October 25, 2023 The Paul Friedrich Collection of Firearms & Gold Rush
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/25/2023
Frank Cravens was a Deputy Sheriff of Caddo Parish, Shreveport, Louisiana. He was born September 6th, 1888 in Arkansas. He died on March 9th, 1931, less than 6 months after he received this gun. According to the 2-page Colt Factory archive letter, this revolver shipped as a .38 Special with 6" barrel, blue finish, ivory stocks, and level 1 factory engraving. It was shipped to the Loan Account, Alex Kagen, address unavailable on March 24th, 1927, on order number 12762/1 in a shipment of 1 gun. The records further indicate that it was returned to the factory on July 28th, 1928, and then shipped out on loan account to J.H. Dionne, address unavailable, on September 14th, 1928. Then it went to Murta Appleton and Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and then on to Von Lengerke and Antoine in Chicago Illinois, on August 30th, 1930. It was subsequently purchased by Von Legerke and Antoine on February 25, 1931. It was then inscribed on the front grip strap "PRESENTED TO / FRANK CRAVENS / 1930" and was subsequently cased in the leatherbound case. The inside of the case is another presentation to him. It reads "TO OUR ABLE GUIDE AND ESTEEMED HOST / FRANK CRAVENS / DEPUTY SHERIFF OF CADDO PARISH SHREVEPORT, LA. / FIRST CONVENTION OF THE MERCHANT MINUTE MEN OF AMERICA / OCTOBER 21ST TO 23RD, 1930 / FROM / THE FIVE MINUTE MEN OF THE CRAWFORD / BUSINESS MEN'S LEAGUE / OF CHICAGO / JOHN G. ZELEZNY - CHARLES VETTER - WM. G. SHANE / O. G. DAVIS THOMAS CERMAK". The case has a green interior and comes with a cleaning rod and a box of ammunition. Scroll and foliate engraving. It has a checkered trigger and backstrap. Ivory grips with silver Colt medallions at the top of each grip. it comes with a plethora of research documents. CONDITION: Gun retains virtually all of the factory-applied blue finish, with some slight high edge wear. Bright and shiny bore with sharp lands and grooves. Grips fit the gun and have no chips or cracks. Leather case shows home wear and staining.
Paperwork
Factory Letter and Information