Fine and Important Cuno A. Helfricht Engraved Colt Single Action Revolver, Silver- and Gold-Plated with One-Piece Ivory Grips, with Exhibition Grade Embellishments

Serial no. 56286, .45 caliber, 7 1/2-inch barrel with one-line maker and Hartford address marking on top; 45 CAL on left side of front bow of triggerguard; three-line three patent date marking on left side of frame; silver-plated with gold-plated cylinder, hammer and ejector rod housing; blued screws, cylinder pin, ejector rod head and trigger; one-piece ivory grips. Profusely and finely scroll and border engraved on barrel, ejector rod housing, cylinder, frame and gripstraps; ejector rod housing also with zig-zag lines and punched dot motifs; sunburst motif on top flat of backstrap. Note last four digits of serial number, 6286, on cylinder within riband, in line with one of the flutes. Sold together with extensive correspondence file and Colt factory letter stating revolver left factory with silver finish and gold-finished cylinder, ejector and hammer. Ivory grips. It was shipped on July 5, 1880 in a shipment of one.

Condition: Fine. 85% silver-plating, with tarnish, blemish near muzzle; light wear and spots patina; 75% gold, light wear and patina; 50% blue; engraving sharp; grips very good to fine, rich, mellow patina; minor chipping and wear at butt and cracks visible on butt of grips.

Note: See R.L. Wilson, The Colt Engraving Book, volume I, chapter 10, page 416, where this revolver is pictured in color, with detailed description, identifying the work as by Cuno A. Helfricht himself. Prepared for a client named C.E. Gildea; revolver listed in Colt factory ledgers as follows: engraved, ivory grips, silver-plated, with gold-plated cylinder, ejector, and hammer. .45 caliber, shipped to C.E. Gildea; July 5th 1880; one gun only in shipment. Wilson's The Colt Engraving Book, volume I, page 416, notes: "Considered one of the finest prewar Single Action Army revolvers known."

Estimate: $50000 - $80000