GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
MINTY FACTORY ENGRAVED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER BY CUNO HELFRICHT. COLT SAA 335562 45 MODERN Cal 45. Nickle with 4-3/4″ bbl, full thick front sight and 2-line block letter address. Left side of frame is marked with 2-line, 3-patent dates and rampant Colt. Mounted with factory 2-pc smooth mother-of-pearl grips that have silver Colt medallions. Revolver is among the last of Colt master engraver Cuno A. Helfricht's personal work, note the refinement of the scroll toward the end of his career. There are numerous examples of virtually identical Helfricht engraving pictured in many texts. Two noted examples are found on pgs 443 & 448 (SNs 3331877 & 333764) in The Colt Engraving Book Volume One, R. L. Wilson. Accompanied by Colt factory letter, showing shipped in 45 Cal with 4-3/4″ bbl, nickle finish with pearl stocks, factory engraved and that it was shipped to Stauffer, Eshleman & Co. of New Orleans, LA on, April 11, 1917 in a 4-gun shipment. The two guns pictured in Wilson cited above with virtually identical "Grade B engraving" were also shipped to same company in New Orleans. SN was observed on frame, trigger guard, backstrap and internally on pearl stocks. Rear face of cyl has last 4-digits of SN. This gun no doubt is among the last guns personally engraved by Cuno Helfricht in his shop. CONDITION: Extremely fine, all matching. Overall retains virtually all of its crisp orig factory finish with only a few small, thin areas of dark, pinprick pitting and staining on cyl and right face of frame unaffecting the overall aesthetics of an otherwise almost new gun. Gun shows no evidence of ever having been fired. Grips are crisp with fine translucence and "fiery" color. Mechanically, gun is perfect with crisp shiny bore. 50412-38 JS (30,000-50,000)