GUN SPRING 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/21/2018
ELEGANT PRE-WAR COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER EMBELLISHED WITH SILVER INLAYS AND HAND-TOOLED LEATHER CASE BY ED BOHLIN, WITH FACTORY LETTER.COLTSAA Bohlin Custom35347445W/CASE & BOOKMODERN; C&R; ESACal .45 Colt. 7 1/2" bbl. The revolver has standard blue finish on the barrel, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap. Frame, hammer and loading gate are casehardened. Fitted with 2pc smooth ivory grips. The barrel is roll-stamped: "COLT'S PT. FA MFG. Co./ HARTFORD CT. U.s.A.". and "COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .45". Frame has Colt "two-line, three-date" patent marking and Rampant Colt. Assembly "421" on loading gate. The full serial number, "353474" on the bottom of the frame and on the left side grip, "74" on back of cylinder. The back strap and cylinder are embellished with silver inlays by Ed Bohlin. A silver inlay on the butt is inscribed: "S. DABNEY" (matching "S.D" initial on case lid) and a silver inlay with delicate foliate patterns running the length of the back strap. The cylinder has Bohlin's classic silver borders inlaid around the flutes and silver triangles inlaid at rear of cylinder. The edges of the trigger guard also features silver borders. The revolver rests in a fantastic full-coverage, hand-tooled, russet leather case made by Edward H. Bohlin of Hollywood, CA. The case is carved with the initials "S.D." in a shield surrounded by hand-tooled floral designs. The case has a black velvet lining and contains a forty round bullet block w/silver mounted top and filled w/empty brass. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter which lists the revolver's features as: Caliber: .45-C, Barrel Length: 7 1-2", Finish: Blue, Stocks not listed. Revolver shipped to Tufts-Lyon Arms Co, Los Angeles, CA, June 4, 1931 as a 1 gun shipment. Also a 1930's vintage Edward H. Bohlin product catalogue which illustrates a similar tooled revolver case on Page 116 with a list price of $40.00. Edward H. Bohlin was a legendary Hollywood Saddle Maker to the Stars, who was famous for his superb silver work on guns, saddles and tack. Bohlin's work is considered among the finest of all 20th century makers! CONDITION: Very fine. Retains 95%+ original blue and color casehardened finish. Barrel has some very minor high edge wear and at muzzle and ejector housing. A very minor oxidation spot below sight blade. Strong case colors. Grips are sound w/ mellow patina and age lines. Crisp mechanics. Bright bore. Leather case is excellent w/light scuffing on the bottom, corners, and edges. The case lining is excellent. Additional research is needed to identify "S.Dabney", but it is certain that he/she had very discerning taste and adequate resources during the early Depression era. 53190-5 jwd (12,000-17,000)