June 9-10, 2017 Premier Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/10/2017
Factory letter lists:
.38-40
4-3/4" barrel
Nickel with gold cylinder
Engraved
Stocks not listed
JF Schmelzer & Co., Kansas City, Missouri, sold to S. Hirschfeld (address unavailable) on 11-1-1901
Revolver remains in this exact configuration. There are no signs of gold plating. Sports a pair of real Mother of Pearl grips; right panel has carved steer head with diamond eyes and ruby nostrils (missing one of each gem). Typical Cuno A. Helfricht Shop (working at Colt from 1871 to 1921); combination of scroll and punch dot background. Nearly identical scroll work on the cylinder can be seen on page 281 in the book "Colt Engraving", same frame type engraving found on the same gun, same page. No engraving on backstrap or front grip strap, otherwise has nearly full coverage. This gun was not a closet queen, it saw years of use. Overall areas of pitting. Grips are very good to excellent. Four perfect clicks. What's left of the nickel finish is hard to distinguish from the raw steel. Rifling is strong but could use a good cleaning. This would be a great candidate for restoration and sports a $2,000 original set of grips.