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EXTREMELY RARE NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY PERCUSSION REVOLVER.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:7,000.00 USD Estimated At:14,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
EXTREMELY RARE NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 15260. Cal. 44. Nickel finish with 8" rnd bbl, German silver front sight and 1 line New-York US America address. Left side of frame has a small "COLTS PATENT". Frame is 4 screw type, cut for shoulder stock with flat head hammer screw and rnd head stock screws. The silver plated brass trigger guard and iron backstrap contain a modern 1-pc smooth ivory grip constructed in the old method of two slabs of ivory attached to two wood spacers in the middle. Revolver is beautifully, deluxe engraved by master engraver L.D. Nimschke with full coverage foliate arabesque patterns on the frame, with full coverage matching patterns on the major diameter of the cyl. Matching patterns extend over sides of bbl, on each side of muzzle, and on top between the front sight and bbl address. Hammer is engraved with matching patterns on shank, wolf's head on each side of the nose and fish scale patterns on top edge. Top of backstrap is engraved in a fan pattern with matching foliate patterns down backstrap, on the buttstrap and trigger guard. Left side of bbl is engraved "Frank I. O'Hanlon / Portadown". Left side of front strap and left side of buttstrap are stamped with assembly number "76", which number is also found on the front face of cyl and rear face of bbl lug. No further disassembling was effected to check for additional matching numbers. Accompanied by a beautiful black leatherette covered, red and white satin lined Arno Werner handmade presentation case. Inside the lid is overlaid with a red and white ribbon embossed in gold "COLT ARMY". Also accompanied by the first page of an undated letter on the letterhead of Arnold Marcus Chernoff, well known late 20th century dealer/collector. Mr. Chernoff states that this is one of the finest Nimschke engraved Model '60 Army Colts. He also states that it was accompanied by its orig factory casing, complete with accessories,now lost to history. Additionally accompanied by another Chernoff letter dated April 13, 1983 where he is discussing this revolver and the presentation. Also accompanied by a letter from the Belfast (Ireland) Education and Library Board, to R.L. Wilson dated 24 March 1977, which states that Francis Ignatius O'Hanlon was the Post Master on Market Street in Portadown 1877-1898. And a note from Wilson to Chernoff dated 11 April, forwarding the B.E.L.B. information. In 1898 he apparently became a Justice of the Peace. Portadown is a small town in Northern Ireland just outside Belfast. A handwritten note on the bottom of a Little John Auction Service letter to the consignor states "the gun was found inside a wall of a house being torn down in Northern Ireland per John Gangle and accounts for its original, exceptional condition per John Gangle." PROVENANCE: Arnold Marcus Chernoff. CONDITION: Very fine to extremely fine. Wedge is numbered "4807" and is engraved on both ends, cyl and grip are unnumbered. Overall retains 96-97% strong nickel finish with a few scattered spots of light flaking and minor sharp edge wear with dulling on backstrap. Grip is extremely fine with crisp edges, numerous age lines in bottom edges and retains a wonderful mellow ivory patina. Mechanics are fine, strong bright bore with scattered pitting. Case is as new. 4-47094