October 25, 2023 The Paul Friedrich Collection of Firearms & Gold Rush
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/25/2023
Manufactured 1929 and shipped to Phil B. Bekeart Co, San Francisco, California, with blue finish, pearl grips, and type A engraving. Hand-cut engraving is excellently executed running vine scroll with extremely fine crosshatch shading, and well-cut floral vignettes with the same fine crosshatch shading. While the factory letter does not list an engraver, this work compares extremely favorably to the work of Wilbur A. Glahn; see. pgs. 413 and 416 of Colt Engraving by Wilson for a pair of 1908s engraved in near-identical styles. Glahn came from a long line of engravers, including several firearms engravers and one who had worked for Colt, Jacob Glahn in 1879; his work was extremely well respected, and among his highlights are a pair of .45 Automatics for Douglas MacArthur, the Obergon Thompson, and other engraved presentations to celebrities. Case colored small parts with thumb safety and grip safety lightly engraved. Pearl grips with vibrant fire and Colt silver medallions with single screw through escutcheon. Right side of frame has a pantographed "ERIN" which was done post-factory, probably by a jeweler, as it is extremely well cut. With the original Colt hangtag with .25 ACP chambering information. Housed in a Colt leatherette presentation case with a wine-colored interior French fitted for the gun. Engraved 1908 pistols are extremely scare, only approximately 375 according to "The Book of Colt Firearms" by Wilson, and the number of those left as fine as this gun are extremely scarce; this cataloguer is aware of only one other example. PROVENANCE: Mike McHugh; Brad Witherell; William Drollinger; exhibited as part of "Colt: Legacy of a Legend" at Buffalo Bill Historical Center; photographed as part of "Colt and It's Collectors" pg. 211. CONDITION: Extremely fine, showing only the most minor of marks picked up over a nearly 100 year life span. Deep rich blue with extremely minor handling marks, most offensive a scattering of marks (approx. 3mm) on right side of muzzle. Grips are excellent, whole, with magnificent fire. Bore is excellent. Case is fine with some minor age related distress, mostly some peeling to bottom edge. Interior with some distress to hinge. A truly exceptional example.
Paperwork
Factory Letter, Information