July 13-15, 2021 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/13/2021
Colt Detective Special revolver attributed to Warden Roy Best of the Colorado State Penitentiary. Roy Best served as Warden of the Colorado State Penitentiary from 1932 until 1952, often utilizing corporal punishment as a means of deterrence for the penitentiary's inmates, with his most notable form of punishment being the "Old Gray Mare". Whilst being a stern overseer of the penitentiary, Roy Best is also known for being the pioneer of contemporary prisoner rehabilitation practices, opening ranches, workshops, and gardens within the penitentiary to provide inmates with skills to earn a living upon release. The left side of the barrel is marked "38" followed by "DETECTIVE / SPECIAL" with Colt's 2-line address on the right side. Left side of frame bears the Rampant Colt logo and "VP" proof. Bottom of grip is stamped "C.S.P. No. 3", indicating issue to the Colorado State Penitentiary. Accompanying this revolver is a hand crafted holster marked "RB" that is decorated with southern flora, as well as a folder containing an original factory letter stating that this revolver was shipped to the Colorado State Penitentiary, Canon City, CO on January 3rd of 1941 in a shipment of four guns, several notarized letters of authenticity for several items that were formerly Roy Best's, scans of letters one of which appointing Roy Best as the Warden of the Colorado State Penitentiary, as well as personal documents from Roy Best including a New York Life Insurance Company receipt as well as a Certificate of Contribution to the Intermountain Unit Shriners Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT signed by Roy Best. CONDITION: Metal components retain bountiful amounts of their original factory blue finish, exhibiting few areas of notable wear. Muzzle shows some light silvering on either side of the barrel. Mirror bore, retaining well defined lands and grooves throughout. Grips show a few minor handling handling marks, some light smoothing, as well as a light impression on the left grip panel. Holster is excellent, showing a few scattered handling marks. A very high condition Colt Detective revolver, attributed to one of the most notorious wardens of the 20th century. MLW
Paperwork
Factory Letter, Provenance