GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
RARE OBILTSCHNIG ENGRAVED COLT GOVERNMENT MODEL MK III MID-RANGE NATIONAL MATCH SEMI-AUTO PISTOL. COLT MK III MID RANGE NATIONAL MATCH 278-MR 38 SPCL MODERN C&R Cal. 38 Spcl. Blue finish with 5" bbl and orig adjustable sights in a raised rib on top of the slide. Pistol is elaborately engraved with full coverage foliate arabesque patterns that have fine shaded background. Both sides of the slide are relief engraved in rose & leaf patterns and finished in French grey. The entirety of the pistol is outlined in gold wire with fancy scrolls at each terminus. Mounted with elaborate fish scale carved burl walnut grips that have gold Rampant Colt medallions. Grip screws are also engraved. Spring housing is serrated straight-style, frontstrap and trigger guard are also matching serrated. Slide lock and thumb safety are engraved to match and the only areas not engraved are the bbl bushing and hammer. Bottom front of the frame is engraved in a rectangular panel "ENGRAVED / OBILTSCHNIG / FERLACH". Accompanied by 1 orig Colt 38 Special magazine. Also accompanied by a wonderful dovetailed, fluted lid, green velvet lined presentation style case that has functioning key. Accompanied by a fax from the consignor with information regarding this pistol which discloses that Mr. Obiltschnig had spent 230 hours on the engraving. He stated that the steel was so hard that a full days work would net an engraved area "no larger than his fingernail" and asked "please, no more Colt pistols". CONDITION: Extremely fine plus. Appears to be new and unfired at least since engraving. Grips are equally crisp and case is as new. 50184-1 JR198 (8,000-12,000)