Lot 3111

Glahn Factory Engraved Gold Plated Colt Single Action Army

Previous image preload Next image preload

Glahn Factory Engraved Gold Plated Colt Single Action Army

Estimate: $16,000 - $27,500

Starting Bid: $14,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 23, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Attractive Wilbur Glahn Factory Engraved Gold Plated Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver with Carved Steer Head Ivory Grips, Extra Matching Numbered .45 ACP Cylinder, and Factory Letter Offered is an attractive gold plated factory engraved Colt Single Action Army revolver chambered in .45 Long Colt wearing a set of factory ivory grips with silver Rampant Colt medallions and a relief carved steer head on the right and accompanied by an extra matching numbered factory engraved gold plated .45 ACP chambered cylinder. The included factory letter states this revolver was the sole gun of its type in a shipment on February 19, 1932, to Abercrombie & Fitch Company in New York City, confirming it as factory engraved in .45 caliber with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, gold finish, and ivory grips with carved steer head motif under factory order #10959/1. This revolver was previously listed as once owned by Bob Mandel, antique arms chief for Abercrombie & Fitch, who obtained it c. 1960s from a retiring chief executive. It was reportedly used as an Abercrombie & Fitch display gun. Over 357,000 Single Action Army revolvers were manufactured prior to World War II, and it is arguably the most iconic handgun in history. Using the most liberal statistics, only 2,500 pre-war Colt Single Action Army revolvers were factory engraved, making them rarer to encounter today. The revolver features masterfully executed factory engraving by Wilbur Glahn who was responsible for most of the engraving at Colt c. 1919-1950. The revolver features Glahn's distinctive high quality floral pattern factory engraving on beaded backgrounds covering approximately 75% of the surfaces including the barrel, ejector rod housing, frame, both cylinders, loading gate, trigger guard, and rear grip strap. For reference, other examples of Wilbur Glahn's engraving can be seen in chapter twelve of "The Colt Engraving Book: Volume Two" by R.L. Wilson. The top of the barrel is marked with the one-line Colt Hartford address in an engraved panel and "COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .45" is on the left in a coordinating panel. Two-line patent date markings and a Rampant Colt are surrounded by engraving on the left of the frame. A "4" is marked above a triangle "VP" proof on the left side of the trigger guard. Factory return star marks are on the right of the trigger guard and front of both of the included cylinders, and matching factory return assembly number "588G" is marked on the front of both cylinders, the concealed area of the barrel, ejector rod housing, loading gate, and left side of the grip straps. The matching visible full serial number "354738" is marked on the frame and right side of the grip straps, matching partial "738" is marked on the rear of both of the cylinders, unnumbered grips, and assembly number "3209" is marked on the loading gate and rear of the frame.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: Single Action Army

BBL: 5 1/2 inch round

Gauge: 45 Long Colt

Finish: gold

Grips: relief carved ivory

Serial Number354738

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Provenance: The Bob Mandel Collection; The Mike Lowther Collection; The Charles Marx Collection
  • Condition: Very fine as factory refurbished and retains 98% plus bright gold plating, with a few spots of minor speckling, and very sharp engraving overall. The grips are also very fine, with attractive patina, a few small age lines on the butt of the right grip, and a crisp detailed carved steer head. Mechanically functions although the mainspring is weak. A beautiful Wilbur Glahn factory engraved gold plated Colt Single Action Army revolver that would make a fine addition to any fine Colt collection!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Rock Island Auction will contact you shortly after the auction has completed. We will arrange for shipping and or pickup.

Rock Island Auction Company

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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