October 25, 2023 The Paul Friedrich Collection of Firearms & Gold Rush
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/25/2023
Shipped September 25th, 1911, to Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Company, Chicago, Illinois, for M.G.O. Coud & Son, with blue finish, factory engraving, and ivory stocks engraved "L.M. Coud, Hull, Iowa". Standard later configuration of the 1903 without the barrel bushing and V-cut slide serrations. Factory engraved in approximately 60-75% coverage of thin ropey vines on a fine punch dot background, with an accenting panel of well-cut crosshatching on either side of dust cover with fine shading to resemble shells. Trigger guard engraved with florals and punch dots en suite. Front strap with scroll and punch dots accented by running wrigglework and playful dots. Backstrap with a blank ribbon accented by scroll and punch dot work. Slide is decorated on left side with smaller panels of scroll and punch dots with accenting running geometrics about legends, while right has a return to the vine-and-punchdot work. Comparing the engraving to other known examples in "Colt Engraving" by Wilson, the work certainly originated in Cuno Helfricht's shop and was possibly cut by Cuno himself. Ivory grips, with Colt's deep-set golden medallions, appear to be the originals, with the engraving heavily worn, and what appears to be the remnants of that engraving on the left scale. Housed in one of Colt's purple boxes with a correct 1903 end label, penciled on bottom 108021. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining virtually all of the factory bluing with some minor handling marks throughout. Some silvering to muzzle and dust cover consistent with holster wear, probably L.M. Coud. Superficial scratches throughout that do not pierce the blueing. Engraving is well-cut and crisp. Ivory grips are very good with good color, a small repair to right scale, and a few minor grain separations. Bore is very good with some mild frosting towards muzzle. Box with some peeling and age-related distress to corners but complete. A wonderful 1903 with fantastic engraving.
Caliber/Bore
.32 Rimless Smokeless
Paperwork
Factory Letter, Information