May 7, 2024 The Paul Friedrich Collection of Firearms & Gold Rush
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/7/2024
New Service manufactured by Colt in 1928. The left side of the barrel is stamped "NEW SERVICE" followed by the caliber designation, with Colt's 2-line address across the top. Left side of frame bears the Rampant Colt logo, which is preceded by an intertwined factory gold inlaid "DCA" monogram, which is also present on the right side. Frame features beautiful bordered scroll engraving on a finely stippled background. Rear of frame features foliate motifs on either side of the hammer, with the grip straps being finely checkered. The 7 - 1/2" barrel features scroll engraving on either side at the breech. The barrel is mounted with a factory gold bead front sight, with the adjustable "U" notch rear sight accented by a small star burst engraving to its rear. Metal components are blued, while the frame is mounted with 2-piece Colt silver medallion smooth ivory grips. This example is accompanied by a Colt factory letter indicating the type of stocks as "Not Listed", the aforementioned factory engraving and gold inlaid monogram, Colt Factory Order "#15264/1", as well as that this example was the sole revolver shipped to D.C. Avery of Elmira Arms Company, Elmira, New York on September 19th, 1928. CONDITION: Extremely fine, with metal components retaining nearly all of their original factory blue finish, exhibiting some mild wear on either side of the muzzle, a small spot of wear on the underside of the frame at the rear of the trigger guard, as well as a few superficial marks from handling and storage. Left side of barrel exhibits a few striations that appear to have been from a cleaning. Cylinder bears a dragline and a small concentrated spot of modest surface pitting. Brilliant mirror bore, exhibiting some old grease and retaining sharp, well-defined lands and grooves throughout. Grips exhibit a pleasing mellow patina, with few superficial marks from storage and handling overall. According to "The Book of Colt Firearms" by R.L. Wilson, fewer than 75 New Service revolvers were factory engraved, with fewer than 100 revolvers between the New Service and Shooting Master examples factory inscribed or monogrammed. This is an exceptional example of an extremely scarce factory engraved and monogrammed Colt New Service revolver that the discerning collector would find nearly impossible to upgrade from.
Caliber/Bore
.44 Russian / .44 S&W Special