ARMY REVOLVER, "TIFFANY" CIVIL WAR BATTLE SCENE METAL GRIPS. Cal. 44, S# 180417. The rarest of "Tiffany" all metal grips have Civil War battle scene panels. Most of these grips are found on cartridge conversions and no more than a handful survive on percussion revolvers, especially the large frame armies. There are a pair of cased army revolvers given to the president of Peru in 1870 with identical grips, this revolver is also shown in L. D. Nimschke record book. Another engraved pair with identical grips are found in the Smithsonian Institution collection (photos of both accompany this lot). There has been much written about these grips and their manufacture by Larry Wilson in his early texts attributed these to Tiffany manufacture. Later published research by Marlin Polhemus shows these are most likely the product of Wexell and Degress of Mexico City. Wexel & Degress sold these grips to Colt; Schuyler, Hartley & Graham; and others, based on receipts. These beautiful, raised relief metal grips were mounted on custom Nimschke engraved Schuyler Hartley & Graham marketed revolvers who illustrated these grips in their 1864 catalog. Regardless of the manufacturer, whether it was Ames, or Wexell & Degress; the Nimschke shop, SH&G, and Tiffany all utilized these grips on their most special revolvers. There are several different fancy relief grips, these are by far the rarest with Civil War battle scenes. Revolver is in standard configuration, 8" barrel with one line New York address, scroll engraving a very similar form can be found in the accompanying pages from Wilson's engraving books attributed to Nimschke shop. This revolver based on serial number was manufactured in 1869, many of these revolvers stayed in factory and were converted to cartridge. This example has survived in fine original percussion configuration. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: copy of pages of similar engraved guns from Larry Wilson's "Colt Engraving Book" & auction receipt. CONDITION: fine overall, retaining much of its original silver wash, crisp markings including engraving. Revolver is original, complete and matching. Mechanically fine, crisp rifled bore. PROVENANCE: James D Julia Auctions March 13, 2006, Lot 177. (01-25217/JS). ANTIQUE. $20,000-25,000.