Lot 1097

Factory Engraved Colt Single Action Army with Pearl Grips

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Factory Engraved Colt Single Action Army with Pearl Grips

Estimate: $5,500 - $8,500

Starting Bid: $4,750

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Factory Engraved Antique Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Pearl Grips and Factory Letter The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver shipped on March 13, 1883, to Simmons Hardware Company in St. Louis, Missouri, confirming it as factory engraved in .45 caliber, nickel finish, barrel length and type of grips not listed, as one of 10 guns of the same type in the shipment. It is estimated there were only as many as 4,500 total factory engraved First Generation Single Action Army revolvers between 1873-1940, accounting for an extremely small percentage of production based on a total of just over 357,000. The high quality engraving on this revolver displays the characteristics of deluxe patterns associated with Colt Master Engraver Cuno Helfricht and his shop. Helfricht spent his nearly 50 year career exclusively with the Colt firm (1871-1921). During his tenure with Colt, Helfricht saw the transition from percussion to cartridge firearms and a rapidly growing market for engraved firearms. At the height of the firearm engraving fad, Helfricht oversaw a shop of six engravers. By the turn of the century, experts believe that Helfricht did most of the work himself with the help from one to two assistants. Helfricht's successor's included famed Colt engravers Wilbur Glahn and William Gough. The revolver is embellished with wonderful factory engraving consisting of floral scrollwork on beaded backgrounds, with fan motifs on the recoil shield, loading gate, and top of the back strap, and wavy zig-zag line and dot designs. The one-line Colt Hartford address is stamped on top of the barrel, "45 CAL" is on the left of the trigger guard, and the three-line patent dates are on the left of the frame. Matching visible full serial numbers are marked on the frame, trigger guard and butt, matching partial "8182" is on the rear of the cylinder, and assembly number "6537" is on the loading gate. The revolver is wearing a set of period pearl grips.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: Single Action Army

BBL: 7 1/2 inch round

Gauge: 45 Long Colt

Finish: nickel

Grips: pearl

Serial Number88182

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection
  • Condition: Fine as restored, retains 70% nickel finish, with smooth gray patina on the balance, a later replacement engraved to match barrel, repaired cylinder, light pitting, and mostly defined engraving overall. The grips are very good, with a few age lines, chips, and highly attractive lustrous colors. Mechanically excellent. A desirable factory engraved antique Colt Single Action Army revolver!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000