INCREDIBLE FACTORY ENGRAVED GOLD & SILVER COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER THAT WAS PART OF THE 1876 COLT EXHIBIT AT THE PHILADELPHIA WORLD’S FAIR.

SN 11089. Cal. .45 Colt. Silver & gold finish with 7-1/2″ bbl, full front sight and 1-line script address. Left side of frame has the 2-line September 19, 1871 and July 2, 1872 patent dates. Mounted with smooth, 1-pc certifiable antique ivory grip. The first type ejector rod housing has a bull’s eye ejector rod head and is gold-plated including the spring. Cylinder, hammer, trigger guard & backstrap are gold washed over silver plating with the bbl & frame strong bright silver. Screws & base pin are fire blued. Revolver is spectacularly engraved, probably by Herman Ulrich, with about 80% coverage intertwined foliate arabesque patterns on the frame which extend over the top strap onto the bbl around the address and around the front sight with a fine scalloped border around the muzzle. Hammer, backstrap, buttstrap & trigger bow are engraved to match and all of this engraving is without shading or background. Cylinder is engraved in matching patterns on lands between flutes with a partial, very fine pearled background. The area behind five of the flutes are engraved in delicate flower blossoms with the other flute having the last four digits of matching SN enclosed in a stylized ring. Front edges of the cyl and around the flutes are engraved in a single line border with a triple line border around the rear edge enclosing an incredibly fine circle & dot border. The area of the cyl forward of the rear borders has very fine reeded engraving. Hammer spur has a large oval panel with hand-cut checkering and sides of hammer are engraved with matching foliate arabesque patterns. That this revolver was part of the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Expo (World’s Fair), is indisputable, although no records exist to positively establish this. The renowned Colt historian, researcher & author R.L. Wilson has studied this revolver & one or two others which were positively identified as having been displayed in 1876 by Colt on their huge “wheel” of firearms and has identified many of the revolvers in that display as being identically engraved like this one. The likelihood is that this revolver was sold directly from the display as the close of the Expo and no record exists. This cataloger has also carefully studied and examined two of the Colt Single Action revolvers that were positively identified as having been on the 1876 “wheel” display and has reached the conclusion that there is no doubt whatsoever that this revolver was engraved by the same hand as those other two. It is documented that Colt loaned the Henry Folsom & Co. a large number of arms from the Expo display after the Expo closed. While examining & describing another of the Expo single actions, this cataloger was able to also examine a 2-page invoice from the Henry Folsom Co., dated St. Louis October 15, 1877, returning a long list of these revolvers including SN 11086 which is only three numbers away from this revolver. #11086 is described on the invoice as “Colt Army 45 Cal Ivory Nickel Eng Gold”. With that information, the identical engraving & plating leaves little doubt that this Colt was also on the display. Accompanied by a fine brown leather covered, green velvet-lined Arno Werner casing that is French fitted in the bottom for the revolver. Case has removable, fitted lid that is gold embossed with very decorative border and inscribed in the center “PHILADELPHIA CENTENNIAL / 1876 / COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER / NO. 11089”. Also accompanied by an 11-page letter from Mr. Wilson wherein he extols the quality of this revolver and relates its history as he knows it. This revolver appears in full color on pgs. 172-177 & 178 of Colt Pistols, Wilson & Hable; several times in Mr. Wilson’s Colt engraving books, the original and Volume I; in color on pgs. 174, 181 & 305 The Colt Heritage, Wilson; again in Colt An American Legend, Wilson; and on p. 28 Buffalo Bill’s Wild West An American Legend, Wilson & Martin. Also accompanying is a framed, poster size, copy of a photograph of the Colt “wheel” display at the 1876 Expo which includes the 18 engraved & ivory-gripped Colt single actions in the center, one of which is undoubtedly this revolver. Additionally accompanying is an orig book, Leslie’s Historical Register of the Centennial Exposition 1876, Frank Leslie; Colt’s Pistols, Wilson & Hable, Deluxe slip cover edition; the book Souvenir of the Centennial, Curtis; the book Centennial Exposition, Ingram (leather bound); Industrial and Fine Arts Illustrated, Sandhurst et al (with flyleaf titled “The Great Centennial Exposition”); 1876 Centennial small picture booklet; an orig James Creamer stereoview of the interior of the exhibit hall showing the United States booth, showing back side of Colt’s display; and one orig admission ticket to the 1876 Philadelphia Expo. This revolver won “MOST OUTSTANDING WEAPON” as a 1-gun display at the 1981 Texas Gun Collectors Spring Show. The display incorporated a large framed photo of the 1876 Colt’s Exhibit Case as a back drop. This is perhaps the last opportunity anyone will have to purchase a genuine 1876 Centennial Expo Single Action revolver in this lifetime, and this is one of the best. Special Note: This item contains or is made of ivory. Do not bid on this lot unless you have read and agreed to our “Ivory Position Statement” and the “Waiver of Legal and Financial Risk to James D. Julia in regards to your Purchase of an Ivory Object”. This information is located in our catalog on pages 30 and 31. PROVENANCE: Dr.Gianfranco Spellman Collection. CONDITION: Extremely fine+. Overall retains about 99%+ orig silver finish on bbl & frame. Ejector housing retains about 65-70% orig gold wash with the loss areas showing silver. Cyl retains virtually all of its strong orig gold wash with only faint sharp edge wear. Hammer also retains virtually all of its orig gold wash. Trigger guard & backstrap retain thin gold wash in sheltered areas being mostly silver. Screws are all completely intact & appear to be unturned showing virtually all of their bright fire blue. No disassembly was affected to check for matching numbers as there is no doubt of the authenticity of this revolver. Case is extremely fine+ showing no flaws. Books are generally fine with one or two showing loose spines, yellowed pages & light soil. The Colt Pistols book in its slip case is extremely fine. The Leslie’s book is fine, showing only light wear & moderately yellowed pages. Small articles are also very good to fine, small picture booklet has a slightly loose spine. 4-54040 JR267 (175,000-225,000) – Lot 1267

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Auction: Firearms - March 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1267	$333,500.00	INCREDIBLE FACTORY ENGRAVED GOLD & SILVER COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER THAT WAS PART OF THE 1876 COLT EXHIBIT AT THE PHILADELPHIA WORLD’S FAIR. SN 11089. Cal. .45 Colt. Silver & gold finish with 7-1/2″ bbl, full front sight and 1-line script address. Left side of frame has the 2-line September 19, 1871 and July 2, 1872 patent dates. Mounted with smooth, 1-pc certifiable antique ivory grip. The first type ejector rod housing has a bull’s eye ejector rod head and is gold-plated including the spring. Cylinder, hammer, trigger guard & backstrap are gold washed over silver plating with the bbl & frame strong bright silver. Screws & base pin are fire blued. Revolver is spectacularly engraved, probably by Herman Ulrich, with about 80% coverage intertwined foliate arabesque patterns on the frame which extend over the top strap onto the bbl around the address and around the front sight with a fine scalloped border around the muzzle. Hammer, backstrap, buttstrap & trigger bow are engraved to match and all of this engraving is without shading or background. Cylinder is engraved in matching patterns on lands between flutes with a partial, very fine pearled background. The area behind five of the flutes are engraved in delicate flower blossoms with the other flute having the last four digits of matching SN enclosed in a stylized ring. Front edges of the cyl and around the flutes are engraved in a single line border with a triple line border around the rear edge enclosing an incredibly fine circle & dot border. The area of the cyl forward of the rear borders has very fine reeded engraving. Hammer spur has a large oval panel with hand-cut checkering and sides of hammer are engraved with matching foliate arabesque patterns. That this revolver was part of the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Expo (World’s Fair), is indisputable, although no records exist to positively establish this. The renowned Colt historian, researcher & author R.L. Wilson has studied this revolver & one or two others which were positively identified as having been displayed in 1876 by Colt on their huge “wheel” of firearms and has identified many of the revolvers in that display as being identically engraved like this one. The likelihood is that this revolver was sold directly from the display as the close of the Expo and no record exists. This cataloger has also carefully studied and examined two of the Colt Single Action revolvers that were positively identified as having been on the 1876 “wheel” display and has reached the conclusion that there is no doubt whatsoever that this revolver was engraved by the same hand as those other two. It is documented that Colt loaned the Henry Folsom & Co. a large number of arms from the Expo display after the Expo closed. While examining & describing another of the Expo single actions, this cataloger was able to also examine a 2-page invoice from the Henry Folsom Co., dated St. Louis October 15, 1877, returning a long list of these revolvers including SN 11086 which is only three numbers away from this revolver. #11086 is described on the invoice as “Colt Army 45 Cal Ivory Nickel Eng Gold”. With that information, the identical engraving & plating leaves little doubt that this Colt was also on the display. Accompanied by a fine brown leather covered, green velvet-lined Arno Werner casing that is French fitted in the bottom for the revolver. Case has removable, fitted lid that is gold embossed with very decorative border and inscribed in the center “PHILADELPHIA CENTENNIAL / 1876 / COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER / NO. 11089”. Also accompanied by an 11-page letter from Mr. Wilson wherein he extols the quality of this revolver and relates its history as he knows it. This revolver appears in full color on pgs. 172-177 & 178 of Colt Pistols, Wilson & Hable; several times in Mr. Wilson’s Colt engraving books, the original and Volume I; in color on pgs. 174, 181 & 305 The Colt Heritage, Wilson; again in Colt An American Legend, Wilson; and on p. 28 Buffalo Bill’s Wild West An American Legend, Wilson & Martin. Also accompanying is a framed, poster size, copy of a photograph of the Colt “wheel” display at the 1876 Expo which includes the 18 engraved & ivory-gripped Colt single actions in the center, one of which is undoubtedly this revolver. Additionally accompanying is an orig book, Leslie’s Historical Register of the Centennial Exposition 1876, Frank Leslie; Colt’s Pistols, Wilson & Hable, Deluxe slip cover edition; the book Souvenir of the Centennial, Curtis; the book Centennial Exposition, Ingram (leather bound); Industrial and Fine Arts Illustrated, Sandhurst et al (with flyleaf titled “The Great Centennial Exposition”); 1876 Centennial small picture booklet; an orig James Creamer stereoview of the interior of the exhibit hall showing the United States booth, showing back side of Colt’s display; and one orig admission ticket to the 1876 Philadelphia Expo. This revolver won “MOST OUTSTANDING WEAPON” as a 1-gun display at the 1981 Texas Gun Collectors Spring Show. The display incorporated a large framed photo of the 1876 Colt’s Exhibit Case as a back drop. This is perhaps the last opportunity anyone will have to purchase a genuine 1876 Centennial Expo Single Action revolver in this lifetime, and this is one of the best. Special Note: This item contains or is made of ivory. Do not bid on this lot unless you have read and agreed to our “Ivory Position Statement” and the “Waiver of Legal and Financial Risk to James D. Julia in regards to your Purchase of an Ivory Object”. This information is located in our catalog on pages 30 and 31. PROVENANCE: Dr.Gianfranco Spellman Collection. CONDITION: Extremely fine+. Overall retains about 99%+ orig silver finish on bbl & frame. Ejector housing retains about 65-70% orig gold wash with the loss areas showing silver. Cyl retains virtually all of its strong orig gold wash with only faint sharp edge wear. Hammer also retains virtually all of its orig gold wash. Trigger guard & backstrap retain thin gold wash in sheltered areas being mostly silver. Screws are all completely intact & appear to be unturned showing virtually all of their bright fire blue. No disassembly was affected to check for matching numbers as there is no doubt of the authenticity of this revolver. Case is extremely fine+ showing no flaws. Books are generally fine with one or two showing loose spines, yellowed pages & light soil. The Colt Pistols book in its slip case is extremely fine. The Leslie’s book is fine, showing only light wear & moderately yellowed pages. Small articles are also very good to fine, small picture booklet has a slightly loose spine. 4-54040 JR267 (175,000-225,000) – Lot 1267 \| Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - March 2015 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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INCREDIBLE FACTORY ENGRAVED GOLD & SILVER COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER THAT WAS PART OF THE 1876 COLT EXHIBIT AT THE PHILADELPHIA WORLD’S FAIR.