Helfricht, at the colt factory in hartford, connecticut. At the height of the firearm engraving fad, helfricht oversaw a shop of six engravers. The shipping book gives no indication of engraving. My 1860 army colt civilian model revolver is another of my treasured firearms. Colt automatic pistols and revolvers gold inlaid and gold. It covers colt engraving from the prepaterson period through the shop of cuno a.
Wilson, in his definitive work the colt engraving book, volume one and two, provides insight into the significant expansion some would say the creation of the colt custom shop in the year 1976, and perhaps the reason we see so many factory engraved pieces from this production era, 1976 1981. Superbly executed cuno helfricht style engraving with fireblue screw appointments. This is a classic style scroll engraving design by jerry. Helfricht was one of the finest engravers of the 19th century and worked for colt, as did his father, who was a stock maker for many decades. Mar 23, 2001 it covers colt engraving from the prepaterson period through the shop of cuno a. His work advanced the designs forged by young, and along with his own variations and patterns, he remained in charge of colts engraving department for a remarkable 50 years. Custom engraved colt single action army revolver by. Last four digits of the serial number are stamped on bottom of the bbl, under the ejector rod housing. Limited edition of 3,000 signed and numbered copies. It retains about 25 percent of its original blue finish, traces of color case hardening, and onepiece ivory stocks that appear to be original. This is a beautifully engraved colt with the highly desired 4 34 barrel. Well let me tell you, bernie wolfe did a magnificent job on this arm. He had several pairs of guns from the 20s and 30s that were sent in for engraving in his collection. This colt has never been fired and comes with factory box, sleeve and paperwork.
Helfricht, the son of colt stock maker and engraver charles j. Perhaps the most unique aspect of engraving on this pistol is that when the work was performed, no predefined styles of engraving existed for the model n. Matching serial number on frame, trigger guard and. During his tenure with colt, helfricht saw the transition from percussion to cartridge firearms and a rapidly growing market for engraved firearms. Barrel, cylinder, frame and backstrap retain 9798% postengraving nickel finish. Illustrated with detailed photos, this is the first truly useful guide to identifying colt engraving. Over 225 richly detailed illustrations, nearly all in color. Oct 21, 2016 the possibilities for creating the same level of fine engraving used on colt revolvers since the mid 19 th century is almost endless, as the pattern books of legendary colt engravers such as gustave young and cuno a. The first colt single action army revolvers were manufactured in. It was the practice of the engraving shop to have the master, helfricht, and as many underling apprentices as work load dictated. Houze the real stories of the colt factory engravers, this book gives us a surprising look at who really engraved all of those beautiful historical colts. Colt single action army wikimili, the best wikipedia reader.
Colt employed a number of engravers, many of whom were trained artisans who emigrated from europe. Wear is consistent with this engraving having been done a long time ago, and you can see where the nonfactory nickel finish is missing in spots. The barrel retains perhaps 75% original blue, the balance faded to a very pleasing smooth pewter. And yes, of course i understand that helfricht is one of colts legendary engravers, often in consideration right up there with nimschke whose style became that of the. Someone pasted the dj flaps inside the front and rear cover of the book. This is the original cuno helfricht interpretation. Illustrated in both full color and black and white. The grips have a checkering design on each side with a scroll design at the bottom and top of the grips with a colt standing on its hind legs.
The colt single action army also known as the single action army, saa, model p, peacemaker, m1873, and colt. This 8inchbarreled handgun is a late production model, manufactured around 1871. The engraving on these revolvers matches the time period in which they were made. Helfricht was master firearm engraver for colts patent fire arms manufacturing company. The engraving, inlay and monogrammed grip safety were masterfully performed by colt engraver, cuno helfricht. Both of these revolvers were manufactured in 1906 and feature beautiful cuno helfricht scrollwork on the barrel, frame and cylinder flats. Master engraved steve kamyk in scroll and vine motif in the tradition and style of cuno helfricht, wa magnificent flying eagle scene on right recoil shield. The colt single action army also known as the model p, peacemaker, m1873, single action army, saa, and colt 45 is a single action revolver with a revolving cylinder holding six metallic cartridges. Buy online, view images and see past prices for extremely fine cuno helfricht factory engraved colt single action army revolver with carved mexican eagle pearl grips of pioneer texas family invaluable is the worlds largest marketplace for art, antiques, and collectibles. That said, if one opens up the colt engraving books vol 1 by rl wilson to page 405 you will find very similar looking engraving done by the cuno helfricht shop. Colt engraved about one percent of its first generation production of the single action army revolver, which makes these engraved models extremely rare and valuable with collectors. Cuno helfricht spent his nearly 50 year career exclusively with the colt firm 18711921.
A fine and rare colt model 1883 gatling gun complete with u. When he began working at colts in 1869, he was all of 20 years old, following in his fathers footsteps as a contract engraver. The possibilities for creating the same level of fine engraving used on colt revolvers since the mid 19 th century is almost endless, as the pattern books of legendary colt engravers such as gustave young and cuno a. Buy online, view images and see past prices for extremely fine cuno helfricht factory engraved colt single action. The engraving, inlay and carved grips were performed by colt master engraver, cuno helfricht. This lovely bisley revolver is extremely rare in the fact that it is surmised by experts in the field to be the only blackpowder bisley revolver to be engraved. Commemorating the 140th anniversary of the colt peacemaker. The traditional engraving patterns dating back to colt s 19th century masters have survived more than 180 years, with many of the most desirable created by richard henshaw principal engraver for colt from 1835 to 1842, gustave young and his successor, cuno a. Britt on the strap, steer head ivory, shipment of 1 to h. Wilson, the colt engraving book, volume i, chapter 10, page 416. The coverage of engraving amounts to what would be considered d coverage. Percussion revolvers, for example, feature what is known as the new york or louis daniel nimschke style of engraving from the 1850s, while the cimarron model p revolvers are decorated in the later style of colts engraver cuno helfricht. Several similarly engraved open top colts are depicted on pages 270272 in the classic reference book colt engraving by r. Nimschke, and cuno helfricht are very highly sought.
Many of these engraved pieces were adorned with stocks made of ivory. Helfricht, the son of colt stockmaker and engraver charles j. Colt factory engravers of the nineteenth century, understanding their careers and identifying their work by herbert g. A rare cuno helfricht engraved gold and silverplated colt single action army revolver serial no. Spectacular documented factory cuno helfricht shop deluxe engraved black powder colt etched panel frontier six shooter single action. Rifles are engraved in the correct period style, such as helfricht or nimschke. It was silver plated, extensively engraved by colts chief engraver, cuno helfricht, and was fitted with ivory grips carved with the intertwined initials gsp. Shipped as a factory engraved example with blued finish, 434. It has been said that the engraved markings and scrolls are by colts chief master engraver, cuno helfricht. The scrollstyle engraving was done by jerome harper. The sixgun is also silver plated with heatblued frame screwsa feature i have long admired on the oldtime colts.
Thats the list of 10 most expensive firearms sold in september 2017 rock island premiere firearms auction. More work began coming the way of the helfricht shop following gustave youngs departure from hartford. Factory records show that about 25 new police and about 6 new police target revolvers were factory engraved. Wilson, the colt engraving book, volume i, chapter 10, page 416, where this revolver is pictured in color, with detailed description, identifying the work as by cuno a. May 23, 2015 factory engraved colts by gustave young, l. The engraving is nearly full coverage and is distinctively the work of cuno helfricht or his shop. Frame has full coverage fantastic cuno helfricht engraving, probably by the. Airguns of the american west part 4 airgun experience. Wilson and are attributed to coltas main engraver from 18711921,cuno a. Oct 10, 2016 the traditional engraving patterns dating back to colts 19th century masters have survived more than 180 years, with many of the most desirable created by richard henshaw principal engraver for colt from 1835 to 1842, gustave young and his successor, cuno a. There are more helfricht engraved colts today than any other.
This engraved pocket revolver is more ornate than many in that it has engraving on the frame, back strap, cylinder and both barrel. He was the head of colts engraving shop from 1871 to 1921. A lovely revolver, appearing to be the work of cuno helfricht himself, but clearly from his shop. Sep 22, 2016 specializing in the gustave young, cuno a. It is elegantly decorated in the manner of cuno helfricht, a renown colt engraver of the late 19th century. Fine cuno helfricht shop engraved colt single action revolver, circa 1917. Kornbrath and louis daniel nimschke, were known for inlaying gold, silver, and precious stones in their work.
The initials tf appear on the underside of the frame. Perhaps the most unique aspect of engraving on this pistol is that when the work was performed, no predefined styles of engraving existed for the model m. Helfricht style engraver whose shop did contract work for colt from 1891 to 1921. This pistol was a product of the cuno helfricht shop with the grip monogram attributable to cuno helfricht. Helfricht, and famed new york city engraver louis daniel nimschke, offer a treasure trove of designs that can be recreated not only in steel but now in aluminum. Extremely rare cuno helfricht engraved colt single action. The grips are prebanned elephant ivory and the engraving by jerome harper. One of only about a dozen prewar gold inlaid single actions, 1 of 12 featured in significant colt single action calendar, 2008. Beautiful pair of colt revolver engraved by cuno helfricht description. Beautiful 1884 black powder colt subsequently upgraded with signed engravers initials bgl. The colt single action army, also known as the single action army, saa, model p, peacemaker and m1873, is a singleaction revolver with a revolving cylinder holding six metallic cartridges. Custom engraved colt single action army revolver by jerome. Documented factory helfricht shop engraved colt saa revolver.
Often referred to as the black powder frame, the distinguishing characteristic of early peacemakers was the use of a cylinder arbor retaining screw threaded into the bottom front of the frame, which when tightened into a groove in the cylinder pin securing it in place. Colt automatic pistols and revolvers gold inlaid and gold plated. A engraving is the least coverage, running up to d grade full coverage. Colt factory engraving ohio gun collectors association. New limited edition nimschke engraved colt peacemaker. Albuquerque nm first generation colt saa with carved ivory stocks. Glahn up through the colt engravers of the year 2000.
See more ideas about revolver, hand guns and firearms. A factory engraved colt single action army revolver. The traditional engraving patterns dating back to colts 19th century masters have survived more than 180 years, with many of the most desirable created by richard henshaw principal engraver for colt from 1835 to 1842, gustave young and his successor, cuno a. Within a few years cuno helfricht would rise to the position of chief engraver, a position he would hold at. Beautifully engraved markings model 1883 no 457 cal. The trigger guard and butt have a zigzag line and dot designs. The engraving is very good quality and is done in mainly in the cuno a. A fine and rare colt model 1883 gatling gun complete with. Superbly executed cuno helfricht style engraving with fireblue screw appointments superbly executed cuno helfricht style engraving with fireblue screw appointments. Barrel, cylinder, frame and backstrap retain 9798% post engraving nickel finish. Percussion revolvers are embellished in the new york or nimschke style of their era, while the metallic cartridge sixguns, like the cattleman single actions, known as the cimarron model p, are decorated in the later style of famed engraver cuno helfricht. Some foxing to page edges, a couple small scuffs to cover, light wear at edges. This work was performed by colt master engraver cuno helfrict, who also did. Helfricht, and louis daniel nimschke engraving styles, the latter is used on this new limited edition.
Extensive factory scroll and rockerengraved coverage. Colt factory engravers of the 19th century by houze. Mar 18, 20 percussion revolvers are embellished in the new york or nimschke style of their era, while the metallic cartridge sixguns, like the cattleman single actions, known as the cimarron model p, are decorated in the later style of famed engraver cuno helfricht. Sep 28, 2018 heres another example of colt factory engraving i dont think will need much introduction as its signed and engraved by the legendary george spring. Oct 21, 2014 the grips have a checkering design on each side with a scroll design at the bottom and top of the grips with a colt standing on its hind legs. Dec 04, 2019 beautifully engraved markings model 1883 no 457 cal. His work advanced the designs forged by young, and along with his own variations and patterns, he remained in charge of colt s engraving department for a remarkable 50 years. The scrollwork on these revolvers is the most recognizable pattern to helfricht s work. The above cased presentation set containing an engraved no. Engraving factory engraved saa by cuno helfricht, shipped 1893 to e. Factory cuno helfricht engraved texasshipped colt single. There are more helfrichtengraved colts today than any other. It has been said that the engraved markings and scrolls are by colt s chief master engraver, cuno helfricht.
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