EXTREMELY RARE NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1877 THUNDERER DA REVOLVER.

EXTREMELY RARE NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1877 THUNDERER DA REVOLVER. SN 39537. Cal. 41 Colt. Nickel finish with 6″ bbl, full front sight with 2-line address. Left side of the frame has 3-line patent dates and the left rear web of the trigger guard is marked with the caliber. It is fitted with extraordinarily beautiful, smooth, 2-pc pearl grips. The frame, bbl & back strap are engraved with outstanding intertwined foliate arabesque patterns by L. D. Nimschke. The frame has just about full coverage with feather patterns over the top strap and matching pattern on the outside radius of the ejector rod housing. Both sides of the bbl, almost all the way to the muzzle, are equally engraved, all with fine punch-dot background. Top of the back strap, behind the hammer, has Nimschke’s fine peacock fan decorations and the back strap is engraved in zigzag Moorish patterns. Cylinder has matching foliate arabesque patterns on the lands between the flutes and Moorish patterns in the flutes. Rear edge of the cylinder has a fine zigzag border. Accompanied by a russet brown double-loop holster that is unmarked but is definitely of the period. It has a sewn back edge and toe. The edges of the holster have fine stamped patterns in 2 lines with a leaf pattern at the terminus by the trigger guard slot. The rivet at the top rear edge of the holster is missing. Also accompanied by a packet of information which includes a Colt factory letter listing this revolver as having been shipped “SOFT”, type of stocks is not listed, to Hartley & Graham, New York, New York, October 26, 1882, in a 2-gun shipment. Under remarks section the letter states that the word “SOFT” indicates that it was shipped for engraving outside the factory. Also included is a 2-page letter from Arnold Marcus Chernoff, dated December 10, 1977, addressed to Richard C. Marohn, M.D., stating that this is one of the finest engraved “LIGHTNING” revolvers known to exist. Additionally accompanying is an article from Issue Number 6, 1997, Man at Arms magazine by the late Richard C. Marohn, M.D., entitled “THE COLT MODEL 1877 DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER / A TWENTY-YEAR REVIEW 1877-1897”. This article deals primarily with production, quantities & dates. Additionally, there is a copy of an article from Issue Number 1, 2003, Man at Arms magazine by Herbert G. Houze which details the life and work of L. D. Nimschke. Additionally accompanying is another article by Dr. Marohn from the January / February 1983 issue of Man at Arms which deals with Colt Lightning grips. This exact revolver is pictured, in full color, on p. 250 of Colt Pistols, Wilson & Hable. PROVENANCE: Robert Hable Collection; Arnold Marcus Chernoff; Dr. Joseph A. Murphy Collection. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus. Overall retains 97-98% strong nickel finish with only slight losses around the muzzle, the balance remains bright & crisp. Fire blue on the back of the hammer and back of the trigger is bright with the top edge of the hammer and face of the trigger a soft gray patina. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. Holster is very fine, showing light wear on the face with more wear and sweat staining on the back side. 4-36428 JR70 (40,000-70,000)

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
	2034	$40,250.00	EXTREMELY RARE NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1877 THUNDERER DA REVOLVER. SN 39537. Cal. 41 Colt. Nickel finish with 6″ bbl, full front sight with 2-line address. Left side of the frame has 3-line patent dates and the left rear web of the trigger guard is marked with the caliber. It is fitted with extraordinarily beautiful, smooth, 2-pc pearl grips. The frame, bbl & back strap are engraved with outstanding intertwined foliate arabesque patterns by L. D. Nimschke. The frame has just about full coverage with feather patterns over the top strap and matching pattern on the outside radius of the ejector rod housing. Both sides of the bbl, almost all the way to the muzzle, are equally engraved, all with fine punch-dot background. Top of the back strap, behind the hammer, has Nimschke’s fine peacock fan decorations and the back strap is engraved in zigzag Moorish patterns. Cylinder has matching foliate arabesque patterns on the lands between the flutes and Moorish patterns in the flutes. Rear edge of the cylinder has a fine zigzag border. Accompanied by a russet brown double-loop holster that is unmarked but is definitely of the period. It has a sewn back edge and toe. The edges of the holster have fine stamped patterns in 2 lines with a leaf pattern at the terminus by the trigger guard slot. The rivet at the top rear edge of the holster is missing. Also accompanied by a packet of information which includes a Colt factory letter listing this revolver as having been shipped “SOFT”, type of stocks is not listed, to Hartley & Graham, New York, New York, October 26, 1882, in a 2-gun shipment. Under remarks section the letter states that the word “SOFT” indicates that it was shipped for engraving outside the factory. Also included is a 2-page letter from Arnold Marcus Chernoff, dated December 10, 1977, addressed to Richard C. Marohn, M.D., stating that this is one of the finest engraved “LIGHTNING” revolvers known to exist. Additionally accompanying is an article from Issue Number 6, 1997, Man at Arms magazine by the late Richard C. Marohn, M.D., entitled “THE COLT MODEL 1877 DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER / A TWENTY-YEAR REVIEW 1877-1897”. This article deals primarily with production, quantities & dates. Additionally, there is a copy of an article from Issue Number 1, 2003, Man at Arms magazine by Herbert G. Houze which details the life and work of L. D. Nimschke. Additionally accompanying is another article by Dr. Marohn from the January / February 1983 issue of Man at Arms which deals with Colt Lightning grips. This exact revolver is pictured, in full color, on p. 250 of Colt Pistols, Wilson & Hable. PROVENANCE: Robert Hable Collection; Arnold Marcus Chernoff; Dr. Joseph A. Murphy Collection. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus. Overall retains 97-98% strong nickel finish with only slight losses around the muzzle, the balance remains bright & crisp. Fire blue on the back of the hammer and back of the trigger is bright with the top edge of the hammer and face of the trigger a soft gray patina. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. Holster is very fine, showing light wear on the face with more wear and sweat staining on the back side. 4-36428 JR70 (40,000-70,000) 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.

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