3160

Exceptional Documented Factory Engraved Silver and Gold Plated Colt Single Action Army Revolver with

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Hand Guns - Revolvers Start Price:30,000.00 USD Estimated At:60,000.00 - 90,000.00 USD
Exceptional Documented Factory Engraved Silver and Gold Plated Colt Single Action Army Revolver with
Buyer's Premium is 20.5% by credit card, reduced to 18% if payment is made by cash, check or wire transfer. Contact Rock Island Auction Company to complete your registration with the auction house.
Exceptional Documented Factory Engraved Silver and Gold Plated Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Pearl Grips and Factory Letter

Manufactured in 1914. This revolver has the extremely rare combination of Colt No. 2 style engraving executed by Master Engraver Cuno Helfricht or his shop with a silver and gold plated finish and two-piece pearl grips. The engraving is nearly identical to the nickel plated Colt Single Action Revolver in the 332,000 serial number range purchased by General George S. Patton c. 1916 that is illustrated on page 233 of THE BOOK OF COLT ENGRAVING by R.L. Wilson. The revolver is complete with a Colt factory letter that describes it as: caliber .44/40 with 4 3/4-inch barrel, silver plated finish, pearl grips and "Special Features" that include a gold plated cylinder, hammer and trigger guard. The letter states that the revolver was sold to Colt manager "A. Foster Jr." and shipped to Juan C. Gallegos on March 26, 1914. Albert Foster was Colt's New York representative and was one of the nation’s premier firearms collectors. Un-verified information indicates that the revolver was a gift from Foster to an important Colt client in Argentina. The silver and gold plated finish is extremely rare. Experts estimate that only thirty-nine 1st Generation Colt Single Action Army revolvers were manufactured with the combination gold and silver finish. The revolver is impeccably engraved with flowing scrollwork on a punch dot background and zig-zag borders. The top of the barrel has the two-line Hartford address in an engraved panel with zig-zag scalloped and lined borders. The left side of the barrel is roll-stamped "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER .44-40" in an engraved panel with wavy borders surrounded by scrollwork. The caliber designation "44" is stamped on the bottom of the barrel adjacent to the frame. The left side of the frame has the Colt three date/two line patent markings in an engraved banner followed by the circled Rampant Colt trademark. The assembly number "22C" is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. The serial number "328709" is located on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The partial serial number "8709" is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match.

Manufucture: Colt
Model: Single Action Army
BBL: 4 3/4 inch round
Stock:
Guage: 44-40 CF
Finish: silver/gold
Grips: mother of pearl
Serial Number: 328709

Very fine. The revolver retains 60% of the gold and silver plated finish. Considerable amounts of tarnished silver plating are present on the frame and barrel. The hammer and trigger retain 80% of the gold plated finish; traces of gold plating are visible on the trigger guard. The cylinder has been period replated and retains 90% gold plating over crisp, unpolished engraving. The flawlessly executed engraving is sharp and deep. The Colt markings and serial numbers are crisp. The two-piece pearl grips are very good with an expert triangular shaped piece repair in the heel on the right grip and a small hairline crack in the side of the left grip. The action functions perfectly. This exceptional, well documented and extremely rare revolver is one of the very few known examples of a 1st Generation Colt Single Action Army with factory engraving and silver and gold plated combination finish.