Summer 2026 Premier Firearms & Militaria Auction
August 6th, 7th, 8th, & 9th, 2026
This auction will feature an outstanding collection of items spanning multiple categories including Modern, Military, Sporting, & Antique firearms & militaria! Below is just a small grouping of select highlights from the massive offering to be featured in this upcoming sale!
SUPERLATIVE DOCUMENTED HELFRICHT DELUXE FACTORY ENGRAVED FIRST GEN SAA REVOLVER; SINGLE GUN SHIPMENT TO R. C. NICKERSON, LIEUTENANT U.S. NAVY
26-286 | Cal. 45 Colt. | S#331903.
Accompanying factory letter shows this revolver in a single gun shipment to St Paul Minnesota for ” R.C. Nickerson”. Internet research notes one Lieutenant Roland Crosby Nickerson of St Paul, MN who served in the US Navy and held command of ships off the Atlantic coast before tragically falling victim to the Spanish flu in 1918. Bbl. 5 1/2″ with blade front sight. Cuno Helfricht (1851-1921) was the Colt firearms chief engraver from 1876 until 1921. He is considered by many including this consultant to be the greatest engraver in the history of Colt firearms. Helfrict’s ability to blend engraving styles in a seamless manner is absolutely unparalleled with this revolver being a perfect testament to that fact. Revolver features 75% “B” coverage engraving. Bbl engraved with foliate scroll over punch dot background with ” 45 COLT ” in banner on left side. One line bbl address framed in wavy borders. Top forward portion of frame at left and right engraved with a checker board pattern having zigzag borders at top and bottom plus underlying straight line and punch dots on left side. A dainty flower is engraved on both sides of frame flutes. Top of frame sighting groove surrounded by feather pattern having straight line border. Boss fore ejector housing at right side engraved with relief starburst. Sides of frame engraved with foliate scroll over punch dot background. Cylinder, between flutes, show striking blend of foliate scroll and sunburst engraving pierced at a 30 degree angle by straight and wavy lines. Rear of cylinder engraved with double straight lines behind serpentine punch dot accent. Engraving also appears on trigger guard frame, trigger guard bow, butt and backstrap. Case hardened frame and hammer, remaining metal parts blued. As noted in “A STUDY OF THE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY” by Graham, Kopec & Moore, their survey of factory engraved revolver found a total of 307 that could be authenticated, using this sampling, it is estimated that the total production of factory engraved SAAs to be approx 3,000. Of the surveyed sampling, nickel plated SAA’s consisted of 80% of the total, blued & case hardened finish comprised only 10%… Revolver stocked with 2 pc smooth white natural grips having rampant Colt medallions. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Colt Factory Letter stating the following: ” Serial Number: 331903 / Caliber: .45/c / Barrel Length: 5 1/2″ / Finish: Blue / Type of Stocks: / Factory Engraved: Yes Grade 2 / Shipped To: Farwell, Ozmun Kirk Co. / Address: St. Paul, Minnesota For: R.C. Nickerson / Date of Shipment: November 11,1915 / Number of Same Type Guns in Shipment: 1 “. STATUS: CURIO.
