Fine Cased, L.D. Nimschke-Engraved and Gold and Silver-Plated Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver with Checkered Ivory Grips, and with Accessories

Serial no. 67899, .44 caliber percussion, 6-shot cylinder, 8-inch barrel with maker and New-York U.S. America address marking on top; COLTS/PATENT stamped on left side of frame; silver-plated, with gold-plated lever, hammer and cylinder; one piece checkered ivory grips; three-screw frame cut for third style shoulder stock. Distinctively scroll and border engraved by L.D. Nimschke on barrel (note riband each side of lug and trefoil tendrils off some of scrolls), loading lever, cylinder (note trefoil tendrils off some of scrolls), frame, hammer and gripstraps.Varnished mahogany case with purple velvet lining; accessories of silver-plated stand of arms powder flask, blued steel COLTS/PATENT bullet mold, pasteboard cap box, L-shaped screwdriver/nipple wrench, miscellaneous projectiles, two packets of combustible cartridges, and key.

Condition: Fine. 75% silver on barrel; 90% gold on cylinder (no. 006 within Colt's Patent engraved scene cartouche; Nimschke had polished cylinder and engraved over where roll scene had once been located); tracking lines; 95% gold on hammer, 45% on loading lever; 85% silver on rammer; 95% silver on frame; 50% silver on steel backstrap; 95% silver on brass triggerguard strap; grips with mellow patina, light cracking visible at butt; all but one of cylinder safety pins fine. Case fine with light nicks and marks; accessories very good to fine.

Note: See R.L. Wilson, L.D. Nimschke Firearms Engraver, for Model 1860 Army revolvers engraved by this artisan; compare with prints on page 41 which has several features close to 67899; see also, Wilson, The Colt Engraving Book, volume I (chapter 8), as well as earlier Colt engraving texts. Pictured page 181, The Book of Colt Engraving. See page TK of Nimschke book, which has several features close to 67899.

Estimate: $50000 - $70000