^Lot 3284 PERIOD NEW YORK ENGRAVED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY

REVOLVER. Cal. 45 Colt. S# 96800. Bbl. 5 1/2". Single Action Army revolver mfg. by Colt in 1883. Top of the bbl. is marked with Colt's single line address, with Colt's 3-line patent information marked on the left side of the frame. Left side of forward trigger guard web is marked "45 CAL". Revolver exhibits classic L.D. Nimschke style New York engraving of scrollwork patterns, punch dot backgrounds and "Nimschke stars" in B-level coverage, most likely "shipped soft" to a distributor for client engraving orders. The black powder frame with arabesque foliate scroll engraving on punch dot backgrounds over the entirety incl loading gate and recoil shield, a starburst is adjacent the cylinder pin on either side. Top of backstrap with trademark scalloped fan and trailing arabesque flourish. Trigger bow has starburst. Cyl. exhibits matching scrollwork between the flutes and half-stars around the back edge. Scrollwork extends halfway down the sides of the bbl w/ 1" flourishes at the muzzle. Ejector tube having a classic vine pattern running the length. Configuration and engraving of this revolver is virtually identical to several known examples in the 1883 serial range shipped soft to Hartley & Graham ( 88008, 88208, 98601, 98679). Metal components exhibit a nickel plated finish overall, save for on the trigger and frame screws, which were nitre blued. Frame is mounted with a 1-piece smooth ivory grip. Standard SAA pattern blade front sight and frame notched rear sight. All serialized parts are matching and include the frame, trigger guard, and rear grip strap. Cyl. and bbl. are unnumbered. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Colt factory letter dated October 24th, 1985 indicating that the information pertaining to this revolver was lost or destroyed and is unavailable. CONDITION: metal components retain large amounts of their period nickel plated finish, exhibiting large areas of wear and flaking that show through to a dark gray patina, with some light to mild pitting. Nitre blued trigger and frame screws exhibit either a gray patina or retain traces of their nitre blue finish. Bore exhibits consistent light to mild pitting, while retaining good rifling throughout. Proper manual mechanics. Ivory grips have acquired a pleasing yellow patina, showing scattered superficial handling marks, with checking present on the butt. PROVENANCE: The Esteemed Norm Greenberg Collection. (01-27647/MLW). ANTIQUE. $10,000-15,000.