GUN FALL 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2017
EXTREMELY RARE TRANSITIONAL COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER IN A SCARCE CALIBER FACTORY ENGRAVED BY WILBUR GLAHN WITH IVORY GRIPS AND FACTORY LETTER.COLTSAA34180444 RUSSIAN & SPECIALMODERN; C&R; ESACal. 44 Russian & S&W Special. Nickel finish with 5-1/2" bbl, full thick front sight with V-notch rear sight in the top strap. Left side of the bbl has the roll marked caliber "RUSSIAN AND S&W SPECIAL 44". Left front side of frame has 2-line 3-patent dates and the Rampant Colt trademark. Mounted with very beautiful 2-pc ivory grips that have deep left & right Colt medallions. SN was observed on the bottom front of frame and on the left side of the front & backstraps under the grip. Rear face of the cylinder has last 4 digits of matching SN. This revolver is beautifully engraved by Wilbur Glahn in about B-style which consists of about 50% coverage extremely well executed foliate arabesque patterns with nearly full coverage on the frame, recoil shield & loading gate. Top strap is engraved in extremely well executed leaf & vine patterns with beautiful, simple arabesque patterns on the bbl which extend from the frame to the front sight, surrounding the 1-line block letter address. Ejector housing is engraved with a snake pattern in the top gullet with extremely well executed geometric patterns on the outer radius. Each side of the frame bbl boss is engraved with Mr. Glahn's distinctive V-shape pattern which are also found at the top of the backstrap and on the heel & toe of the grip frame. Buttstrap is engraved in a light arabesque pattern with an extremely detailed hunters star on the trigger bow. Cylinder is engraved to match with a continuous running foliate arabesque pattern between & behind the flutes. Rear edge of the cylinder has a double wavy line border pattern. Rear edges of the frame on each side of the hammer slot are engraved in feather patterns with very nicely shaded background. Wilbur Glahn began working for Colt in 1919 and was greatly influenced by the master engraver Cuno Helfricht which shows in much of the extremely fine detail found on this revolver, particularly in the very fine shading & crisp, sharp cuts. The pearled background found in the engraving on the frame is very consistent and even, also an influence by Mr. Helfricht which was not so noticeable on Mr. Glahn's later work. The leaf & vine patterns on the top strap of this revolver and the arabesque patterns on the bbl are also indicative of Mr. Helfricht's influence and are reminiscent of the early leaf & vine patterns found on his work on early percussion Colt's. A review of the book Colt Engraving, Wilson, in the Wilbur Glahn section, disclosed several other similarly engraved revolvers, but few with such simple artistic beauty as found on this one. Accompanied by a Colt Factory letter which identifies this revolver in caliber 44 S&W, with 5-1/2" bbl, nickel finish, ivory stocks & factory engraved, shipped to Baker, Hamilton, Pacific Co., San Francisco, CA / Ellery Arms Co. on May 9, 1921 in a 1-gun shipment. Also accompanied by a 1-page letter by renowned Colt Historian, author & researcher, the late R.L. Wilson wherein he discusses the Cuno Helfricht / Wilbur Glahn transition engraved pieces which he states are the best work by Mr. Glahn. A very similar example of this rare transitional work is seen in Wilson & Hables book of Colt pistols on page 216 and 217 further describing the rarity of these embellished arms. This is truly an exceptional work by Mr. Glahn. PROVENANCE: Vince Sepulveda Collection. CONDITION: Excellent plus, all matching . Overall retains about 99% plus crisp, orig nickel with only a very light cylinder line and a couple small spots of flaking under the grips. Grips are excellent with a few age lines and show a beautiful golden ivory patina. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore, new & unfired. Possibly a one of one ever produced. 52598-1 JRL (75,000-125,000)