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Wonderful Howard Dove Engraved & Gold Inlaid Colt New Service Double Action Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:7,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Wonderful Howard Dove Engraved & Gold Inlaid Colt New Service Double Action Revolver
serial #316527, 357 Magnum, 6'' barrel with a bright excellent bore showing one tiny spot of mild oxidation and otherwise crisp rifling throughout. This 1922-made revolver has been masterfully embellished by the well respected Howard Dove, who was a Colt factory master engraver from about 1978 to 1985 before setting up his own business doing work for the custom shops of both Colt and Winchester. This revolver features about 75% coverage of excellent quality detailed flowing foliate scrollwork and fine punch-dot shading that remains clean and crisp throughout. This is further accented by some very tasteful delicate gold line inlays at muzzle and barrel shank, edges of the cylinder flutes, above the grips and along the sides of the topstrap which terminate to a curlicue entangled with foliate scrollwork. The metal surfaces retain about 99% excellent quality polished blue showing one tiny scuff mark on the backstrap that normally would not be worth the mention. The sides of the hammer are polished bright and the lanyard ring hole has been neatly plugged. The serial number on the frame appears to have been restamped post-refinishing with the crane matching in original factory font. The remaining original factory markings remain intact and strong, the caliber marking inlaid in gold and the Rampant Colt flanked by scroll while the left side of the grip frame beneath the panel is signed ''HMD''. The revolver wears a very fine set of smooth ivory grips that remain in excellent condition showing a nice medium patina, prominent grain and some honest crackling along the bases. The left panel is further enhanced with a beautiful scrimshawed Federal Eagle. This is an exceptional and very tasteful New Service revolver for the discerning collector, sadly Mr. Dove left the world of firearms artistry too soon, passing away in 1994 at the age of 52. (13E11759-32) {C&R} (10,000/15,000)