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Antique Factory Eng'd Colt SAA Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:11,000.00 USD Estimated At:12,000.00 - 18,000.00 USD
Antique Factory Eng'd Colt SAA Revolver
Auction Location:

16600 Aston Street
Irvine, CA 92606
Antique Factory Engraved Colt Single Action Army Revolver, #32923, .45 Colt cal., 7-1/2'' barrel, nickel finish, checkered ivory grips. Shipped to Simmons Hardware Co., St. Louis, MO, Nov. 7, 1880, two guns in shipment, with all features verified by factory letter. The serial number on frame, triggerguard and backstrap are additionally marked ''E'' for Engraved. Revolver has been given a light scroll treatment with shell motif beneath hammer, light work on backstrap, butt, and triggerguard. Barrel address is framed with light scrollwork, with circular punchdot at base of front sight followed by squiggly lines terminating in a heart-shape pincer just before barrel address. This style of engraving is quite similar to Serial no. 30259, also shipped to Simmons Hardware in Jan. 1880, as shown on page 247 of the book ''Colt Engraving'', by R.L. Wilson, which shows multiple photographs and states that this revolver is also a nickel plated, factory engraved Colt Single Action. It is our opinion that in this period when these revolvers were embellished, Colt may have been using New York engravers to fill engraving orders before final shipment. Condition is about fine as later refinished, and still retaining 85%-90% nickel. Engraving shows some thinning to detail, cylinder flats, and sides of frame. Grips with mild flattening. Action is good, bore is fair. A beautiful early engraved Single Action. Est.: $12,000-$18,000. (Antique)