Black Beauty: Nimschke’s Masterpiece Sold By Rock Island Auction

German-born Louis Daniel Nimschke is widely recognized as one of the most talented and prolific firearm engravers of the 19th century. Throughout his career, Nimschke turned firearms into functional works of art, personally engraving hundreds of guns and overseeing the embellishment of thousands more.

In 1888, at the height of his career, Nimschke received a commission to engrave a Colt Single Action Army revolver for Mexican President Jose Manuel del Refugio Gonzales Flores. The resulting firearm, known simply as “Black Beauty,” is widely considered one of Nimschke’s greatest works and serves as a remarkable display of his skill and artistry as a firearm engraver.

The revolver is chambered in .44-40 Win. and outfitted with the 7.5" barrel typical of the era’s Single Action Army model. Interlaced scroll engraving extends from the muzzle down the barrel, along the outside of the ejector-rod housing and covers nearly the entire frame, as well as the trigger guard and backstrap. The head of an eagle appears among the scrollwork on the left side of the gun’s recoil shield. Gold bands, borders and inlaid gold scrolls highlight the exquisite finish, and Black Beauty is one of only a few Nimschke-engraved guns to feature such extensive gold inlay.

Black Beauty sold at Rock Island Auction Co. on May 2, 2025, for a hammer price of $1.6 million—the second-highest amount ever paid for a Colt Single Action Army revolver. To find out more, visit rockislandauction.com