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Colt 'Monster Legacy' Gun Engraved and Inlaid by Bryson Gwinnell

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:45,000.00 - 65,000.00 USD
Colt 'Monster Legacy' Gun Engraved and Inlaid by Bryson Gwinnell

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Auction Date:2018 Oct 10 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Spectacular Colt 'Monster Legacy' revolver, engraved and inlaid by master engraver Bryson Gwinnell, serial #1675PC, .44-40, 7 1/2? barrel with an excellent, bright bore. This is a simply stunning, and uniquely themed, masterpiece of the engraver's art. Conceived jointly by the original collector and Mr. Gwinnell, their quest for something different, stunning, and unique was an unqualified success. The revolver features fourteen separate gold, silver, and copper sculpted inlays along with deeply chiseled, relief engraved vignettes, all in an iconic gothic horror theme.

The revolver was originally a Peacemaker Centennial, which was chosen for the unfluted cylinder that allowed for more surface area for embellishment. The right side of the cylinder shows a relief engraved gold inlay depicting Frankenstein's Monster sitting atop a casket, which is inlaid in silver with two bats flying above, one in silver and one in copper. The left side of the cylinder has a stunning sculpted werewolf in gold with full moon above in copper and surrounding clouds in silver. The left recoil shield has a relief engraved gold inlay of Dracula holding a victim in his arms, she is sculpted in silver with copper hair, and castle in the background. Below these inlays is a bat in flight. The right recoil shield has a sculpted silver skull and gold spider web above the loading gate.

The exterior of the loading gate has a ferocious Werewolf face with gold eyes and copper tongue, with claws out, ready to attack. The inside of the loading gate has an eyeball with gold iris and engraved lashes. The recoil shield cutout is decorated with a spider web and gold inlaid spider. The top of the backstrap has a perfect gold inlaid portrait of Frankenstein with lightning bolt on either side; the center section has a relief engraved spider; and the bottom of the backstrap has a forearm and hand reaching out of a grave. The right side of the frame has a copper hearse surrounded by relief scroll with a vulture; the left side of the frame is engraved with a grotesque mask within the scrollwork. The forward section of the frame ahead of the cylinder has a demonic face engraved on the left side with a gold-filled background. The opposite side has Quasimodo within a gold-filled background. The top straps are inlaid with silver garlic bulbs on one side and copper rose blossoms on the other. The barrel has relief scroll with the "COLT FRONTIER SIXSHOOTER" etched label filled with gold, while the left side has a pair of glasses and a cigar with silver inlaid ashes and smoke which represents the Invisible Man. The front sight is skeletonized with a truly superb depiction of a roosting vulture.

All of the frame screws, as well as the tip of the cylinder pin, have added metal and are adorned or decorated in some way. The hammer is a highly sculpted gargoyle with deep chiseling and gold accents, and the the ejector rod head, trigger guard, and muzzle all have detailed gold and silver inlay in geometric patterns. The grips are the work of James Alaimo, once head of the Colt Custom Shop, and were made from pre-ban African ivory at his shop in Connecticut. The grips are Bulino engraved with the left side depicting the Colt dome with a haunted looking sky and crescent moon in the background, and "THE / MONSTER / LEGACY" engraved beneath the dome. The butt of the grips depict an open vampire mouth with blood on the tips of the fangs, and the right side of the grip is engraved with a depiction of Sam Colt himself emerging from his coffin with a crescent moon and eerie sky in the background.

The buttstrap is signed "B. GWINNELL" and the gun is accompanied by a letter from Mr. Gwinnell describing the work done in some detail. Gwinnell states in his letter: "The engraving of 'The Monster Legacy' revolver was an involved and arduous process spanning some eight months to complete, working full time many hours each day." Also includes four oversized photographic exhibition panels depicting the brilliant details of the gun. The condition of the gun is as-new, the hammer has been purposely locked in position by the engraver to prevent the cylinder from being turned. The revolver comes with the Gwinnell letter, detailing the embellishment of the revolver, along with a large mounted photo montage detailing the incredible artistry of the revolver. This is a tremendous opportunity for a collector or investor who desires to own a unique and world-class objet d'art. It is a true masterpiece.

This transfers as a modern firearm.