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Magnificent Early Colt New Service Revolver Engraved by Cuno Helfricht with Carved Ivory Grips

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Hand Guns - Revolvers Start Price:12,000.00 USD Estimated At:25,000.00 - 37,500.00 USD
Magnificent Early Colt New Service Revolver Engraved by Cuno Helfricht with Carved Ivory Grips
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Magnificent Early Colt New Service Revolver Engraved by Cuno Helfricht with Carved Ivory Grips

This is an exceptional example of an early production Colt New Service revolver that was clearly factory engraved in the Cuno Helfricht style, although no factory letter is available. Several revolvers of this type were produced and put on traveling displays which were exhibited throughout the world in the early 1900s. The engraving was clearly done by Cuno Helfricht himself or a Senior Engraver in his shop as it exhibits a "C" plus (75%) engraving over all the metal surfaces except the front grip strap, the cylinder flutes and the underside of the barrel. The engraving has the distinctly Helfricht, meticulous scroll pattern that is well balanced and blends very nicely with the respective areas of the frame, barrel and cylinder; all exhibiting nice shapely curves with highlights and a heavy punch dot background for shading. This is combined with the typical Helfricht geometric patterns of borders and high lights on the top of the barrel around the barrel markings, on each side of the lower frame area, the top strap which then extends down the frame (by the sides of the hammer) the top and rear section of the back strap. The engraver did not sign the gun which is typical of this time period, since many of these pistols were all contracted with companies outside of the Colt factory. This actual revolver was actually manufactured in late 1903 and also exhibits many of the early characteristics produced at that time, such as: the two line address and patent markings ending in 1900; the fixed firing pin with the old style frame with the early style top strap, without the front and rear cutouts, very similar to the SAAs produced during this time. The pistol is fitted with a beautiful set of two-piece, smooth Ivory grips with the raised carved spread wing eagle on the right side, without medallions. The barrel is marked "COLT'S PATENT FIREARMS MANUFACTURING CO. over HARTFORD.CT.U.S.A. PAT. AUG.5.1884. JUNE.5.1900.", with the left side marked: "NEW SERVICE 45 COLT." in one line. The left side plate has the early Colt Rampant Horse trademark encircled by "COLT'S NEW SERVICE". The early serial number "8928" is stamped on the inside of the frame and crane. The revolver has the standard clipped blade front sight and grooved receiver rear sight. The butt is fitted with a lanyard loop. This beautiful revolver has the Colt high polish pre-war commercial blue finish overall except the cylinder which is fully gold plated. It has the heat or niter blue trigger and hammer and the sides of the hammer are correctly polished with a casehardened ejector rod head.

Manufucture: Colt
Model: New Service
BBL: 5 1/2 inch round
Stock:
Guage: 45 Long Colt
Finish: blue/gold
Grips: ivory carved
Serial Number: 8928

Excellent overall with 97% of the original Colt high polish blue finish with wear basically on the left and right sides of the muzzle area, and some light thinning on the underside of the barrel, the front and rear grip straps as well as the edges and high spots. The cylinder retains 60% of the gilt finish with most of the remaining finish in the engraving patterns, the flutes and locking bolt areas. The grips are in excellent condition overall with a nice matching color on both sides, with one very small minor area just starting to show a crack on the right front lower corner of the grip. This is just an exceptional example of the early Colt Factories ability to produce top quality exhibition grade firearms. Certainly worthy of any high grade Colt Collection and would be very hard to improve upon.