhamus & B Company No 18 Walkers in condition, certainly in top 5 & finest to come to market in many years. Our revolver has a 9″ oct to rnd bbl with German silver front sight, address that reads toward muzzle with “US/1847” on right side of bbl lug & serial number on left side of bbl lug above wedge slot. Frame & buttstrap have serial number in same sized stamping, while cylinder has very tiny numbers & trigger guard numbers somewhere in between. The cylinder & trigger guard numbers read “B COMY No 8”. Left side of front strap, under 1-pc walnut grip, has assembly number “8” which number also appears inside toe of front strap channel of grip. Grip has a partially legible cartouche on each side. Right side cartouche is about half legible & reads “WAT”. Left side cartouche is only partially visible. There is a small “B” on backstrap & another near front edge of cylinder. Cylinder has usual markings of “Model U.S.M.R.” & “COLT’S PATENT”, above & below serial number. It has oval cylinder stop notches and rolled ranger & Indian fight scene. Accompanied by a packet of information contained in a Texas Gun Collector Association portfolio including a letter dated Oct. 11, 1964 from Henry M. Stewart, Jr. wherein he authenticates this Walker revolver which, at that time, belonged to Mr. Fries of Grovetown, PA. He states that he found it “completely original and authentic with reservation on loading lever only”. There is no explanation. Mr. Stewart further states that Mr. Fries had stated that his grandfather, George W. Fries, had owned this revolver & was in the Civil War & Texas Rangers. Mr. Stewart states that the records do not support these claims but he believed that Grandfather Fries may have obtained it during his service with the Pennsylvania Railway Baggage Dept. He further states that Mr. M.R. Brown of Kansas City had purchased this revolver & that he, Mr. Stewart, certified to him its “genuineness” & that “I am qualified to pass on this authenticity”. There is a hand written letter dated Oct. 2, 1964, signed Earl W. Fries, apparently a bill of sale to Mr. Milton R. Brown for this revolver by serial number. Mr. Fries states this revolver was his grandfather’s & came to him through the death of his own father. He states with no verification that Grandfather Fries was a member of the Texas Rangers & was through the Mexican War & also that he was the Baggage Master on Pennsylvania Railroad in charge of U.S. Mail between Philadelphia & Pittsburgh. There is also a certificate from Texas Gun Collectors Association “Parade of Walkers” to Mr. Ira Weinstein for displaying this revolver in Spring of 2003. There is also a 2-page letter dated Jul. 28, 1954 from the Curator of The Colt Museum giving history of the Colt Walker. CONDITION: Bbl & rammer retain a fine smooth plum patina with original blue finish around wedge on right side of lug & traces of blue in sheltered areas around rammer spring on bottom of bbl. Rnd section of bbl has been lightly cleaned & has some fine pitting. Rammer pivot retains traces of case colors in the most sheltered areas. Cylinder is a cleaned gray/brown patina & retains 50-60% Ormsby Indian fight scene. Frame retains 50-60% silvered case hardening with scattered spots of fine pitting. Hammer is a dark patina with light pitting around nose. Trigger guard & front strap are a medium mellow brass patina and backstrap & buttstrap are gray metal color with some light hammer marks on bottom. Grip is sound with light nicks & scratches, shows moderate wear with a dark hand rubbed patina. Mechanics are fine, strong bright bore with moderate pitting. It would be virtually impossible to improve on this Walker in today’s market and is substantially better than any such revolvers to come to market in recent years. This revolver is of the quality & originality rarely ever encountered & is a once in a life time opportunity to own such a piece. 4-57627 JR426 (250,000-350,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2006

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
	163	$431,250.00	RARE & EXCEPTIONALLY FINE COLT WALKER PERCUSSION REVOLVER. Cal. 44. SN B COMPANY No 8. This rare revolver, the Holy Grail of percussion Colt collecting, is probably the third finest Walker extant, behind only the Pulhamus & B Company No 18 Walkers in condition, certainly in top 5 & finest to come to market in many years. Our revolver has a 9″ oct to rnd bbl with German silver front sight, address that reads toward muzzle with “US/1847” on right side of bbl lug & serial number on left side of bbl lug above wedge slot. Frame & buttstrap have serial number in same sized stamping, while cylinder has very tiny numbers & trigger guard numbers somewhere in between. The cylinder & trigger guard numbers read “B COMY No 8”. Left side of front strap, under 1-pc walnut grip, has assembly number “8” which number also appears inside toe of front strap channel of grip. Grip has a partially legible cartouche on each side. Right side cartouche is about half legible & reads “WAT”. Left side cartouche is only partially visible. There is a small “B” on backstrap & another near front edge of cylinder. Cylinder has usual markings of “Model U.S.M.R.” & “COLT’S PATENT”, above & below serial number. It has oval cylinder stop notches and rolled ranger & Indian fight scene. Accompanied by a packet of information contained in a Texas Gun Collector Association portfolio including a letter dated Oct. 11, 1964 from Henry M. Stewart, Jr. wherein he authenticates this Walker revolver which, at that time, belonged to Mr. Fries of Grovetown, PA. He states that he found it “completely original and authentic with reservation on loading lever only”. There is no explanation. Mr. Stewart further states that Mr. Fries had stated that his grandfather, George W. Fries, had owned this revolver & was in the Civil War & Texas Rangers. Mr. Stewart states that the records do not support these claims but he believed that Grandfather Fries may have obtained it during his service with the Pennsylvania Railway Baggage Dept. He further states that Mr. M.R. Brown of Kansas City had purchased this revolver & that he, Mr. Stewart, certified to him its “genuineness” & that “I am qualified to pass on this authenticity”. There is a hand written letter dated Oct. 2, 1964, signed Earl W. Fries, apparently a bill of sale to Mr. Milton R. Brown for this revolver by serial number. Mr. Fries states this revolver was his grandfather’s & came to him through the death of his own father. He states with no verification that Grandfather Fries was a member of the Texas Rangers & was through the Mexican War & also that he was the Baggage Master on Pennsylvania Railroad in charge of U.S. Mail between Philadelphia & Pittsburgh. There is also a certificate from Texas Gun Collectors Association “Parade of Walkers” to Mr. Ira Weinstein for displaying this revolver in Spring of 2003. There is also a 2-page letter dated Jul. 28, 1954 from the Curator of The Colt Museum giving history of the Colt Walker. CONDITION: Bbl & rammer retain a fine smooth plum patina with original blue finish around wedge on right side of lug & traces of blue in sheltered areas around rammer spring on bottom of bbl. Rnd section of bbl has been lightly cleaned & has some fine pitting. Rammer pivot retains traces of case colors in the most sheltered areas. Cylinder is a cleaned gray/brown patina & retains 50-60% Ormsby Indian fight scene. Frame retains 50-60% silvered case hardening with scattered spots of fine pitting. Hammer is a dark patina with light pitting around nose. Trigger guard & front strap are a medium mellow brass patina and backstrap & buttstrap are gray metal color with some light hammer marks on bottom. Grip is sound with light nicks & scratches, shows moderate wear with a dark hand rubbed patina. Mechanics are fine, strong bright bore with moderate pitting. It would be virtually impossible to improve on this Walker in today’s market and is substantially better than any such revolvers to come to market in recent years. This revolver is of the quality & originality rarely ever encountered & is a once in a life time opportunity to own such a piece. 4-57627 JR426 (250,000-350,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2006 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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