GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
FACTORY ENGRAVED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. COLT SAA 146148 41 COLT Cal. 41 Colt. Silver finish with 5-1/2" bbl, altered front sight with small copper insert, 1-line block letter address and Cal. marking on the left side. Bottom of bbl is marked with a tiny "41" under the base pin. Left side of frame has 2-line 3-patent dates and Rampant Colt in a circle. Revolver is engraved by Cuno Helfricht in about C coverage foliate arabesque patterns with fine pearled background. Left recoil shield and loading gate are engraved in half flower blossom patterns and the top strap in snake & dot patterns. Base pin and ejector housing bosses are engraved in foliate sprays. Matching pattern engraving extends to both sides of the bbl with wave & dot patterns around the address. Ejector housing is engraved in snake & dot patterns on the outer radius and with top gullet. Top of backstrap is engraved in an elaborate fan pattern with geometric patterns down the backstrap, on the buttstrap & trigger guard. Cyl is engraved, typically, in Mr. Helfricht alternating patterns on lands between flutes with snake & dot pattern at the rear edge. Mounted with fine 2-pc, smooth pearl grips that are probably not orig to this revolver. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter which identifies this revolver in Cal. 41 with 5-1/2" bbl, silver finish, pearl grips & factory engraved, sold to J.P. Lovell Arms Co., Boston, Mass and shipped to A. L. Chester Co., address not available on June 15, 1892 in a 1-gun shipment. Also accompanied by a copy of the collection card from the renowned Lew Yearout Collection of Great Falls, MT. One entry on the card shows that he purchased this revolver on March 26, 1966 from Mr. Jerry Marsh of Kalispell, MT. Back of the card states that this revolver is pictured in the Colt Engraving Book, Wilson, however a search of all 3 of Mr. Wilson''s books on Colt engraving disclosed no such entry. Revolvers of this era, especially those in use on the Western frontier saw very hard service frequently with little or no maintenance and are rarely found today with high orig finish. It seems likely that his revolver may have been the property of a law enforcement officer, wealthy rancher or an outlaw. PROVENANCE: Lewis & Layton Yearout Estate Collection. CONDITION: Fine. Overall retains traces of orig silver, strong under the ejector housing with traces in the more sheltered areas elsewhere. The balance is a smooth grey patina. Cyl is matching grey patina showing moderate to heavy holster wear. Grips have a couple of age lines, otherwise are sound with great fire and fine color. Hammer is not solid in safety notch, otherwise mechanics are fine. Strong bright bore with scattered pitting. 50190-1 JR200 (7,000-9,000)