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Cole Agee Signed Cattle Brand Engraved Gold and Silver Plated Colt Single Action Army Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
Cole Agee Signed Cattle Brand Engraved Gold and Silver Plated Colt Single Action Army Revolver
This is a nice example of a custom engraved Colt Single Action Army revolver that was manufactured in 1906 and subsequently custom engraved and embellished by the famous Master Engraver Cole Agee. The revolver is nearly completely covered with cattle brand engraving and the brands are well executed in the typical western style with the recognizable "101", "XIT", "TUT", "4J" and many other famous Texas brands with a stippled background. The only surfaces not covered are the upper portion of the front strap, the inside area of the trigger guard, the cylinder flutes and the hammer (the latter Agee never engraved when doing the cattle brand engraving). The top of the ejector housing has a floral pattern. The lower left front of the barrel is engraved with Cole Agee's signature symbol directly ahead of the Bar None brand. The top of the barrel is marked with the one address, "32 W.C.F." on the left side and the two line, three patent dates are marked on the left side of the frame followed by the circled Rampant Colt. The matching serial number appears on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and the backstrap. The ejector housing, cylinder, hammer, frame screws and trigger are gold, while the remaining parts are silver plated. The revolver is fitted with a one piece ivory grip with a steer head on the left side. The revolver is accompanied by a copy of the 1936 published book "A Century of Texas Cattle Brands" of which it's believed Agee got the inspiration for the cattle brand engraving. As a result of Agee's connection to Mexico, President Miguel Aleman asked Cole to use his imagination in creating him a one-of-a-kind engraved Colt Single Action Army revolver. Some believe that his wife, Maria, suggested Texas cattle brands and gave him a copy of the book. The revolver also comes with a copy of a letter dated 3-2-06 from Jink Howard, an authority on Agee cattle brand guns, which states that "it is my personal opinion that this is indeed a "Cole Agee" Firearm." The revolver is complete in a walnut case with fitted dark green lining and a six round bullet block in the upper right and lower left hand corners. It is estimated that Cole Agee only did 15 to 20 of these Texas cattle brand guns, making this a very rare piece.
BBL: 7 1/2 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 32 WCF
Finish: silver/gold
Grips: ivory
Serial Number: 274770
Condition: Very fine as custom embellished. The revolver retains most of the silver and most of the gold finishes. Some of the gold finish is worn off of the top of the ejector housing and much of the gold finish has taken on a dark, aged brass tint. Some of the silver is beginning to darken a bit with age giving the revolver an attractive appearance. The grips are excellent with a few hairline age cracks and taking on an attractive aged patina. The markings are clear. The engraving is crisp. The action is excellent. A very nice Texas cattle brand revolver done by Cole Agee, the pioneer and master of the cattle brand engraving. This is a rare opportunity to own a genuine example of the most desirable of all 20th century Old West engravers!