1583
Magnificent Gustave Young Factory Engraved, J.P. Lower Shipped Colt Model 1878 Sheriff Model Double
Currency:USD
Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory
Start Price:13,000.00 USD
Estimated At:25,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
SOLD
40,000.00USD+ (7,800.00) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2010 May 01 @ 15:03UTC-5 : EST/CDT
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A full invoice should be emailed to the winner by the auctioneer within a day or two.
According to the included factory letter, this revolver was one of two shipped to J.P. Lower on December 6, 1879, with the factory letter confirming the 4 inch barrel length, caliber, finish and engraving. Rubber grips are listed, with the checkered ivory most likely added by the Colt factory. Operating in Denver, Colorado, John Lower is credited as the first distributor to order the 1878 in the ejectorless 4" barrel configuration, an order placed a mere 2 months before this revolver was shipped, making it one of the first of it's kind. Dubbed the "Sport's Pet" by Lower, an 1878 of this style was seen as a symbol of high status and wealth among the gamblers and sporting types of Denver, presenting an ideal combination of compact firepower with fine aesthetic qualities. Fixed sights, with the two line Hartford address on top of the barrel, "45 CAL/ VP" on the left front side of the trigger guard and an "&" on the right side of the guard, indicating later factory work. Engraving is chiefly the Gustave Young style punch-dot backed scroll designs, covering the top and rear sides of the barrel, the cylinders around the flues, and virtually the entire sides of the frame, along with a burst pattern on the recoil shield, checkerboard surrounded by scrolls on the trigger guard, stars around the firing pin catch, punch dot backed clovers on the top strap, unbacked scrollwork on the sides of the breech and rear of the frame, a floral design on top of the backstrap knuckle and a panel suitable for inscriptions on the backstrap. The sides of the frame warrant specific note, as the scrollwork is executed in a spiral pattern around the hammer screw, crossing the side plate seamlessly in multiple places. Completing the set is a pair of fine checkered ivory grips, with the distinctive smooth wedge design at the bottoms. This specific revolver can be seen on page 39 of Don Wilkerson's book "Colt's Double Action Revolver Model of 1878" and on pages 260 and 261 of Wilson & Hable's "Colt Pistols".
BBL: 4 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 45 Long Colt
Finish: nickel
Grips: ivory
Serial Number: 2946
Excellent, with approximately 95% plus of the original nickel finish, showing a few small patches of flaked nickel at the muzzle and forward trigger guard, along with some light handling marks overall. A gray patina is forming on the hammer and trigger, with strong, attractive niter blue still visible on the protected areas of the hammer and rear of the trigger. Grips are very fine, with age stress marks extending from the butt and a fine antique color, strongest on the left panel. Mechanically excellent. A trophy piece for any collector of antique Colts, this may in fact be the finest example of a factory Engraved Colt Sheriff Model 1878 we will ever find.
Auction Location:
4507 49th Avenue, Moline, Illinois, 62165-7578, United States
Previewing Details:
Preview: Open to the public Thursday, April 29th from 10 AM to 6 PM Friday, April 30th from 8 AM to 10 AM Saturday, May 1st from 8 AM to 10 AM Sunday, May 2nd from 8 AM to 10 AM
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
19.5% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Please contact the auction house for the preferred shipper’s contact information
Payment Details:
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