Tiffany grips are very scarce, but the Eagle and the Mexican seal pattern are seen more.
Here is a Richards-Mason conversion of a Navy .38 Cal. Pocket Pistol.
** Originally published in the August 1972 issue of GUNS Magazine. **
MOST collectors will agree that the “Tiffany Colt” models are the most beautiful of all American guns, and in most cases, even European arms. Once a handgun possesses profuse foliate engraving, clone by a precision craftsman such as Nimsche, then provided with ornate pictorial cast grips, very little remains to enhance such beauty.
Because of the rarity, very little has ever been written or published concerning the “Tiffany Colts.” This is probably due to the fact that they are scarce and very costly. Most original and authenticated model carry insurance riders and consequently cannot be studied.
Also, few are available for comparison and seldom is more than one found in a collection: therefore, experience and knowledge is very limited among even long-time dealers. For example, one of the foremost antique arms dealers reported that they have handled only five since 1951 and only two previously over a period of some 31 years of business.
Colt Richards conversion of the 1860 Army model with Tiffany North-South battle scene on grips. Colt Tiffany models are seldom seen in .44 cal. Army conversions.
The engraved Colts with their ornate cast grips, candidly termed, “Tiffany Colts,” derived this terminology from the fact that they were customized by Tiffany and Company, noted silversmith and jewelers of New York City.
The firm was organized in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany and his brother-in-law, John B. Young, commencing business at 259 Broadway, and known as Tiffany and Young, expanding in 1811 to include a third partner, Lewis Ellis, changing the name of the firm to Tiffany, Young and Ellis.
In 1853, Ellis and Young retired and the name was changed to Tiffany and Company. The firm relocated to 550 Broadway, then in 1870 to union Square. In 1905 to 5th Avenue and 37th Street, then in 1940 to 5th Avenue and 57th Street, all in New York City, (the later being the current address).
From 1860 to 1870 Tiffany and Company offered many services, from arms, accouterments, to general outfitter, not to mention their unique special services such as providing ornate presentation pieces.
Early catalogs typify their work by utilizing such word media as: propriety, excellence, balance, magnificence, gorgeousness, precious, artistic, unexcelled, richness, important personages, etc. — all typifying the uniqueness of their classic creations.
The first “Tiffany Colt” accountable was ordered by President Lincoln as a present to the Governor of Adrianople, Turkey, in recognition for his capturing and bringing to justice the bandits who killed Reverend Phillip Merriman and abandoned his family in the desert to starve to death.
The State Department commissioned John Quincy Adams Ward, a famed American sculptor, to design a cast metal grip. Ward designed the ornate grips with the assistance of John William Orr, a noted wood-cut illustrator, who did most of the border design in the grips.
Rear view of the scarce North-South battle scene and the more common, although very rare scene of the Eagle and the Snake
The basic relief on the cast grips typified the “Missionary” pattern. Only about five specimens are known of this design.
The pair of 1861 Police Model Colts presented to the Adrianople Governor were returned to President Roosevelt in 1945 and later interned in the Hyde Park Library.
John Orr is credited with continuing the basic designs for the Tiffany cast grips, along with the aid and technology of Edward C. Moore. Orr’s death in 1887 may indicate the absence of production after this date.
Although the firm, Schuyler, Hartely, and Graham advertised the “Colt Tiffany Models,” such as the following taken from their 1864 catalog, “Style 422, Colt’s New Model, 5 1/2″ engraved bronzed handle, plated and gilt,” there is no evidence that they were engaged in production of such models but merely the agents for the Tiffany creations. Early Tiffany catalogs show prices up to $300.
There were three basic cast grip designs, namely, the Missionary, considered the rarest; the highly detailed battle scene commemorating the War between the States, second rarest; and the Eagle and Snake and seal of Mexico, slightly more in number than the other two.
This is probably due to the fact that this grip was used to promote early sale of conversions in Mexico after the introduction of the Colt Single Action Army Models, and thus market remaining surplus conversion parts. Perhaps a few points of caution are in order, inasmuch as spurious models are beginning to appear at an alarming rate.
Inasmuch as the value of such authentic pieces vary from $3,000 to $8,500 this is indeed attractive to the sophisticated craftsman.
Engraving can be duplicated to undetectable degrees. Bronze silver plated castings can also be made using wax castings. Most seasoned arms experts are reluctant to examine a “Colt Tiffany” because of lack of exposure or arms for comparison, this is why little or nothing has been written as an aid for prospective “Tiffany” owners.
The number of spurious models and some in the hands of reputable dealers have more than doubled. A few salient conclusions have been derived from an exhaustive study.
Inasmuch as most “Colt Tiffany” Models were never extensively used, an almost fine to mint arm should be represented. Cylinder scenes can either be scroll, rolled, or hand engraved, hammers plain or engraved s·o this is non-indicative.
On larger frame models, such as Navy and Army, the grip butt retaining screw is of a smaller diameter than the customary butt screw, thus on a spurious model this would require brazing, drilling, and tapping to a smaller diameter-readily distinguishable on a Beta Gram X-ray.
On the large frame Army and Navy, usually a grip number under the cap will conform in number, type and style to all other matching numbers on frame, barrel, cylinder, etc., readily comparative on a micro-projector. Grips were installed on the 1853 and 1862 frames by milling a square to accommodate the trigger-guard strap end. It is well to examine this cut-out as an odd milling cut was required and only the corners will be filed out, the loading edges will show mill marks.
Metallurgically, and in simplifying the definition of bronze, it is an alloy of copper-zinc-and tin. Specifically, drillings from two “Colt Tiffany” grips were examined on the X-ray spectrometer and Emission Spectrometer and found as follows: Cu (copper) 80%, Zn (zinc) 4%, Sn (tin) 14%, and surprisingly 2% A8 (silver).
Thus in referring to all universal bronze specifications currently in use and previously used over the past 50 years, none conform to those utilized in the “Colt Tiffany” grips, this is due to the fact that silver was added to raise the recrystallization temperature and tend toward finer grain castings.
Thus, such a casting would be expensive to produce today and conform with this analysis. Spurious models are probably produced from common brass (alpha-beta) of ASTM B22 Type D Bronze, all without silver. Quality of silver plate used on “Tiffany” grips was 925-1000.
Analysis can be a serious consideration in today’s technological world. Papers can be forged, finishes aged to cover various base materials, engravings duplicated, but seldom does the “fake’s” renumeration justify even the cost of 65% exactness, so this is in favor of a well-informed collector.
Always bear in mind-as the “Tiffany Colt” is the epitome of all collectors, approach bargains with caution.