May 7, 2024 The Paul Friedrich Collection of Firearms & Gold Rush
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.
New Service Target manufactured by Colt in 1905. The left side of the barrel is stamped "NEW SERVICE" followed by the caliber designation "44 RUSSIAN CTG.", with Colt's 2-line address across the top. Left side of frame bears the Rampant Colt logo encircled by "+ COLT'S +/ NEW SERVICE". The top strap is factory gold inlaid "PAUL DRYDEN". Metal components exhibit a lustrous blue finish, while some smaller components are nitre blued. Frame is mounted with 2-piece checkered walnut fleur-de-lis grips. 7 - 1/2" barrel is mounted with a bead front sight, while the frame is mounted with a wind adjustable "V" notch rear sight. Matching numbers present on the frame and cylinder crane, with the grips matching via a handwritten number in pencil on the interior of the panels. Accompanying this example is a Colt factory letter indicating the aforementioned gold inlaid name over the top strap, as well as indicating that this example was charged to "Ad. Acct." and was shipped to Paul Dryden (Address unavailable) on June 10th of 1905. This revolver is also accompanied by a letter from Colt's Sales Manager to Paul Dryden, highlighting that Paul Dryden had reached out to Colt several times, requesting (unspecified) changes in the New Service's design, with Colt's Sales Manager stating "We are certainly desirous of having you equipped with one of our arms which will be satisfactory in every particular, and we will get up for you a caliber .44 Russian New Service Target Revolver, engraving your name on same, and send it to you free of charge.", as well as some research into the occupation (likely census records), and Paul Dryden's obituary. CONDITION: Very good, with metal components retaining the majority of their original high polish factory blue finish, exhibiting superficial marks from handling and storage, as well as some splotchy losses on the left side of the barrel that show through to brown patina, with some spots of mild corrosion at the left edges of the muzzle. Front sight base bears a strike mark to the rear left corner, but is otherwise fine. Cylinder exhibits edge modest edge wear through to gray patina, with an area of thinning present on one side that shows through to a brown patina. Brilliant mirror bore, exhibiting sharp and well-defined rifling throughout. Grips exhibit smoothing, with a few scattered marks and impressions from storage and handling, but are otherwise fine. With less than 100 New Service and Shooting Master revolvers monogrammed, this makes for an exceptionally attractive and desirable Colt New Service that is accompanied by original factory documentation.
Paperwork
Factory Letter, Research