September 10-12, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/10/2024
The factory letter states that this revolver was shipped on February 7, 1903 as a .38 Colt with a 4 - 1/2" barrel, blue finish, and unlisted stocks, to the Florodora Tag Company, Kansas City, Missouri, Continental Tobacco Company, New York in a shipment of 50 guns. These guns were purchased by Continental Tobacco Company and offered as as a redeemable reward upon redemption of 1500 tobacco coupons. At that time, most tobacco came in a twist pouch, open with no packaging. Once the original packages were sold from the store display, the shopkeeper would refill using lower quality tobacco. To ensure you were buying the real deal, the tobacco companies began using a metal tag as a seal of authenticity, offering rewards in exchange for the tags collected. They printed a catalog of available options and from about 1901 through 1903, you could redeem the tags for a brand new Colt Lightning, like this one. As listed, it is high polish blue with a case color frame. The back and top of hammer is fire peacock blue as are the trigger and screws. The standard two piece gutta percha Colt grips are not numbered. Matching numbers on frame, trigger guard, and backstrap. Left side of barrel is stamped "COLT D.A. 38". The barrel has two line Colt address. Left side of frame has three line patent dates with Colt pony in circle. CONDITION. Excellent. This firearm retains nearly all the brilliant case colors with a bit of fading on loading gate and shield. The barrel and housing show just a hint of muzzle wear. All legends are sharp as new. Cylinder shows a hint of wear at the bevels, light high edge flute wear and light handling. Bright blue back strap with some light thinning with patina. The trigger guard and front strap exhibit some edge wear, light thinning, and a few age freckles. Brilliant blue on hammer with some thinning on face of trigger. Screws are true with the majority of thier fire blue intact. Grips are crisp. Action works both single and double action. Bore is bright. Apparently, this tobacco smoker died before he got much use from his new six gun.