2043

*VERY RARE ENGRAVED LONG FLUTE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:35,000.00 USD Estimated At:70,000.00 - 90,000.00 USD
*VERY RARE ENGRAVED LONG FLUTE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.
SN 331111. Cal .45 Colt. Nickel finish with 4-3/4" bbl, full front sight, 2-line address and caliber marking on left side. Left side of frame has 2-line 3-patent dates mounted with exceptional 2-pc pearl grips that have deep left and right rampant Colt medallions. Left grip is carved with a very deep relief ox head. Revolver has about 75-80% coverage wonderful, intertwined foliate arabesque patterns with exceptionally fine, even pearled background by master engraver Cuno Helfricht. Engraving also consists of extraordinary patterns on the left recoil shield and loading gate with feather patterns down the top strap and diamond patterns on each side of the bbl boss. Bottom front gullets are engraved in Mr. Helfricht's distinctive flower blossoms. Foliate arabesque patterns extend completely up the sides of the bbl with geometric patterns over the top of bbl. Top gullet of the ejector housing is engraved in a very fine snake and dot pattern with unusual zig-zag edge patterns. Outer radius of the ejector housing is engraved in leaf and vine patterns. Backstrap is engraved in Mr. Helfricht's distinctive fan pattern with geometric patterns down the backstrap, on the buttstrap and on the trigger guard. Cylinder is extensively engraved with unusual patterns on the lands between the flutes, a line border around the flutes with scalloped border around the rear edge. Rear face of the cylinder is marked with last four digits of matching serial number. According to Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Cochran, there were only two long flute revolvers that were engraved. One was silver plated, the other nickel plated. He identifies the silver plated one but does not identify the nickel plated one. The long flute Single Action revolver was produced beginning in 1913 with about 1,379 manufactured between serial numbers 328915 & 329925, in six Calibers in all three bbl lengths plus two ejector-less models. The long flute cylinders are left-over model 1878 DA Frontier revolver cylinders. Colt, being the ultra-frugal company that it was, never disposing of anything that might be useful, recycled these cylinders by having stop notches cut on the outer diameter and installing them in these Single Action revolvers. Accompanied by a Colt Factory letter which identifies this revolver in Cal. 45 with 4-3/4" bbl, nickel finish, pearl grips with carved steer head motif, factory engraved and under special features, "furnished with a double action cylinder of long flute configuration" and shipped to Praeger Hardware Company, San Antonio, TX on Sept. 23, 1914 in a one gun shipment. This is one of the most elaborately Helfricht engraved Colt's ever examined by this cataloger, undoubtedly from the hand of the master himself. CONDITION: Very fine, overall retains about 95% strong, orig nickel finish with the majority of the losses on the left side of the bbl and top strap with slight loss just behind the trigger guard. Cylinder retains most of its strong orig nickel with front face mostly dark patina and some very fine, minor flaking in the flutes. Outer diameter shows thinning and wear on the lands between the flutes. Grips have chipped toes otherwise are sound showing great fire and strong color. Mechanics are crisp. Strong bright bore with scattered and very fine pitting. This is one of the finer, more exciting 4-3/4" Single Actions to come to market in some time. 4-49413 JR310