Page 134 - Auction84-Book2

LOT 1273
Highly Desirable, Mexico Shipped, Nickel Plated Black Powder Colt Etched Panel Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 128249, 44-40 WCF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel
finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1889, this is a much sought after example of an acid etched panel black powder
and fully factory nickel plated Colt Single Action Army revolver in 44-40 WCF. The left side of the barrel has the acid etched “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” panel. This highly desirable etched barrel panel was officially replaced by the Colt factory in the 120,000 serial number range with the much easier to produce and larger roll-stamping. The top of the barrel has the stamped one-line Hartford address, the left side of the frame has the stamped three-line patent dates marking, and the underside of the barrel has the correct small “44” marking. The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The loading
gate is marked with the assembly number “4” and it is fitted with a pair of original eagle pattern hard rubber grips. The accompanying factory letter confirms the 7 1/2 inch barrel in 44-40 caliber, nickel plating and hard rubber grips. The factory letter also states the revolver was shipped to A. Combaluzier of Mexico City, Mexico on January 24, 1889. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% plus of the untouched original nickel finish with the balance a smooth grey patina with a few scattered patches of light pitting and some frosting. The etched panel is excellent. The grips are
excellent with minimal handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 9,500 - 14,000
LOT 1274
Historic, Highly Desirable,
Documented Navajo
Live Stock & Trading Co., New Mexico,
Ordered Nickel Finish Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Carved Steer Head Pearl Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no. 336009, 32 WCF cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. The accompanying factory letter confirms
the 4 3/4 inch barrel in .32-20 caliber, nickel plating and pearl stocks with carved steer head
motif. The factory letter also states the revolver was sold to Navajo Livestock & Trading Co. (address unavailable) and shipped to Charles Ilfeld Co. (address unavailable but dealer locations in Albuquerque and Las Vegas, New Mexico) on May 17, 1917. The Charles Ilfeld Company ran a large chain of wholesale stores in New Mexico. The Navajo Live Stock and Trading Co. was a successful livestock and trading post opened by influential Navajo political leader Chief Henry Chee Dodge (b. 1857 or 1860 and d. 1947), often known as Chee Dodge or
“Mister Interpreter” (Hastlin Adilts’a’ii) along with his partner Stephen Aldrich on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico. Chee Dodge was one of the most influential Navajo leaders of the late 19th and early 20th century as a U.S. government appointed head chief of the Navajo and the first chairman of the Navajo Nation tribal council. His linguistic abilities helped him bridge the gap between the Navajo and the U.S. government, and he is credited with help
guiding the Navajo Nation back to a path of self-determination and cooperation with the federal government. We have the pleasure of offering in this auction Colt SAA no. 304456 that is attributed as once belonging to Chief Henry Chee Dodge. We also know that SAA no. 334118 is in matching configuration, including the nickel plating, 4 3/4 inch barrel in .32-20 caliber and factory steer head carved pearl stocks, to this revolver as well as also sold to Navajo Live Stock & Trading Co. and shipped to Charles Ilfeld Co. of Albuquerque. This “sister revolver” was shipped in March 1917, just a few months before this SAA. It has been suggested that these factory steer head pearl stocked nickel plated .32-20 caliber SAAs were received by leading Navajo Live Stock & Trading Co. officials. The barrel has the two-line Hartford address on top and “32 WCF” on the left side. The frame has the two-line patent dates followed by a Rampant Colt. The left side of the trigger guard has the Colt factory “VP” triangle proof and the number “1.” Matching serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The Rampant Colt medallion pearl grips feature the highly desirable factory documented relief carved steer head on the right panel. As Colt historian and author R.L. Wilson noted, only “a few” SAAs had factory hand carved steer head motif grips. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 97% period factory quality nickel plating with a series of surface markings on the butt. The grips are very fine with a repaired chip near the bottom (right panel), a few minor handling marks, and crisp carving. Mechanically excellent. An attractive, highly desirable, historic Colt SAA wearing scarce factory documented relief carved steer head pearl grips with an interesting link to Navajo history. A must have for the serious Colt or Western collector. Provenance: The Doug Ellison Collection. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
132