1887

Spectacular Exhibition Quality Engraved Documented Alvin A. White Signed Gold and Silver Inlaid Colt

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:7,500.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
Spectacular Exhibition Quality Engraved Documented Alvin A. White Signed Gold and Silver Inlaid Colt
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Spectacular Exhibition Quality Engraved Documented Alvin A. White Signed Gold and Silver Inlaid Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Carved Ivory Grips Intended for Presentation to Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev

This exquisite masterpiece was embellished and relief gold inlaid by renowned Master Engraver Alvin A. White. The Colt factory letter confirms the caliber and barrel length with the stocks not listed and the finish as blue when originally sold to Jackson Arms of Dallas, Texas, and shipped to Alvin A. White as part of a two gun shipment on January 26, 1959. Alvin White's recessed silver cartouche ("A A WHITE/ENG.") appears on the right side of the front strap under the grip. The revolver features 65-70% coverage of White's distinctive deep intertwined foliate arabesque patterns as featured on the barrel, cylinder, ejector rod, hammer and grip straps. Gold wire inlaid borders adorn the frame, recoil shield, loading gate and hammer. A deep relief gold inlaid onion dome building resembling Saint Basil's Cathedral located on Red Square in Moscow is featured on the left recoil shield. A second deep relief gold inlaid onion dome Russian building is featured on top of the back strap and surrounded by a silver wire border. Down the length of the back strap is a gold wire scroll pattern incorporated in the foliate engraving and the butt has a silver wire border of onion dome shape which extends to the heel of the back strap. The trigger guard also has the gold wire inlaid scroll pattern incorporated in the foliate engraving and the Colt factory VP triangle proof and the letter "P" are stamped on the left side and the number "5" is stamped on the right side. Silver and gold wire inlaid scrollwork extends to the barrel which also has a silver band and onion shaped wire patterns at the muzzle. The same band and onion pattern is repeated on the breech of the barrel but the onion pattern is inlaid in gold. The ejector housing mimics the barrel with the same type of engraving and gold and silver wire inlay. The left side of the barrel has the one line model/caliber marking with the one line address marking on top. The left side of the frame has the two line, three patent date marking followed by a Rampant Colt. As stated, the cylinder is engraved including the flutes. A silver band is featured on the rear of the cylinder and a gold wire inlaid border with onion dome shapes following the lands and flutes. The revolver is fitted with two piece ivory grips. The right grip panel has a relief carved horse head and the inside of the panel has the last two digits of the serial number ("11") in pencil. The grip straps and cylinder are numbered to the gun. The revolver was once part of the Romaine Fielding Collection. Fielding was President of Romaine Fielding & Associates, Inc., an export company that did business in the Soviet Union. The revolver was originally part of a pair intended for presentation to Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev by Fielding in the 1960s. Fielding was never allowed to present the revolvers to the Soviet Premier. Khrushchev's personal security objected to the gift believing that the revolvers were booby-trapped or contained listening devices. The revolvers remained in the United States and later entered the collector's market. Along with the Colt factory letter are several copies of letters and newspaper articles regarding Fielding including letters from Vice President Richard Nixon and Senator J.W. Fulbright.

Manufucture: Colt
Model: Single Action
BBL: 7 1/2 inch round
Stock:
Guage: 38 special
Finish: blue/gold inlaid
Grips: ivory
Serial Number: 23311SA

Near mint as embellished by renowned Master Engraver Alvin A. White. The revolver retains nearly all of the blue finish with only the slightest loss at the muzzle and a spot of light pitting on the left forward side of frame. There is a noticeable drag line on the cylinder. The grips are also near mint with an attractive color and grain pattern. A true work of art created by one of the most famous Master Engravers that would be the centerpiece to even the most advanced Colt Single Action Army Revolver collection!