This is both a unique and rare Bohlin embellished/cased Pre-war Colt Single Action Army revolver with Colt factory letter and Bohlin catalogue. The letter describes the revolver features as: "Caliber: .45/C, Barrel Length: 7 1/2", and "Finish: Blue'. The type of stocks are not listed. The letter states that this revolver was shipped to Tufts-Lyon Arms Co, in Los Angeles, California, on June 4, 1931. The revolver has the Colt commercial blue finish on the barrel, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap. The frame, hammer and loading gate are casehardened. The revolver has two piece ivory stocks. The back strap and cylinder are custom decorated with silver inlays. A silver inlay on the butt is inscribed: "S. DANBY" (corresponds to D.B initial on case lid) and a silver inlay with scroll engraving and delicate zig-zag patterns runs the length of the back strap. The cylinder has a silver border inlaid around the flutes and silver triangles inlaid between each cylinder stop and the back of the cylinder. The edges of the trigger guard have an inlaid silver border and there is a silver rectangle inlaid on the grip strap. The revolver has the late oval ejector rod head, cylinder pin with knurled end and hammer with borderless knurling on the spur. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.". "COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .45" is roll-stamped on the left side of the barrel. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt "two-line, three-date" patent marking followed by the Rampant Colt .The assembly number "421" is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. A Colt "L" assembler's mark and the Colt; "VP" triangle proof are stamped on the left front trigger guard bow. The full serial number, "353474" is located on the bottom of the frame and on the left side of the trigger guard and back strap underneath the grips. The partial serial number "74" is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder. The revolver is complete with a hand tooled russet leather case made by Edward H. Bohlin of Hollywood, California. The case is carved with the hand carved initials "S.D." in a shield surrounded by hand carved floral designs. The case has a form fitted black velvet lining and contains a forty-one round bullet block with silver top. Included with the revolver is a 1930 Bolin catalogue. Page 116 of the catalogue pictures a similar case for a Colt Single action with a listed price of $40.00 (an immense sum in the depression). Edward H. Bolin was a legendary Hollywood saddle-maker who was famous for his hand tooled silver mounted saddles and tack. Bolin's saddles, holsters and other leather work are considered the finest and most sought after of all makers!
The revolver is excellent and retains at least 97% of the original blue and color casehardened finish. The barrel has some very minor edge wear at the muzzle and one tiny and almost unnoticeable spot of pitting on the left side of the barrel below the front sight blade. The frame, hammer, trigger and loading gate have strong case colors. All of the markings are crisp. The engraving on the back strap inlay and inscription are sharp. The grips show an attractive age patina with appropriate age lines in the butt. The action functions perfectly. The case is excellent. The russet leather exterior shows little wear. There is some minor scuffing on the bottom and edges of the case. The case lining is excellent. Wear is limited to one tiny hole from contact with the front sight blade. This is an excellent example of a pre-war Colt Single Action Army with well-executed custom engraved Bohlin silver inlays in an elaborate and very desirable Edward H. Bolin hand-tooled case.
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