Lot 1078

Wilbur Glahn Class "C" Factory Engraved Colt Single Action Army

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Wilbur Glahn Class "C" Factory Engraved Colt Single Action Army

Estimate: $45,000 - $65,000

Starting Bid: $40,000

(0 Bids)

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

Stunning Wilbur Glahn Class "C" Factory Engraved Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver with "CET" Initials on a Gold Inlaid Panel Identified as for Texas Sheriff Clyde Thomas, Carved Eagle Pearl Grip, and Factory Letter Factory engraved Colt Single Action Army revolvers are considered to be some of the most desirable of all American firearms. The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver as sold to the Winchester Store at an unlisted address and the sole gun of its type in a shipment on July 19, 1929, to Shapleigh Hardware Company in St. Louis, Missouri, in .45 caliber with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, carved pearl grips, and type of finish not listed, under factory order #16807. 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. A rectangular gold inlaid block panel with raised bright initials "C/E/T" is located on the back of the rear grip strap surrounded by engraving flowing in two directions above and below it. There is no mention of the inlaid panel in the factory letter, and it was undoubtedly added to the revolver during the period by a talented individual. Included notes from Brig Pemberton state the initials are of a Clyde Edward Thomas who was a sheriff of Scurry County, Texas. Clyde Thomas is listed in Texas sheriffs records as elected sheriff of Scurry County on November 3, 1936, and served until January 1, 1939. The Thursday, April 20, 1972, dated Standard-Times newspaper has an obituary for Clyde Thomas (November 1, 1890-April 18, 1972) stating, "Mr. Thomas began his law enforcement career in Dallas in 1917 and was later a guard in the Texas prison system. He served as Scurry County sheriff in 1937-38, then became a Snyder city policeman in 1943. He retired in May 1961." The revolver features masterfully executed factory engraving by Wilbur Glahn who was responsible for most of the engraving at Colt between c. 1919-1950. The revolver features Glahn's distinctive high quality floral pattern factory engraving on beaded backgrounds covering approximately 80% of the surfaces including the barrel, ejector rod housing, frame, cylinder, loading gate, trigger guard, and rear grip strap. Three star motifs are engraved on the ejector rod head. 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. It is wearing a set of attractive unnumbered factory pearl grips with silver Rampant Colt medallions and a relief carved eagle on the right side. 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 "3" is marked above a triangle "VP" proof on the left side of the trigger guard. The matching visible full serial number is marked on the frame and grip straps, matching partial "27" is on the rear of the cylinder, and assembly number "233" is 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: nickel

Grips: relief carved pearl

Serial Number353127

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Provenance: The Jim Voulgaris Collection; The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection
  • Condition: Exceptionally fine, retains 95% plus original nickel finish, some flaking on the base of the hammer, minor surface freckling on top of the front sight, and absolutely crisp engraving overall. The grips are excellent, with highly attractive fiery colors, minor handling marks, and a detailed carved eagle. Mechanically excellent. A truly jaw dropping example of a Colt Single Action Army revolver featuring high quality factory engraving by Wilbur Glahn!

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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