September 20, 2018 Colt Firearms Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/20/2018
Includes factory letter documenting all features except grips. This is the most luxuriously engraved Colt Lightning revolver known, prominently pictured on pages 256 and 257 of "Colt Pistols, The Collection of R. E. Hable" by Larry Wilson. The entire gun retains nearly all of its bright Colt nickle finish with some minor fading within the engraved cylinder flutes. The sunburst treatments on the recoil shield are reminiscent of the famous panel scene Colt Single Actions. The engraving on the cylinder is of a quality reserved for the magnificent Panel Scene Single Actions. Each chamber has an alternating different treatment, with three chambers having shields and sunbursts, and the other three with scrolls on a punch dot background. The engraving on the trigger guard is also of the highest order with dozens of tiny panels filled with engraving. The frame is beautifully engraved with scrolls and flowers on a punch dot background. The owner's initials are beautifully engraved on the back strap. All the screws retain nearly all their original Colt factory nitre blue. The hammer retains almost all its original niter blue with minor loss towards the top. Sides of hammer are a bright polish. Beautifully contrasting gutta percha grips are most elegant in combination with the high polish nickel. Bore is brilliant and face of cylinder shows little evidence of firing. The engraving on this revolver stands up to the closest examination and the more one studies it, the more one appreciates the artistry. This revolver can stand as one of the Colt factory's greatest artistic achievements on a Colt Lightning revolver. CORRECTION: Photo added