GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
EXTREMELY RARE AND FACTORY DOCUMENTED TO MASTER ENGRAVER BILL MAINS, COLT SECOND GENERATION SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH FACTORY EAGLE GRIPS.COLTSAA51142SA45 LCMODERN; C&RCal. 45LC. 5-1/2" bbl. Blue and case color finish. 2-pc Colt hard rubber grips with eagle motif. Revolver is beautifully factory engraved in the coverage level of "B class scroll engraving" by Colt Factory Master Engraver Bill Mains. Bbl address is bordered on both sides with flawless scroll work. Both sides of muzzle are also scroll engraved. Ejector rod housing is scroll engraved on each end. Frame is masterfully scroll engraved. Backstrap is engraved on apron and at butt end. Butt has very nice scroll engraving at the heel. Trigger guard is engraved on outer bow and around screw. Cyl is scroll engraved between flutes and around rear periphery. Bbl shows 1-line address on top with model and cal mark on left side. Frame shows 2-line patent mark on left side with rampant Colt logo to rear. Frame has SN stamped on forward bottom flat. Serial Number is also stamped on the left side of the grip straps under the grips. The partial serial number "142" is also marked on the front of the cylinder. The matching assembly number "351" is stamped on the loading gate and on the rear of the frame. The grips are numbered to the gun. The famous Bill Mains "signature markings" are crisply shown on the front of the frame where a clear "B" and "buffalo mark" can be seen. The Colt Factory discouraged factory engravers from signing their work, so since Bill Mains operated out of Buffalo, New York, he signed his Colt factory work in this now famous symbolic signature. In famed author Don Wilkerson's book "The Post-War Colt Single Action Army 1955-1975" Wilkerson details the Colt factory records on page 118 as stating that Colt only produced 7 (seven) factory engraved 2nd generation SAA in this specific revolvers configuration. With over 70,000 Colt SAA produced during Colts 2nd Generation run, this specific revolver being one of only 7 engraved and produced by Colt in this engraved configuration, speaks to the rarity of this beautiful gun. Colt factory letter confirms all features with attribution to master engraver Bill Mains. Letter shows shipment to Colt executive Mr. James McLaughlin, Jr. Colt Firearms Division, Hartford, CT on December 10, 1970. This is an "in-house" revolver, delivered to a Colt employee. Also included is a Colt Stagecoach box. PROVENANCE: The Vince Sepulveda Collection, Colt Factory Archive Letter. CONDITION: Excellent. Grips are excellent. A wonderful and very rare factory engraved 2nd generation Colt single action army. 50872-2 TEP (8,000-14,000)