GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
FACTORY ENGRAVED COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.COLTSAA14614644 WCF (44-40)Cal. 44 WCF (44-40). Nickel finish with 7-1/2" bbl. 1-line block letter address roll marked on left side "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER". Left side of frame has 2-line, 3-patent dates and Rampant Colt in a circle. Mounted with uncarved two piece mother-of-pearl grips. Revolver is deluxe engraved by Cuno Helfricht with full coverage foliate arabesque patterns on the frame. This is one of the most elaborately Helfricht engraved Colts ever examined by this cataloger. Left recoil shield & loading gate are engraved in sunburst patterns with snake & dot patterns each side of hammer slot. Top strap is also engraved with snake & dot patterns with the addition of fine border patterns. Ejector boss is engraved with a sunburst pattern on each side and has matching foliate arabesque patterns on each side of bbl boss. Most unusually, the bottom front gullets are engraved in partial flower blossoms. Bbl is engraved nearly full length with matching foliate arabesque patterns and has fine geometric patterns around the address which extend almost to the slightly trimmed front sight. Ejector housing is engraved with snake & dot and geometric patterns in the top gullet and outer radius. Ejector rod head is a replacement as is the base pin. Cyl is engraved in typical alternating Helfricht patterns on lands between flutes with wide borders around rear edge. Shoulders of trigger guard & backstrap are engraved with partial flower blossoms with a very detailed fan pattern at top of backstrap that also has two border patterns, most unusual for Mr. Helfricht. Backstrap, buttstrap, frontstrap, trigger bow & trigger plate are engraved in geometric patterns. This revolver was produced in about 1892 when the west was still pretty wild with lots of outlaws and other nefarious characters which necessitated the daily carrying of a firearm. These arms usually saw very hard service and are rarely found today with high orig finish. Most likely, given the elaborate extra engraving, this revolver was for someone of rather high status or importance, probably in the American Southwest or Mexico. PROVENANCE: Colt factory letter confirms all features. CONDITION: Fine. Overall retains 75-80% strong orig nickel showing heavy holster wear around the muzzle with finish losses in that area. The forcing cone area also shows finish losses as well as about the front 1/3 of the cyl. Loss areas are a dark grey brown patina. Mechanics are fine. Mother of pearl grips fit well, probable period and have nice iridescence. Left grip has very small chip out of heel. Strong bore with good shine and scattered, moderate pitting. 49611-1 TEP (10,000-15,000)