FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The recently published book Steel Canvas by R. L. Wilson features a fascinating and authoritative discussion of arms engraving along with beautiful photographs of some of the finest firearms ever made. Earlier works by the same author include Winchester Engraving, Colt Engraving, and Nimschke’s pattern book published as L.D. Nimschke, Firearms Engraver. Firearms Engraving as Decorative Art by Frederic Harris provides an interesting discussion of the origins of engraving motif’s in oriental art along with a theory about identifying individual engravers by a detailed study of their cutting style.
COLT COLLECTOR’S ASSOCIATION, INC. 2006 “SHOW GUN”
As an example of the quality of engraving on specialty Colt firearms available to and desired by avid collectors, the Colt Collector’s Association, Inc. offered the following revolver as the “Show Gun” during its annual three day show in Louisville, Kentucky in October, 2006. This gun is the highest example of gun engraving and decoration today and the gun is so designed for display only. It will never be fired and the action will, in all likelihood, never be worked and this will prevent any scarring of the internal mechanisms.
The following description was prepared for the CCA Internet site by 2006 CCA Louisville Show Gun Project Manager Earl L. Whitney and can be found through the CCA Internet site at www.coltcollectorsassoc.com/index.htm. The Show Gun Committee was composed of Project Manager Earl L. Whitney, Project Manager; David Grunberg, Technical Advisor; Michael W. Dubber, Artistic Engraver Coordinator; Joe Canali, Firearm Coordinator; and Dr. Tom Covault, Firearm Coordinator.
THE SHOW GUN
The 2006 CCA Louisville Show Gun was designed after the .22 RF Flattop Target Model of the 1888 to 1895 period. Less than 925 Flattop Target Models were built by Colt during that period and less than 92 in the .22 RF caliber. According to historical research this is the only Colt Flattop Target Model made with an 8.5 inch barrel.
• Colt Single Action Army
• Flattop Target Model
• .22 RF caliber
• 8.5 inch barrel
• Deluxe Exhibition Grade engraving by Michael W. Dubber
• Colt oxide black finish
• Carved ivory one piece grips: The left side has a thoroughbred racing horse with the Kentucky Derby winner’s garland of roses. The right side shows the profiles of Kentucky native sons Daniel Boone and James Bowie.
• Serial number #CCA2006 engraved on a 24k gold inlaid plate.
• Signed under barrel “M. W. Dubber Engr.” this firearm is also signed on the back of the cylinder. All gun parts are marked with MWD.
• Museum Exhibition Grade case: Mission style finish English oak roll top desk with one drawer, full top beveled glass viewing area and French fit red velvet cloth.
• Master engraved Exhibition Grade argentium silver die cut description plate for the display case having the Kentucky theme.
• Six custom made .22 RF blank gold plated cartridges by Michael W. Dubber.
• Engraver’s leather journal showing construction of the CCA Show Gun with photos, compact disk, master plates showing patterns, drawings, prototype laser art on ivory pieces and other items used in the production of this firearm.
• Five piece accessory set, ivory handles with lased art “Serpentine Colt” logo, oxide black and gold plate finish, 24k gold inlaid and scroll engraved oil bottle. The ferrules on the accessories are scroll engraved and gold plated.
• A three quarter scale ivory handle Bowie Knife with oxide black raindrop Damascus blade, 24k raised inlay feather pattern design on the guard and the bolster.
• Lased art ivory handles showing Serpentine “COLT” on the right panel and “CCA—LOUISVILLE—2006” banner on the left panel.
• Ivory plaque carving of the Colt factory dome
ENGRAVING DESCRIPTION
The 2006 Louisville Show Gun is a “Colt Single Action Army Flattop Target Model” with serial number #CCA2006. The gun is Exhibition Grade embellished by Colt Master Engraver Michael W. Dubber with 100 percent coverage in American style scroll engraving: 24k gold lines and vignettes, 24k gold and pure platinum raised and flush inlays with period Kentucky state and historical themes.
• Custom Exhibition Grade engraved in the American Scroll pattern
• 24k gold Kentucky state map on the flattop panel. Raised inlay with single star for the state capital at Frankfort.
• 24k gold fifteen stars flush inlaid on flattop represent Kentucky becoming the 15th state in the Union in 1792.
• 24k gold “CCA LOUISVILLE 2006” banner raised inlay on left side of barrel
• 24k gold “CCA2006” serial number engraved on a flush gold inlaid plate
• 24k gold and platinum “MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME” (the Kentucky state song) with an artistic musical scale and images flush inlaid in gold and platinum on the right side of the barrel.
• 24k gold “The Blue Grass State” in 24k gold flush letters on back strap
• 24k gold Fort Knox in raised image with flush inlaid 24k gold letters “Ft. Knox” on back strap
• 24k gold and platinum northern cardinal, the Kentucky state bird, is inlaid in 24k raised gold with platinum branch on the trigger guard
• 24k gold trigger guard inlaid in flush 24k gold borders and vignettes
• 24k gold ejector housing with highly decorative filigree vignette ejector rod operating piece is lightly engraved in a geometric pattern
• 24k gold back strap and butt strap outlined in decorative flush borders and tracery
• 24k gold front sight fitted with a solid gold adjustable insert, front site is flush engraved and inlaid in gold vignette
• 24k gold rear sight is inlaid with 24k gold aiming notch
• 24k gold horseshoe in raised 24k gold inlay on the muzzle end of the barrel
• 24k gold Colt patent address flush letters with gold border and tracery
• 24k gold .22 RF in flush gold inlay gold banner
• 24k muzzle end flush inlaid wide and narrow bands with gold and platinum tracery flowing forward
• 24k gold bands, one wide and one narrow, flush inlaid on the receiver end barrel
• 24k gold frame trimmed in flush gold borders and vignettes. Vignettes have raised 24k gold dots on the ends.
• 24k gold hammer, gold sides and top are flush inlaid in decorative gold borders and vignettes
• 24k gold Kentucky Derby rose, the official flower of the Kentucky Derby, raised inlay on right side of frame in front of the cylinder
• 24k gold and platinum Churchill Downs spire, raised inlaid on left side of the frame in front of the cylinder, the official trademark of Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky