Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout us
Log InCreate Account
Rock Island Auction CompanyRock Island Auction Company
Contact us
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
Locations
Bedford, TX
3600 Harwood RoadBedford, Texas 76021, USA
Rock Island, IL
7819 42nd Street WestRock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
Hours
Monday - Friday8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Navigation
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout usAccount
More Info
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyJob postings & CareersOrder a catalogContact
Social media
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
Disconnected
Unable to connect to live update server, attempting reconnection. If this persists, please try refreshing your browser.
Disconnected state indicated by at top of page. If you cannot see this icon, you are connected.
Rock Island Auction Company
Hello.
Please Log In, or .

Home
Auctions
Consignment
Latest
FAQ
About us

  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 214

Lot 214:Engraved Gold & Nickel Plated .44 RF Colt Single Action Army

August 25th, 2023|Rock Island, IL
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 214

Lot 214:Engraved Gold & Nickel Plated .44 RF Colt Single Action Army

August 25th, 2023|Rock Island, IL
Price Realized:
Login to viewLogin to view
Price obfuscated
Estimated Price$35,000 - $55,000
Log In to use Wishlists
Share

Extremely Rare New York Engraved, Nickel Plated, and Gold Trimmed .44 Henry Rimfire Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Pearl Grips and Factory Letter

The .44 rimfire series was introduced in 1875, and, per "The Official Records of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver, 1873-1895," they were serial numbered in their own range from 1 to 1897. The total production number amounted to 1,904 revolvers due to some of these revolvers being numbered within the regular centerfire serial number range, likely accidentally. Factory records for 224 of these revolvers are missing, and they may have been scrapped or not completed. Some were also converted to .22 rimfire. Schuyler, Hartley & Graham (Hartley & Graham) purchased 621 of these revolvers, the largest number of any dealer by far. Surviving .44 Henry Single Action Army revolvers are very scarce, and examples with both retailer engraving and considerable finish remaining are nearly unheard of. These revolvers would have made excellent sidearms for men armed with the popular Henry and Winchester Model 1866 lever action rifles much like the "Frontier Six Shooter" Colt Single Action Army revolvers in .44-40 were often paired with the Winchester Model 1873s. The factory letter lists this revolver in .44 rimfire with a 7 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, and wood grips when it was part of a shipment of five guns of this type on January 21, 1880, to legendary dealers Hartley & Graham of New York City. Famous 19th century firearms engraver L.D. Nimschke engraved many revolvers for the firm. The revolver has extensive scroll engraving with beaded backgrounds, wavy line designs and borders, "Nimschke stars" on the sides of the frame by the arbor pin and on the trigger guard, checker board and dot designs on the trigger guard shoulders, and floral/fan designs on the sides of the back strap at the top. The engraving has definite similarities with the Nimschke engraved Colt from c. 1876 shown on page xxxix of "L.D. Nimschke: Firearms Engraver" by Wilson. The top of the barrel has the one-line "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." address. Small "44" caliber marking on the bottom of the barrel. The left side of the frame has the three-line pattern marking in an oval panel. The left side of the trigger guard has the "44 CAL" marking. Matching serial numbers are visible on the frame, trigger guard, and butt. The loading gate has assembly number "127." The hammer has the distinctive rimfire firing pin, and the frame has the corresponding firing pin slit rather than the round hole seen on the centerfire revolvers. It is fitted with a pair of pearl grips with the matching serial number marked on the insides.

ConditionVery fine as New York engraved and nickel and gold plated with crisp engraving and markings, 95% of the period nickel plating remaining on the barrel, nearly all of the period gold plating remaining in the upper and lower grooves of the ejector housing, a copper tone on the exposed backing material along the side of the ejector housing, strong period gold in the flutes and engraving on the cylinder and mostly dark plum color aged patina on the backing material on the cylinder, 75% plus period nickel plating remaining on the frame and grip straps, strong niter blue finish remaining on the screws, and some minor oxidation and pitting. The grips are chipped but are otherwise fine and have attractive natural iridescent colors. Mechanically excellent. This is a very scarce revolver. Original .44 Henry rimfire Colt Single Action Army revolvers are very scarce, and engraved examples are very, very hard to find.
Details
ManufacturerColt
ModelSingle Action Army
TypeRevolver
Serial number
ClassAntique
Caliber / Gauge44 Henry RF
Barrel7 1/2 inch round
Finishnickel/gold
Grippearl

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views1518
Catalog page186
Find MoreRelated Items
Lot 3232Cased Factory Engraved Colt Single Action Army Revolver
View Lot
Lot 3184New York Engraved Colt Bisley Model Single Action Army Revolver
View Lot
Lot 163New York Engraved Colt Frontier Six Shooter Model 1878 Revolver
View Lot
Lot 144Nickel Plated Antique Colt Single Action Army Revolver
View Lot
Show More