NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

Revised: 3/9/2012

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: SN 22249. Cal 45 Colt. This fine Colt is accompanied by a Colt Factory letter which identifies it in caliber 45 with blue finish, barrel length and type of stocks not listed and shipped to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham, New York, NY on 31 December 1875 in a shipment of 67 same type arms.

NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 22249. Cal. 45 Colt. Nickel finish with 7-15/16″ bbl, 1-line script address with serifs. Bottom of bbl, under ejector housing, has the last four digits of matching SN which are also found on the cylinder. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates and it is mounted with an original 1-pc ivory grip with very deep relief carved Mexican eagle on right side. Grip could be orig Colt product with two slabs of ivory affixed to a central wooden spacer block to create the 1-pc grip, or they may have been added by the the Nimschke shop. They are definitely period to the gun. Ejector housing is first type with bull’s eye ejector rod head. Front strap, under the grip, was drilled for a 2-pc grip locator pin and now has that hole plugged. This revolver was produced in 1876 and the 2-pc hard rubber eagle design grips were not introduced until 1882. Revolver is engraved by L.D. Nimschke with about 80-85% coverage on the frame of foliate arabesque patterns with fine punch dot background. Top strap is engraved in feather patterns with a diamond & dot pattern on each side of bbl boss and a hunter’s star on the sides of the ejector housing boss & base pin boss. Matching foliate arabesque patterns extend 4-1/2″ on each side of bbl and on each side of muzzle with a dash & dot border pattern around the address which terminates in a foliate arabesque pattern. Ejector housing is exceptionally engraved with a large diamond & dot panel on the outer radius with dash & dot borders and a sunburst at each end. Top gullet is engraved in a leaf & vine pattern. Backstrap is engraved with Mr. Nimschke’s distinctive sunburst pattern with diamond center and foliate arabesque patterns elsewhere. Trigger bow & cyl are engraved to match with feather patterns on back edge of cylinder and foliate arabesque patterns on the lands between the flutes. Engraved early single actions are quite rare and are seldom encountered especially in an unaltered state. Only a few deluxe engraved revolvers in the Nimschke style are known and all are in the 22,000 serial number range, except the few that are thought to have been on the centennial wheel. Multiple experts think because of the extra-deluxe engraving and the extra deluxe grips this gun may have been on the centennial wheel. A letter from noted Colt authority, Dick Burdick, accompanies the gun. In part it states “This fine revolver remains today very much in the state it was finished in circa 1876. It retains the majority of the original nickel finish, which was applied after the engraving in the L.D. Nimschke shop in New York. The Colt markings are sharp and distinct, and do not show evidence of later polishing or abrasion post finishing circa 1876. There is some finish loss and fine pitting in the engraving cuts which have the hammer and graver progression cuts that demonstrate age and method of engraving. The engraving is classic L D. Nimschke, quite profuse, and orig in all respects. It is noteworthy to observe the broken italic barrel address die. This example is very near the end of the use of this die. The block letter die marked barrel has been observed as early as the 19000 serial number range. Along with this style of die change, an improved method of attaching the ejector tube to barrel was adapted. Our example has the first style ejector tube and barrel address. The hammer is the proper early long knurling with case hardened finish and the trigger is blue, which is proper for the outside factory New York engraved revolvers. The last four digits of the matching serial number are on the barrel underneath the ejector tube and on the periphery of the cylinder. The three full serial numbers match, and are authentic stamping by Colt. The front sight is full and has its original configuration. The grips are of the same age as the revolver and could have been installed by the Nimschke shop at time of engraving. The carving is finely executed and the ivory is in excellent condition for its age, showing little use. At some point in time, a grip pin has been installed on the trigger guard to accommodate 2-piece grips. This hole for the pin is now plugged. CONDITION: Fine. Overall retains 80-90% strong bright original nickel with flaking on the cyl and wear & loss of nickel on the top strap, backstrap, right side of frame & loading gate and ejector housing; front strap is dulled and the cyl is moderately to heavily flaked and retains most of its nickel plating on front face; hammer retains faded case colors, mostly on left side and rear edge with balance turned silver; grip is sound with a couple of minor age lines and overall retains a wonderful mellow dark ivory patina; hammer is not solid in safety notch, otherwise mechanics are fine, strong bore with fine pitting; inside top strap & recoil shield are moderately pitted; firing pin hole in the bushing is enlarged and the firing pin retaining pin has been staked; firing pin appears to be of later vintage. 4-46058 (50,000-90,000)

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
	2274	$57,500.00	Revised: 3/9/2012 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: SN 22249. Cal 45 Colt. This fine Colt is accompanied by a Colt Factory letter which identifies it in caliber 45 with blue finish, barrel length and type of stocks not listed and shipped to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham, New York, NY on 31 December 1875 in a shipment of 67 same type arms. NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 22249. Cal. 45 Colt. Nickel finish with 7-15/16″ bbl, 1-line script address with serifs. Bottom of bbl, under ejector housing, has the last four digits of matching SN which are also found on the cylinder. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates and it is mounted with an original 1-pc ivory grip with very deep relief carved Mexican eagle on right side. Grip could be orig Colt product with two slabs of ivory affixed to a central wooden spacer block to create the 1-pc grip, or they may have been added by the the Nimschke shop. They are definitely period to the gun. Ejector housing is first type with bull’s eye ejector rod head. Front strap, under the grip, was drilled for a 2-pc grip locator pin and now has that hole plugged. This revolver was produced in 1876 and the 2-pc hard rubber eagle design grips were not introduced until 1882. Revolver is engraved by L.D. Nimschke with about 80-85% coverage on the frame of foliate arabesque patterns with fine punch dot background. Top strap is engraved in feather patterns with a diamond & dot pattern on each side of bbl boss and a hunter’s star on the sides of the ejector housing boss & base pin boss. Matching foliate arabesque patterns extend 4-1/2″ on each side of bbl and on each side of muzzle with a dash & dot border pattern around the address which terminates in a foliate arabesque pattern. Ejector housing is exceptionally engraved with a large diamond & dot panel on the outer radius with dash & dot borders and a sunburst at each end. Top gullet is engraved in a leaf & vine pattern. Backstrap is engraved with Mr. Nimschke’s distinctive sunburst pattern with diamond center and foliate arabesque patterns elsewhere. Trigger bow & cyl are engraved to match with feather patterns on back edge of cylinder and foliate arabesque patterns on the lands between the flutes. Engraved early single actions are quite rare and are seldom encountered especially in an unaltered state. Only a few deluxe engraved revolvers in the Nimschke style are known and all are in the 22,000 serial number range, except the few that are thought to have been on the centennial wheel. Multiple experts think because of the extra-deluxe engraving and the extra deluxe grips this gun may have been on the centennial wheel. A letter from noted Colt authority, Dick Burdick, accompanies the gun. In part it states “This fine revolver remains today very much in the state it was finished in circa 1876. It retains the majority of the original nickel finish, which was applied after the engraving in the L.D. Nimschke shop in New York. The Colt markings are sharp and distinct, and do not show evidence of later polishing or abrasion post finishing circa 1876. There is some finish loss and fine pitting in the engraving cuts which have the hammer and graver progression cuts that demonstrate age and method of engraving. The engraving is classic L D. Nimschke, quite profuse, and orig in all respects. It is noteworthy to observe the broken italic barrel address die. This example is very near the end of the use of this die. The block letter die marked barrel has been observed as early as the 19000 serial number range. Along with this style of die change, an improved method of attaching the ejector tube to barrel was adapted. Our example has the first style ejector tube and barrel address. The hammer is the proper early long knurling with case hardened finish and the trigger is blue, which is proper for the outside factory New York engraved revolvers. The last four digits of the matching serial number are on the barrel underneath the ejector tube and on the periphery of the cylinder. The three full serial numbers match, and are authentic stamping by Colt. The front sight is full and has its original configuration. The grips are of the same age as the revolver and could have been installed by the Nimschke shop at time of engraving. The carving is finely executed and the ivory is in excellent condition for its age, showing little use. At some point in time, a grip pin has been installed on the trigger guard to accommodate 2-piece grips. This hole for the pin is now plugged. CONDITION: Fine. Overall retains 80-90% strong bright original nickel with flaking on the cyl and wear & loss of nickel on the top strap, backstrap, right side of frame & loading gate and ejector housing; front strap is dulled and the cyl is moderately to heavily flaked and retains most of its nickel plating on front face; hammer retains faded case colors, mostly on left side and rear edge with balance turned silver; grip is sound with a couple of minor age lines and overall retains a wonderful mellow dark ivory patina; hammer is not solid in safety notch, otherwise mechanics are fine, strong bore with fine pitting; inside top strap & recoil shield are moderately pitted; firing pin hole in the bushing is enlarged and the firing pin retaining pin has been staked; firing pin appears to be of later vintage. 4-46058 (50,000-90,000) 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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