UNIQUE ONE OF A KIND CASED GOLD DAMASCENE HARTFORD/LONDON COLT.

UNIQUE ONE OF A KIND CASED GOLD DAMASCENE HARTFORD/LONDON COLT. SN 529. Cased with orig case and accoutrements. This exact gun is pictured in many major Colt books back to the ’70s (including R.L. Wilson’s “Colt Engraving Book” pg 220)and the finest one known and the only one known that shows this pattern. Cal. 44. Usual configuration with 7-1/2″ oct to rnd bbl, German silver front sight and 1-line New York City address. Left side of frame is marked “COLT’S PATENT”. Left side of bbl lug & cyl are stamped with British proofs which were applied prior to the revolver being damascened. The entire revolver including rammer & handle, cyl, frame & hammer have full coverage fine Spanish damascening consisting of flowing foliate patterns except the bbl which is decorated in a spiral pattern of alternating bands with various borders separating the different patterns. Cyl is also decorated in a different pattern which consists of connected circles with foliate arabesque patterns. The trigger guard, frontstrap, backstrap, buttstrap & screws are simply gold plated without decoration. Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip. Accompanied by an orig English oak casing with swinging latches on each end of the front and a mortised brass lock with empty medallion in the lid. Interior is blue velvet lined and compartmented in bottom for the revolver, a gold plated 2-cavity “COLT’S PATENT” bullet mold with sprue cutter, a Dixon bag flask, an L-shaped nipple wrench, a lacquered tin for Blanch & Son caps with repoussed brass top label and another small lacquered oval tin filled with caps. Covered right rear compartment is empty and the cleaning rod is missing. It is possible that this may have been the work of Spanish damascene artist, Eusebio Zuloaga, who was one of the finest artists of his day working in this historic art form. Both Zuloaga and Colt participated in the 1851 London World’s Fair where they displayed their work and it is possible Colt may have commissioned him to produce this unique piece. Whether Zuloaga did this or not, the extraordinary workmanship on this unique Colt clearly indicates this was the work of a fine artist and not the ordinary work performed by an Indian artist. It is obvious that Colt was inspired by the European gold decorated firearms as in 1853 the first gold inlaid Sultan of Turkey dragoon was presented. It is apparent, not coincidence, the year of manufacture of the dragoon offered her is 1853. This fabulous Colt is as close to a gold inlaid Dragoon as one will ever have the opportunity to acquire.. CONDITION: Extremely fine, all matching (grip was not checked). Overall retains virtually all of its orig rich damascening with only some very minor losses, primarily on right side of the frame from where it has resided in the case; grip has numerous nicks, dings & scratches and retains most of an old restored finish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore with a few very minor spots of pitting; cylinder retains three strong, serviceable safety pins; although the bore has a few small scattered spots of pitting it probably is unfired as the muzzle of the bbl retains about all of its orig gold plating which would have immediately been removed had it been fired; chambers of cyl also appear to be crisp & clean and probably unfired. Case has slightly shrunken lid with a hairline crack, otherwise is sound with usual handling & storage light nicks & scratches; interior is lightly to moderately faded with light soil with damage from front sight & hammer spur; mold retains about all of its orig gold plating; flask, nipple wrench & cap tins are fine. A truly rare opportunity to own one of the finest Colts of its type. 4-45084 JR (65,000-85,000)

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
	2245	$57,500.00	UNIQUE ONE OF A KIND CASED GOLD DAMASCENE HARTFORD/LONDON COLT. SN 529. Cased with orig case and accoutrements. This exact gun is pictured in many major Colt books back to the ’70s (including R.L. Wilson’s “Colt Engraving Book” pg 220)and the finest one known and the only one known that shows this pattern. Cal. 44. Usual configuration with 7-1/2″ oct to rnd bbl, German silver front sight and 1-line New York City address. Left side of frame is marked “COLT’S PATENT”. Left side of bbl lug & cyl are stamped with British proofs which were applied prior to the revolver being damascened. The entire revolver including rammer & handle, cyl, frame & hammer have full coverage fine Spanish damascening consisting of flowing foliate patterns except the bbl which is decorated in a spiral pattern of alternating bands with various borders separating the different patterns. Cyl is also decorated in a different pattern which consists of connected circles with foliate arabesque patterns. The trigger guard, frontstrap, backstrap, buttstrap & screws are simply gold plated without decoration. Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip. Accompanied by an orig English oak casing with swinging latches on each end of the front and a mortised brass lock with empty medallion in the lid. Interior is blue velvet lined and compartmented in bottom for the revolver, a gold plated 2-cavity “COLT’S PATENT” bullet mold with sprue cutter, a Dixon bag flask, an L-shaped nipple wrench, a lacquered tin for Blanch & Son caps with repoussed brass top label and another small lacquered oval tin filled with caps. Covered right rear compartment is empty and the cleaning rod is missing. It is possible that this may have been the work of Spanish damascene artist, Eusebio Zuloaga, who was one of the finest artists of his day working in this historic art form. Both Zuloaga and Colt participated in the 1851 London World’s Fair where they displayed their work and it is possible Colt may have commissioned him to produce this unique piece. Whether Zuloaga did this or not, the extraordinary workmanship on this unique Colt clearly indicates this was the work of a fine artist and not the ordinary work performed by an Indian artist. It is obvious that Colt was inspired by the European gold decorated firearms as in 1853 the first gold inlaid Sultan of Turkey dragoon was presented. It is apparent, not coincidence, the year of manufacture of the dragoon offered her is 1853. This fabulous Colt is as close to a gold inlaid Dragoon as one will ever have the opportunity to acquire.. CONDITION: Extremely fine, all matching (grip was not checked). Overall retains virtually all of its orig rich damascening with only some very minor losses, primarily on right side of the frame from where it has resided in the case; grip has numerous nicks, dings & scratches and retains most of an old restored finish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore with a few very minor spots of pitting; cylinder retains three strong, serviceable safety pins; although the bore has a few small scattered spots of pitting it probably is unfired as the muzzle of the bbl retains about all of its orig gold plating which would have immediately been removed had it been fired; chambers of cyl also appear to be crisp & clean and probably unfired. Case has slightly shrunken lid with a hairline crack, otherwise is sound with usual handling & storage light nicks & scratches; interior is lightly to moderately faded with light soil with damage from front sight & hammer spur; mold retains about all of its orig gold plating; flask, nipple wrench & cap tins are fine. A truly rare opportunity to own one of the finest Colts of its type. 4-45084 JR (65,000-85,000) 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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