GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
HISTORIC COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH ABERCROMBIE & FITCH BELT AND HOLSTER THAT ONCE BELONGED TO JACOB ECKFELDT A MINING AND MACHINE ENGINEER THAT WORKED THE MINES IN LIMA, PERU.ColtSAA344973.45 COLTMODERN; C&RCal. .45 Colt. 5-1/2" bbl, blue and case colored finish, 1-pc walnut grips, bbl has 1-line address, high thick front sight, cal. marking on left side of bbl. Frame shows Colt''s patent mark on left side in front of Rampant Colt without a circle. SNs match on frame, trigger guard, and backstrap. The last two digits of SN are stamped on rear face of cylinder. Hammer is a replacement from an earlier model Colt SA and has coarse checkering. Backstrap has a slight relief cut to accommodate the old-style hammer. Grips are replacements but are of orig Colt manufacture. Grips are numbered 4166 in backstrap channel. Front channel has a partial hole drilled to make room for mainspring screw. These modifications were probably accomplished by gunsmith B. L. Fellows in order to replicate the feel of an older model Colt SA. "JTE" is neatly carved into the butt of each side of grip.
This revolver was once the property of Jacob T. Eckfeldt who was a mechanical engineer who worked between 1924 and 1964 for mining companies in Peru, one of which was the Inca Mining Co. Accompanying this revolver is a factory letter confirming features except for grips and stating that it was sold to B. L. Fellows and shipped to the Emery Hardware Co. in Bradford, PA, on February 12, 1924 in a one-gun shipment. B. L. Fellows was a local gunsmith and Emery Hardware Co. had interests in the Inca Mining Co. Also included is a license to carry this pistol mentioned by SN for Jacob Eckfeldt issued on February 28th, 1964. Jacob T. Eckfeldt was born in Concepcion, Mexico on October 8, 1899, graduated from Lehigh University in the class of 1925, and died in San Isidro, Lima, Peru on March 1st, 1967. He was the son of Howard Eckfeldt who was Professor of Mining Engineering at Lehigh University, PA. Also included is correspondence with Jacob''s two surviving sons who recall their father''s affinity for Colt firearms. The belt and holster are of high quality with a nickel silver belt buckle and a brass "J" on side of holster. The rear of holster is stamped "Abercrombie & Fitch Co., New York" and appears to be the product Heiser Leather Works of Denver, Co. Holster shows "SA 5-1/2" and Catalog "# 1700" on backside which are both marks used by Heiser. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Bbl retains 95% of blue finish with slight muzzle wear on left side and on top of sight. Bbl address is sharp. Cal. mark is sharp. Bore is bright with strong rifling. Ejector housing retains 40% blue with outside surface turned to pleasing plum-brown patina. Frame retains 40-50% muted case color overall with vivid color in gullet at front of frame under loading gate and around hammer. Screws are fine with almost all of orig blue present. Hammer is polished bright on both sides with dull case color still visible on back side. Trigger retains 98% blue. Trigger guard retains 60% blue finish toward front end drifting to a even gray-brown patina on forestrap. Backstrap retains 30% blue finish mostly around apron and on butt with balance an even plum-brown patina. Cylinder retains 80-90% bright blue with a slight drag mark and some high point wear on front face of cylinder. Chambers are fine. Grips retain 95% of what appears to be their orig varnished finish, with only some small dents and bruises and some light high point wear. Action functions perfectly. Belt and holster are in fine condition. Buckle has a crack on top side. A rare opportunity to obtain a Colt Single Action Revolver with documented history that associates it with someone who lived in the "Wild West Days" of South America. 49767-1 TEP (4,500-6,500)