Factory Engraved and Gold Inlaid Colt New Service Revolver

Very Rare Factory Engraved and Gold Inlaid Colt New Service Double Action Revolver in .44-40 WCF with Carved Ivory Steer Head Grips and Factory Letter The included factory letter lists this revolver in .44-40 with a 7 1/2 inch barrel and blue finish, factory engraving and gold inlays, and ivory stocks with carved steer head motif. It was one of two revolvers of this type in a shipment to Alfredo Gottling in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on September 9, 1925, in order 8435. Gottling's shop, “La Portena," catered to the elite in Argentina and thus was a key retailer of some of the most extravagant Colt revolvers and other fine arms, receiving a large portion of the known factory engraved and gold inlaid Colt revolvers of the period. Factory gold inlaid and engraved Colt New Service revolvers in particular are extremely rare. On page 364 of "The Book of Colt Firearms," R. L. Wilson stated fewer than 75 New Service Revolvers were engraved and fewer than a combined 15 New Service and Shooting Master revolvers were gold inlaid, typically as inscriptions. This revolver is factory engraved in an "A" coverage (approximately 25%) with an elaborate gold arabesque inlay on each side of the frame. The engraving consist of floral scroll patterns intermixed with some geometric highlights associated with Master Engraver Wilbur Glahn (Colt engraver, c. 1919-1950). The top of the barrel has the two-line Colt factory address and patent dates, and the left side is marked "NEW SERVICE 44-40". The revolver has a factory installed and lettered set of carved ivory grips that depict a raised steer head on the right side and have the initials "L.S.A" in fancy script incised on the left. Both sides have the Colt silver medallions at the top. The frame is numbered "323827", and the matching number on the back side of the cylinder crane. The cylinder has matching engraving and wear patterns. The butt is fitted with a lanyard loop.

Condition

Very fine overall with 60% plus of the original blue finish remaining overall, blue loss on both sides of the barrel, and some browning on the cylinder and rear back strap. The grips are very fine overall with a nice tight fit on the frame, a wonderful mellow patina, and very minor circular age lines on the undersides. The steer head carving retains great detail. The factory gold inlays on each side of the frame are all complete. Mechanically excellent.