6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
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Nov 1, 2017 - Nov 3, 2017
.36 caliber, 5.5" barrel, rebated and fluted cylinder, S/N 49012. Blue and case hardened finish, gilt backstrap and triggerguard. Carved Ivory grips. This pistol is beautifully engraved by Alvin White in the deluxe feature in the Colts during the period of 1850-1870, Nice banknote scrolls interwinding throughout the frame and barrel and cylinder. Signed on the right inside of the triggerguard "AAW". Original cardboard box and walnut case with glass top.
Included with this lot is a factory letter addressed to Walt Moreau, dated March 3, 1994 from R.L. Wilson. The letter reads as follows:
Dear Walt,
This will attest to the history of Colt Model 1862 Police Revolver,Serial No. 49012, recently shipped to you. The revolver is one of two 'in the white" which i was able to acquire from the last batch of percussion arms sold by the Colt Firearms Division, c. 1985. Third Model Dragoons from that arms group were primarily made into the L.D. Nimschke Special Issue Revolver (as pictured on page 28 of the Christie's benefit auction for The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Arms and Armour Department, 8 October 1985).
Two of the Model 1862 Police revolvers from the last percussion Colts were embellished in the pattern of L.D. Nimschke's as depicted on page 33 of the writer's book, L.D. NIMSCHKE FIREAMS ENGRAVER. An antique Colt Model 1862 Police revolver with the same scroll style is pictured in that book in plates V and VI. The arabesque scroll was a particular design of Nimschke, one of the most accomplished and versatile of arms engravers in America in the second half of the nineteenth century.
Alvin White was involved in this project as the engraver, and the maker of the one-piece ivory grips, one panel carved in relief with an American eagle motif. The backstrap was inscribed: "Walt Moreau March 2nd 1993."
Alvin White is the most famous and versatile of all 20th century arms engravers. His work has been featured in more books and publications than any engraver in American history. Several of the author's own writings have been documented in Alvin White's work. Among these volumes are: THE BOOK OF COLT ENGRAVING, THE BOOK OF WINCHESTER ENGRAVING, COLT ENGRAVING, WINCHESTER ENGRAVING, COLT AN AMERICAN LEGEND, WINCHESTER AN AMERICAN LEGEND and the forthcoming Random House Work: STEEL CANVAS: THE ART OF AMERICAN ARMS. The WINCHESTER ENGRAVING book was dedicated to Alvin White, in a special tribute to his brilliance, and to his unique influence on generations of engravers of firearms.
One of the most comprehensive articles on Alvin White appeared in Man at Arms magazine (September/October and November/December 1980): "A.A. White/Price of Craftsmen," by the present writer. The two-part presentation presentation totalled sixteen pages, with numerous illustrations, many in full color.
The bluing and case hardening, as well as the gold plating on the gripstraps, is the work of master craftsman Daniel Cullity (a protege of Alvin White).
Commissioning of this decorated model 1862 Colt Police was by yourself, through this writer, whose American Master Engravers, Inc., has served as a subcontracting engraving source for such firms as Colt's, Winchester (U.S. Repeating Arms Co.), and the U.S. Historical Society, for over 20 years.
In exclusive arrangement with yourself, we will continue to supply your revolvers of the Model 1862, in Nimschke style patterns, for your clientelle.
In appreciation of the opportunity to create these special Colt Firearms.
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