I have a 1872 SAA colt 45 #11808 with extensive engraving on it. I am trying to find who the engraver was and possible value of the pistol. Any info will be appreciated! Have sent separate email with attached photos.(re: Tim Ballmer)

tim ballmer
8/13/2007 12:21:48 AM

Hi Tim .. I do a lot of colt engraving if at all possible I may be able to help you but a better person it Bob Evens , bob is the guilds historian . but no body can help you with out photos , so I would suggest that you post some good quality photos of different angles of the colt and be able to see the style of the engraving .. ron p.

Ron Nott
8/13/2007 9:03:13 AM

One photo:

Tim Ballmer
8/13/2007 2:49:10 PM

Another Photo:

Tim Ballmer
8/13/2007 2:49:44 PM

I'm no expert but it might be a fellow named Weldon Bledsoe from Ft. Worth, Texas. I know he did a lot of cattle brand guns. Though we share the same first name, there is no relation!


Weldon

Weldon Lister
8/13/2007 7:45:40 PM

This colt was bought in Lancaster, Ohio in the early 1950's and it does have the supposedly Barnone mark under the barrel/an oblong circle with a line running east/west across it/ that could mean Cole Aggie? Any thoughts? Thanks, Tim

tim ballmer
8/13/2007 8:35:14 PM

Cole Agee was another thought. You may be right!

Weldon Lister
8/13/2007 11:33:21 PM

I agree with Weldon.
Looks a lot like Cole Agee's work.

John Barraclough
8/14/2007 2:31:40 PM

Tim....I believe John and Weldon are right..Your colt was done by Cole Agee...it was manufactured in 1874 according to the serial #...which maybe the key to you finding out who engraved it. A Colt dealer at the gunshow had a Cole Agee engraved Colt in his showcase it was priced at $2,500. As Ron said you might want to get in touch with Bob Evans...Also here is a friend of mine in Conn., an antique gun dealer..very knowledgeable man..Joseph Hajec..860-379-5503..PO Box 661..Winsted, CN 06098..Hope this will be of some help.

Yours truly,
JJ Roberts
Manassas, VA

J.J Roberts
8/15/2007 8:49:54 AM

THERE IS 3 COLT S.A.A. in Prudhomes book pg 38, Agee, and on page 96, 1 by Le
on White and one in the back pg 136 but the engraver is not named
Hope this helps.
Bob

Bob Bullard
8/15/2007 11:45:18 PM

The late Bill Powell of Fort Worth advised me the circle with the line through it was a definate Agee mark. Bill said while thought by many to be an actual brand, the mark signified that a half barrel of whiskey had been consumed in the engraving endeavor. Bill had at least two of the single actions with the mark in the place you have described. Grandbury engraver David Harris was a student of Weldon Bledsoe and can easily identify the work of both Mr. Bledsoe and Mr. Agee.

Hank Pope
8/16/2007 11:46:40 AM

Just another little bit of interest and background.
Cole Agee was a gunsmith student at Trinidad College, Colorado in his younger days.
I expect that is where his interest in engraving got it's start.



John Barraclough
8/17/2007 1:27:11 PM