November 17 & 18, 2021 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/17/2021
Near new condition and well documented Colt Single Action Army revolver, factory engraved by renowned Colt Master Engraver Rudolph J. Kornbrath. Considered by many Colt collectors and historians to be one of the finest if not the finest master engraver of the 20th century. Austrian born R.J. Kornbrath emigrated to the United States in 1910 and began working for Colt in 1919 until a disabling stroke ended his career in 1937. This superlative Colt, serial number 355162 shipped on April 4, 1935 to Wolf & Klar in Forth Worth Texas. Nickel-plated, 4 - 3/4" barrel with correct 2-line barrel address, chambered in .45 LC. Accompanying Colt Archival letter dated September 15, 1966, signed by R.H. Wagner, documents caliber, barrel length, nickel finish, rubber grips, factory engraved and shipped as a one gun shipment to Wolf & Klar on April 4, 1935. Well known Colt collector and previous owner of serial number 355162, Jonathan Peck had a second Colt Master Engraver and artisan, Alvin A. White replace the rubber grips with custom made and fitted Mother of Pearl grips featuring a carved "Texas Lone Star" motif with an inlaid gold medallion marked: "State of Texas" with a "Lone Star" engraved in the medallion center. Late Colt historian and author, R.L. "Larry" Wilson many times referred to Alvin A. White as the "Dean of American Arms Engravers". These spectacular pearl grips are evidence of that claim. Accompanying the revolver is a second pair of period correct Colt black hard rubber grips custom fitted to the gun. This Colt is pictured in three of Wilson's books including, "The Book of Colt Engraving", "Colt Engraving", and "Fine Colts, the Dr. Joseph Murphy Collection". Engraving is superior quality of approximate grade -C- coverage featuring Kornbrath classic Germanic scrollwork with near full coverage on the cylinder and a unique frame design that runs over onto the backstrap and triggerguard giving a seamless appearance of one-piece construction. All screw heads, including the grip screw, are engraved. Also included is a period correct Colt hinged maroon box with original end label marked " ENGRAVED" / "4 3/4, Colts Army S.A. Revolver .45" / "Rubber Nickel". The providence and previous ownership of this fine Colt reads like a chapter of "Who is Who" in the world of Colt collecting beginning with Wolf & Klar, I.E.P Waggoner, Ray Prater, Jonathan Peck, Richard Ellis, Joseph Murphy, Brad Witherell, and Doug Stein. CONDITION: Near new in every respect. The gun shows little to no wear with virtually all the bright original nickel remaining. The bore is bright and clean. Cylinder chambers are bright. No drag line on the cylinder. Grips are near mint. Condition of this revolver would be nearly impossible to improve upon and should be viewed as an opportunity to own one of the best in originality and condition. MKS
Accessories
Box & Extra Hard Rubber Grips
Caliber/Bore
.45 Long Colt