Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout us
Log InCreate Account
Rock Island Auction CompanyRock Island Auction Company
Contact us
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
Locations
Bedford, TX
3600 Harwood RoadBedford, Texas 76021, USA
Rock Island, IL
7819 42nd Street WestRock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
Hours
Monday - Friday8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Navigation
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout usAccount
More Info
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyJob postings & CareersOrder a catalogContact
Social media
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
Disconnected
Unable to connect to live update server, attempting reconnection. If this persists, please try refreshing your browser.
Disconnected state indicated by at top of page. If you cannot see this icon, you are connected.
Rock Island Auction Company
Hello.
Please Log In, or .

Home
Auctions
Consignment
Latest
FAQ
About us

  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 1626

Lot 1626:Engraved and Gold Inlaid Charter Arms Undercover Revolver

December 10th, 2022|Rock Island, IL
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 1626

Lot 1626:Engraved and Gold Inlaid Charter Arms Undercover Revolver

December 10th, 2022|Rock Island, IL
Price Realized:
Login to viewLogin to view
Price obfuscated
Estimated Price$5,000 - $8,000
Log In to use Wishlists
Share

Extremely Well Documented Serial Number 1 Al Herbert Exhibition Quality Engraved and Gold Inlaid Charter Arms Undercover Double Action Revolver

Offered here is the first revolver manufactured by Charter Arms. In an included letter Charter Arms founder Douglas. S. McClenahan states that he built this revolver, including shaping and finishing the stocks, in July of 1965 after he left Sturm, Ruger, and Co. This pistol is the first of fifty pilot run pistols used to start the company. The revolver was part of a Serial Number One Guns display in the NRA's National Sporting Arms Museum from 2013-2022, as well as being featured on season 4 episode 16 of Outdoor Channel's "Gun stories" on serial number one guns. It is also pictured on page 201 of "Guns of the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum", page 263 of " The Illustrated History of Firearms: Second Edition", and the cover story of the December, 1967 issue of Guns and Hunting magazine. The revolver features blade front and frame notch rear sights. The revolver features near full coverage floral scroll engraving with "DESIGNED BY DOUGLAS S. McCLENAHAN" inscribed on the backstrap. Gold inlays include a band at the muzzle, gold inlaid scroll accents, dots on the frame and cylinder, "#1" on the front of the right side of the frame, and band at the rear of the cylinder. There is a single platinum dot at the center of both sides of the topstrap. The engraving and inlay were executed in 1966 by Colt Master Engraver Al Herbert. This revolver was also part of the Charter Arms display for the 2018 SHOT Show. Also included is a January, 1991 notarized letter from McClenahan for the sale of the revolver to author Jim Supica as well as giving some history of how McClenahan came to start Charter Arms. Provenance: The Supica Collection

ConditionExcellent as masterfully engraved and inlaid by Al Herbert, retaining 99% plus original blue finish with limited handling marks and crisp engraving. Mechanically excellent. This is your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own the first Charter Arms revolver ever made.
Details
ManufacturerCharter Arms Corp
ModelUndercover
TypeRevolver
Serial number
ClassCurio & Relic Handgun
Caliber / Gauge38 Special
Barrel2 inch solid rib
Finishblue
Gripwalnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views3869
Catalog page410
Find MoreRelated Items
Lot 1549Nickeled Colt Detective Special Revolver with Factory Letter
View Lot
Lot 1552Colt Factory Engineering Archives Cobra Revolver
View Lot
Lot 1550Colt Archive Collection Cobra Revolver with Factory Letter
View Lot
Lot 325J. Gwinnell Engraved 3rd Gen. Colt Single Action Army Revolver
View Lot
Show More