October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/22/2019
Serial numbers 33612 & 33633. Both revolvers are virtually identical, blue and color case hardened with 6" octagon barrels, engraved “Saml Colt” addresses, pin front sights with #33612 having a right hand address and #33633 having a left hand address. Both revolvers have silver plated trigger guards and backstraps containing highly figured, burl walnut one piece grips matching numbered to their respective revolvers. Both have 5 shot cylinders with stagecoach hold up scene roll markings and all 5 safety pins intact on both cylinders. They are engraved virtually identical with “COLTS PATENT” in a ribbon on the frames with the frames having about full coverage large scroll patterns with very fine shaded background. One of the scrolls on the recoil shield of #33633 terminates in a very detailed flower blossom. Matching engraving patterns extend over the barrel lugs and rammer pivots, on the backstraps, buttstraps and trigger guards. Top of the backstraps are engraved differently with #33612 having a fan pattern and #33633 leaf and geometric patterns. Trigger bows are engraved with small American shields and edges of the trigger guards are in feather patterns. All screw heads are nicely engraved. Hammers are deluxe engraved with a wolf’s head on each side of the hammer noses, fish scale patterns on the sides of the spurs and top edges. Accompanied by a beautiful brass bound rosewood casing that has a gold washed plaque in the lid, hand scratched “W. THOMSON / Canada 1851” Interior is dark blue velvet lined and compartmented in the bottom for both revolvers, a double sided eagle and shield pocket size flask, a brass twp cavity “COLTS PATENT” mold without sprue cutter, an “L” shaped nipple wrench, a lacquered tin for Eley’s caps, along with lead bullets and balls and a functioning key. This set is illustrated on page 73 of the book The Wm M. Locke Collection, Sellers. It appears that the mold and cap tin have been changed from this photograph, though they are from the period of this set. Pistols also appear on page 79 as item 46 plate XXVIII in the book Samuel Colt Presents and page 39 of Colt Engraving both by Wilson. PROVENANCE: William Locke Collection; Arnold Marcus Chernoff Collection. CONDITION: Revolvers are nearly identical in condition, both all matching except the wedge on #33633 is unnumbered. Both retain about 98% glossy original blue on the barrels and dark case colors on the rammers and handles. Frames retain most of their original muted case colors as is typical of the Colts of this era. Cylinders retain virtually all of their bright orig blue and about 99% stagecoach hold-up scene roll markings. Cylinder on #33612 has a large “Z” shaped scratch. Trigger guards and backstraps retain virtually all of their orig silver plating with some minor edge wear. Grips are sound with good edges and light nicks & scratches and retain most of their strong orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bores with a few small scattered spots of pitting. Case has a crack across the lid, otherwise is sound with handling and storage nicks and scratches and retains most of its orig varnish. Interior is lightly soiled inside the lid and bottom with light to moderate soil in the bottom. Partitions are all solid. Flask is as new. Mold is of the correct period with casting flaws in the brass, otherwise is extremely fine. Other accessories are equally fine. A truly spectacular set worthy of the most advanced collection. Accompanied by a letter from Arnold Chernoff dated 1985 describing these revolvers at time of his selling them. TDW
Caliber/Bore
(BOTH) .31 Rifled
Serial Number
(A) 33612 (B) 33633