December 6-8, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/6/2023
Per the included factory letter, this revolver shipped as a .44 caliber Bisley with a 4 - 3/4" barrel, nickel finish, pearl stocks "with carved coat of arms motif", and shipped to L. Zeckendorf and Company, Tucson, Territory of Arizona, August 5th, 1903, in a shipment of 1 gun. Also included is a letter from Ron Graham discussing this revolver and a copy of the Colt special order book where this gun is listed as a factory engraved gun that took 2 weeks to complete the #3 pattern and fit with pearl carved U.S. "Book of Arms". In the letter from Ron Graham, he discusses how scarce a revolver in this configuration is, as only 60 or so Bisleys were factory engraved, and while some have better finish, the quality of engraving on this example and the grips make it a superior example. The grips are the only known example of factory carved pearls with the Coat of Arms motif, and they are possibly truly unique. Standard Bisley markings and legends with a 2-line 3-patent patent line, with an encircled Rampant Colt and an additional engraved line about the Colt, indicative of Helfricht's work. Graham suggests that Cuno himself cut the engraving due to the quality. The scroll is Helfricht's classic acanthus scroll on a punch dot background with accenting geometrics, including rocker engraved borders and geometrics. Cylinder has unusual semi-relief wrigglework at the rear. Floral devices on loading game, ejector rod housing lug on frame, and recoil shield. Grips with relief carved seal of the united states on the right panel, as lettered. Research from Dick Burdick indicates that Louis Zeckendorf was a German immigrant who controlled L. Zeckendorf and Company, a massive commercial store that was prominent in Arizona and down into Sonora, Mexico, where they carried everything from furniture to machinery to wool. His business partner was Albert Steinfeld, also a German immigrant, who was called Tuscon's Merchant Prince; no doubt one of these two industry titans special ordered this gun. PROVENANCE: Richard "Dick" Burdick collection. CONDITION: Overall very good, with the majority of the factory nickel remaining, with losses concentrated on the frame. Nickel is flaking throughout, with better retention in protected areas. Typical superficial scratches throughout, common to nickel. Stocks are excellent, with 2 minor chips to left scale. Hammer with case colors, heavily faded. Mechanically fine, bore has strong rifling. This is an extraordinarily rare example.
Paperwork
Factory Letter, Information