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VERY RARE & EXTREMELY FINE PALL MALL CASED

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
VERY RARE & EXTREMELY FINE PALL MALL CASED
ENGRAVED & GOLD COLT 3RD MODEL HIGH HAMMER DERRINGER. Cal. 41. S# E7011. Bbl. 2.5". Even though 11,000 of this 3rd variation 3rd model (serial range 2300-13000) were made, few have elaborate engraving & gold wash as this example. This is a beautiful example of the standard early configuration w/ 2.5” bbl., half-moon front sight, large slanted block letters “COLT”, high hammer, sm. British proofs, & Rosewood grips. Engraved coverage is about 60% (class C). The engraving is in the style of Nimschke w/ foliate arabesque patterns w/ fine pearled background. Bbl. & frame are silver plated & then gold washed. Hammer is case colored & trigger is bright steel. This gun was made 1873-1874. Pictured on page 398 Wilson “The Colt Engraving Book, vol. 1” and page 598 “The Colt Engraving Book, vol. 2”. Doug Eberhart, in his 2011 text on cartridge Colt and predecessor derringers shows another 3rd model 3rd variation, S# E6999 (only 12 S#s away) which is engraved almost identically on page 56. The Eberhart gun like vast majority of Colt derringers is well-worn & no traces of gold or silver frame like is present on E7011. These little pistols were extremely popular as to their power & ease of concealment. Fine gentleman, cowboys, gamblers, & ladies of the night were all known to carry these. Most saw hard use & are rarely found in high condition. The gold wash over silver is so thin, it wore easily. This may be the finest example known or at least ranks among the top few of any early 3rd models, 1st through 4th variations. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Derringer is housed in a fine British oak casing w/ Pall Mall label. Blue velvet lined w/ 2 lidded compartments & fitted slot for steel slotted cleaning rod. 1999 Appraisal document. CONDITION: excellent overall, retains almost all original silver plate & 95% plus gold wash w/ sm. losses on bottom of bbl. w/ sm. patch of pinprick pitting in the vicinity of British proofs. Rosewood grips retain virtually all their original bright varnish w/ very light edge wear on right side where rubbed case. Casing is also quite fine w/ excellent label & velvet lining. (01-18839/JS). ANTIQUE. $8,000-12,000.