December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/11/2024
According to the Colt factory archive letter, this gun left the factory as a .38/c with a 3 - 1/2" barrel. Finish was nickel with a gold cylinder, grips were ivory and yes it is factory engraved. It was shipped to Wm. Plumson address unavailable on April 15, 1889 in a shipment of 1 gun. It has a scroll and foliate engraving pattern with a punch dot background. There are other geometric designs incorporated into the engraving pattern. Factory checkered ivory grips fit the gun superbly. Niter blue small parts. Two line address on top of the barrel, "COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A." There is an etched panel on the left side of the barrel, "COLT D.A. .38". Three line patent dates on the front left side of the frame. 38 CAL on the left rear trigger bow. Matching serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard and back strap. Last three digits of the serial number are on the back of the cylinder. The number 440 is on the loading gate. The gun works in both single and double action. It has a monogram that has been added to the lower part of the backstrap, "WM. THOMSON / APRIL 17, 1889". It comes in an original Colt pink picture box. CONDITION: This gun retains the vast majority of the original factory applied nickel finish. There is a spot of discoloration on the left side of the barrel. The gold washed cylinder has most of the gold inside of the flutes. It has a mixed brown patina with gold wash on the remainder of the cylinder. The niter blue small parts retain most of the blue finish. The grips are in wonderful condition. Fair bore with well defined lands and grooves. The box is in good shape. The label shows some wear and staining.