2090

RARE FACTORY ENGRAVED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH TEXAS CONNECTIONS.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
RARE FACTORY ENGRAVED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH TEXAS CONNECTIONS.
SN 164018. Cal. 38 WCF (38-40). Nickel and gold finish with 4 3/4" bbl, slightly altered front sight & 2-line address with caliber marking on left side. Left side of frame has 2-line 3 patent dates and rampant colt in a partial circle. It is mounted with modern replacement 2-pc ivory grips with raised carved ox head on the right side. Revolver is beautifully engraved in New York-style, probably from the Nimschke shop, possibly by the master himself. Engraving consists of about 80% coverage foliate arabesque patterns on the frame, bbl, buttstrap & trigger guard. Top of backstrap is engraved in a fan pattern with triangular center. Backstrap is engraved in snake and dot patterns with matching patterns on top strap & in top gullet of ejector housing. Outer diameter of the ejector housing is very nicely engraved in geometric patterns & a flower blossom. Cylinder is beautifully engraved with foliate arabesque patterns on the lands between the flutes, a beautiful double line swag pattern from flute to flute with border patterns at the rear edge. Cylinder, hammer, trigger & base pin are gold plated with the balance of the revolver nickel finished. Ejector housing is 2nd type with bull's eye ejector rod head. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter which identifies this revolver in caliber 38-40 with 4-3/4" bbl, nickel & gold finish, pearl stocks with carved American Eagle motif, factory engraved & shipped to J. Bielenberg, Brownsville, Texas on December 21, 1895 in a one gun shipment. Also accompanied by the book Colt Factory Engravers of the Nineteenth Century, Houze which is furnished simply as a reference for engraving. CONDITION: Very fine. Overall retains virtually all of it's fine, factory-style restored finish. Replacement grips are sound with a dark artificially aged patina. Hammer is not solid in the safety or half-cock notches, otherwise mechanics are fine. Bore is worn with fine pitting and a ring near the muzzle which has caused a slight bulge. Book is near new. 4-48291 JR82