May 13-15, 2025 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/13/2025
Per the included factory letter, this revolver shipped as a 6" blue gun with unlisted stocks, B class factory engraving, and a 3# trigger pull to Baker, Hamilton, and Pacific, San Francisco, California, in a shipment of one, on Colt order 11493/1, on July 14th, 1932, as sold to MacFarlane and Company, Watsonville, California. Factory engraved Shooting Masters are extremely scarce, and as few as ten are known. Front sight is an adjustable blade with a red polymer insert, square notch rear sight. Left side of barrel with "COLT SHOOTING MASTER .38" legend with acanthus scrollwork surrounding, and an uninterrupted triangle of acanthus scroll on right; both measure approximately 3 - 1/2". Frame with nicely cut and shaded acanthus scroll en suite, with detailing abutting the hammer slot and on trigger guard. Straps with hand cut checkering. Later mother of pearl grips with a softened "1-22-57" date on interior with fabulous fire. CONDITION: Gun retains the vast majority of the blued finish, with heavy thinning to silver at the muzzle. Frame with some scattered handling marks and silvering to sharp edges. Trigger guard and straps gunmetal grey from use, with flashes of bluing. Mechanically fine, very smooth, bore excellent with strong rifling and light frosting in grooves. An outstandingly rare gun.