GUN FALL 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
RARE BRACE OF COLT BISLEY SINGLE ACTION REVOLVERS WITH BOHLIN SILVER GRIPS AND BOHLIN DOUBLE BUSCADERO TOOLED SILVER MOUNTED HOLSTER RIG. COLT BISLEY 309570/262595 38 MODERN; C&R 1) Cal. 38 Colt. SN 262595. Blue and color case hardened with 5-1/2" replacement bbl that has a gold bead altered replacement front sight with 1-line block letter address, marked on left side "(BISLEY MODEL) 38 COLT". Left side of frame has 2-line three patent dates and Rampant Colt trademark. Backstrap has been fully checkered. Mounted with fantastic engraved hollow Bohlin 2-pc silver grips with screw from right grip. Grips are engraved in incredible foliate arabesque and floral patterns with fine shaded background. Left grip, at the bottom edge is inlaid with the raised gold initials "HMH" (H.M.Horkheimer 1882-1962). Left side of front strap and buttstrap, under the grip is marked with the assembly number "359", which number is also found inside the ejector housing but not on the bbl or cylinder. This number indicates that this revolver had been returned to Colt for rework, probably at which time the bbl and cylinder were replaced. 2) Cal. 38 Special. SN 309570. Blue and color case hardened with 5-1/2" bbl that has altered, wedge-shaped front sight pinned over the orig sight. Bbl has 1-line block letter address and left side is marked "(BISLEY MODEL) / COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .38 SPECIAL". Left side of frame has 2-line three patent date and Rampant Colt in circle. This revolver is mounted with nearly identically engraved grips to match number 1 above with the screw from the left grip. Right grip is inlaid with the raised gold initials "HMH". Revolvers are accompanied by an incredible Bohlin-made dbl Buscadero rig about 44" l x 3-1/4 w lined dark brown leather belt tooled in foliate and floral arabesque patterns that have fine pearled background. The entire bottom edge of the belt is studded with small silver flower blossom buttons. The billets are mounted with a beautifully engraved Bohlin silver buckle set, marked on back of buckle. The holsters made for 5-1/2" bbl Single Action revolvers have elliptical Cheyenne plugs with sewn back edge and fine calfskin lining. Holsters are secured to the skirts with a sgl strap that each have a fine engraved Bohlin buckle marked on the back "STERLING". One of these straps is broken and the other very dry and fragile. Top edge of holsters and completely around the skirts are mounted with matching silver floral buttons. Back of the belt and back of each holster has the "BOHLIN-MADE / CALIF. / HOLLYWOOD" cartouche and back of each holster and belt are professionally hand-carved "H.M.Horkheimer". Mr. Horkheimer, along with his brother founded the Balboa Amusement Production Company, an early film production company based in Long Beach, California. They began making movies in 1911 and ceased production in 1918 after having produced 229 mostly short films. This is an incredible set by one of Hollywood's most famous silver and leather companies. The likelihood is that Mr. Horkheimer may have starred in some of his own movies and used this rig with his costume. CONDITION: 1) Fine. Bbl and cylinder retain about 95-96% glossy Colt blue. Frame and hammer retain about 95% orig case colors, strong in front gullets, moderately faded elsewhere. Trigger guard and front strap retain about 95% thinning Colt blue and the backstrap is a blue-grey patina. Grips are extremely fine. Mechanics are crisp. Brilliant shiny bore. 2) Bbl and cylinder retain 95-98% crisp Colt blue with only sharp edge wear. Frame and hammer retain about 30-40% faded case colors with the balance silver-grey. Trigger guard and backstrap retain about 70% orig blue, strong on the trigger guard, faded on the backstrap. Grips are extremely fine. Hammer is not solid in safety or half-cocked notches, otherwise mechanics are fine. Brilliant shiny bore. Holster rig is somewhat dry, in need of treatment with its one broken strap. Otherwise, it is extremely fine with sharp tooling showing little wear or soil. 52587-1 JRL (15,000-25,000)