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Price | Description |
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1079
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$0.00 |
COLT ROUND BARREL POCKET NAVY CARTRIDGE REVOLVER WITHOUT EJECTOR SOLID BARREL TYPE.
SN 313254. Cal. 36 3-1/2″ bbl, blue and case colored finish, walnut grips. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Fine. Bbl retains 60% blue, clear two-line bbl address. Dark bore with sharp rifling. Front pin sight is intact. Cylinder shows 80% cylinder scene under a brown patina with traces of orig blue. Back of cylinder shows 20% blue. Frame retains 60% bright case color with no apparent cleaning. Two-line patent mark on left side of frame. Good screws. Conversion ring shows traces of case color. Hammer shows 80% case color with scratching on side. Trigger guard and backstrap retain 20% silver finish in protected areas. 36 Cal stamped on left side of trigger guard. Grips retain 50% varnish on right side and about 10% varnish on left side. SNs match on bbl, frame, trigger guard, backstrap, and cylinder. Wedge is numbered 17566. A very decent example of a cartridge Colt Revolver that is not a conversion. 49059-103 TEP C&R (2,500-3,500) – Lot 1079
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1080
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$2,587.50 |
COLT MODEL 1862 POCKET NAVY CARTRIDGE CONVERSION REVOLVER.
SN 3758. Cal. 38. 6-1/2″ bbl, nickel finish. Varnished walnut grips. Rolled engraved cylinder, silver plated grip straps and “FC d CR” engraved on backstrap, possible Hispanic presentation, needs further research. SN’s match on bbl, frame, trigger guard and backstrap. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Fine, bbl retains 80% nickel finish with some marring around wedge on either side and wear on ejector rod housing and head. Sharp bbl address, bore is good with some pitting and sharp rifling. Cylinder retains 75% nickel finish with a very sharp cylinder scene, a few small spots of corrosion. Frame retains 75% nickel with most wear on left side near the Colt’s patent mark. Good screws, trigger shows trace of blue, hammer shows 50% case color. Backstrap and trigger guard retain 50% silver plate. Grips retain 90% varnish with some handling marks and high point wear. Mechanics are fine. A very nice Colt Pocket Navy Conversion that would compliment any collection. 49059-71 TEP C&R (3,000-5,000) – Lot 1080
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1091
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$4,600.00 |
REPRODUCTION COLT NO. 5 BELT MODEL TEXAS PATERSON.
SN 2. Cal. .36. Usual configuration with 9″ oct bbl, pinched brass pin front sight with pantographed address “Patent Arms Mg. Co. Paterson N.J.-Colt’s PT.” each end of the address has a small 6 pointed star and a tapering snake pattern like an orig address. Bore is rifled with 11 lands and grooves, right hand twist. Cyl has square shoulder with 5 chambers & a fine left hand stagecoach holdup scene roll marking and bears SN 7. SN 2 and 2 dots are found on rear face of bbl lug, end of cyl spindle and inside front & backstraps. Frame is a decent representation of the Texas Paterson with scalloped edges and folding trigger. Cyl spindle is also a good representation without grease grooves. Grip frame is a little thick but of approximately the same shape as an orig and is mounted with faux Ivory grips. A note that accompanies the revolver states “This item was possibly made by a machinist in Omaha, NE in the 1930’s.” This would make a fine representative slot-filler in a collection until a real one could be purchased. PROVENANCE: Rod Fuller Estate Collection. CONDITION: Fine, overall retains a smooth, dark brown patina showing cleaned areas on left side of frame & backstrap. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 49291-35 JR (1,000-2,000) – Lot 1091
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1092
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$2,587.50 |
COLT 2ND MODEL DRAGOON REVOLVER CIVILIAN ISSUE.
SN 8401. Cal. 44 7-1/2″ bbl, blue and case colored finish. Colts patent and U.S. visible on frame. Straight grained walnut grips are replacements possibly from an 1860 Army. CONDITION: Fair. Revolver shows a gray-brown patina overall. Bbl shows welding repairs at lug, heavy cleaning overall. Bbl address is not legible. Rammer, wedge and screws are replacements. Bore is dark. Broken lug pin holes. Cylinder shows a brown-gray patina. It has been heavily cleaned, no cylinder scene, no safety pins intact. Frame shows brown-gray patina with heavy pitting on both sides. Hammer is battered. Trigger guard and backstrap retain 10-15% of silver finish. Main spring has been changed from V-shape to leaf-type. SNs are visible partially on frame, clearly on trigger guard, and are polished off on bbl lug and backstrap. No SN on cylinder. A good representative example of an old dragoon that has seen some serious use. 49545-6 TEP C&R (1,000-1,500) – Lot 1092
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1093
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$3,450.00 |
COLT MODEL 1848 BABY DRAGOON POCKET REVOLVER.
SN 10622. Cal. 31 4″ bbl, blue and case colored finish. Varnished walnut grips. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Very good, bbl retains 20% blue finish especially around the wedge with some erosion on the right side of the muzzle, very little marring around the wedge. Bore is Dark with visible rifling. Cylinder retains a nearly complete Dragoon and Indian cylinder scene visible under a dark brown patina, Colt patent mark and SN is very strong. Single safety pin is intact at the rear of cylinder. Frame shows a gray/brown patina with traces of case color in protected areas. Hammer is very good. Trigger guard and backstrap retain generous traces of the original silver finish. Grips retain 75% varnish with high point wear and a few minor dents, a chip is missing at the heel of the right grip. SN’s match on bbl, wedge, arbor, frame, trigger guard, backstrap, and cylinder. Grips were not removed but fit very well. This is a very nice Colt baby dragoon with a lot of original finish for this model. 49059-101 TEP C&R (3,000-5,000) – Lot 1093
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1094
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$1,840.00 |
CASED COLT MODEL 1849 POCKET REVOLVER.
SN 27806. Cal. .31. Blue finish with 6″ bbl and Varnished walnut grip. French fitted case is of the era and contains a non-Colt flask, Colt bullet mold, nipple wrench, tin of Eley caps. CONDITION: Good, bbl shows traces of blue mixed with plum/brown patina, frame has smooth gray patina, cylinder shows traces of scene, no finish remains. Grip straps shows traces of silver and grips show 50% varnish. Case and accessories are fine. 49433-59 TEP (1,500-2,500) – Lot 1094
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1095
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$0.00 |
CASED COLT MODEL 1849 POCKET REVOLVER.
SN 87445. Cal. 31. Blue finish with 6″ oct bbl and 1-pc walnut grip. Accompanied by a purple velvet lined mahogany Colt casing that contains the revolver, a double sided early “COLTS PATENT” eagle flask, a brass mold and a nipple wrench. CONDITION: Good, visible number matching. Revolver has an even gray patina with a slight silvering of the frame, brass backstrap and trigger guard cleaned long ago. 50% cylinder scene with visible Colts patent. Grip has been cleaned and revarnished. Cylinder does not rotate upon cocking. Case is very good with light soil inside. Accessories are good. 49433-62 TEP C&R (3,500-5,000) – Lot 1095
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1096
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$5,750.00 |
EXCEPTIONAL 6″ COLT MODEL 1849 POCKET PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 307186. Cal. 31. Blue & color case hardened with 6″ oct bbl, brass pin front sight and 1-line New York address. On buttstrap is scratched “W BLISS” in fancy light script, possibly denoting an owner and also some other initials scratched into bottom of stocks of unknown meaning as can be seen in photos. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Excellent overall. Appears all matching though not disassembled to check for other SNs not external. Bbl retains about 95% of its orig blue with scattered areas of staining, scratches and some denting and scratches along wedge slot. Loading assembly retains some bright case color with balance muted. Frame retains some muted case colors, with balance faded to a silver/gray with light pitting on back of recoil shields; hammer retains some case colors on the sides & rear edge, fading to silver matching frame; cylinder retains about 95% orig blue with the balance plum/silver and shows virtually all sharp stagecoach holdup scene. Trigger guard & back strap retain traces of their orig silver plating with balance yellow patina. Grip is sound, well-fit retaining over 90% orig bright varnish with edge wear, several storage dings, dents and scratches. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with a few scattered spots of pitting. 49059-73 JS (3,000-5,000) – Lot 1096
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1097
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$1,725.00 |
Revised: 10/1/2015
Please Note: Ivory grips in photo will not be included. The gun is being sold without the Ivory grips.
COLT 2ND MODEL 1851 NAVY REVOLVER WITH IVORY GRIPS.
SN 1831. Cal. .36. 7-1/2″ oct bbl, blue and case colored finish. SNs match on bbl, rammer, frame, trigger guard, backstrap, cylinder, and arbor. One-piece ivory grips are old replacements. CONDITION: Fair. Revolver shows a smooth gray-brown patinated finish overall. Bbl has clear address. Wedge and trigger have been replaced. Rammer has been refinished. Rammer latch has been replaced. Cylinder has gray-brown patina, no scene, SN is partially visible, six battered safety pins still present. Frame is gray patina with 60% re-blue finish. Trigger guard and backstrap show miniscule traces of silver in corners. Grips show moderate wear with artificially aged patina. Mechanics are a little loose but functional. An example of an early Colt Navy that saw heavy use on frontier. Colorful old gun. 49545-4 TEP C&R (1,500-2,000) – Lot 1097
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1098
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$3,450.00 |
COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY REVOLVER US ARMY ISSUE.
SN 79811. Cal. .36. 7-1/2″ bbl, blue finish. Walnut grips. CONDITION: Very good, for an Army issued Navy. These pistols in original percussion are difficult to find as most were converted to cartridges. Revolver has an overall gray patina finish with some roughness at the muzzle, cylinder shows 50% of the cylinder scene. Inspectors marks are present on the breech end of the bbl, on the cylinder and the top of the backstrap. Left grip shows remnants of the original cartouche. Frame is marked US under colt’s patent. All visible SN’s match. This is a hard to fine example of very rare Colt Martial revolver. 49433-117 TEP C&R (3,500-5,000) – Lot 1098
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1099
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$5,175.00 |
CASED 2ND MODEL COLT 1851 LONDON NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 7941. Cal 36. Blue & color case hardened with 7 1/2″ bbl, brass pin front sight and 1-line London address. Accompanied by a blue velvet lined Colt English mahogany casing with empty brass plaque in the lid. Compartmented in the bottom for the revolver, pewter oiler, Barlow patent bag flask, a blued 2-cavity “COLT’S PATENT” mold with sprue cutter, an L-shaped nipple wrench, a steel cleaning rod, loose 36 Cal. balls, lacquered tin of Eley’s caps. This is a fine, sharp cased Colt which presents beautifully as professionally refinished. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Gun retains virtually all of its refinished blue and case colors. Backstrap and trigger guard have turned mostly plum. Stocks are sound and solid and fit gun well but were not removed to check for SN. They retain about 70% of a varnished finish which appears partially orig with small dings, dents, scratches and other small blemishes. Mechanics are crisp and functioning. Bore exhibits crisp sharp rifling with areas of staining and light pitting. Gun appears all orig with exception of replaced wedge screw. Case is sound and solid with small dings, dents retaining much of a varnished finish. Internally lining is faded, worn and soiled. Components are average for condition with good markings. L-shaped gun tool is refinished. Flask has broken spring. 49059-82 JS (4,000-6,000) – Lot 1099
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1100
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$1,035.00 |
LOT OF TWO PISTOLS 1) COLT MODEL 1855 ROOT REVOLVER 2) BELGIAN OVER AND UNDER TURNOVER PERCUSSION PISTOL.
SN 14475/NSN. Cal. 28/40. 1) 3-1/2″ oct bbl, blue finish. Walnut grips. Side hammer. Indian and cabin scene engraved on cylinder. Visible SN’s match. 2) 2-3/4″ rnd bbls, with crowned muzzles. Belgian over and under two shot percussion turnover pistol. Engraved frame. Checkered wood grip, with presentation plaque, folding trigger. CONDITION: 1) Good, revolver has a cleaned gray finish overall, no remaining blue. Bbl address is sharp. SN are sharp on bbl, backstrap and cylinder. Cylinder retains 30% cylinder scene with brown spots and corrosion, Colt’s patent is visible. Trigger retains traces of blue. Hammer retains traces of dark case color. Grips have been refinished. Mechanics are fine. A good example of a Root revolver for a beginning collector. 2) Fine, bbls show a blue/gray patina finish with sharp proof marks, some engraving at breech. Frame shows gray/blue patina, smooth overall with sharp engraving. Hammer shows traces of case color. Nipples are not battered. Grip is very good with fine checkering and burl grain. Functions well. Nice Belgian over and under. 49550-2 TEP C&R (1,500-2,500) – Lot 1100
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1101
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$4,025.00 |
CASED COLT MODEL TWO 1855 ROOT REVOLVER.
SN 22085. Cal. .28. Blue finish with 3-1/2″ oct bbl & 1-pc varnished walnut grip. With an original Colt case which contains a rare double-sided zinc eagle & stars flask, an original wood handle turnscrew, an Eley cap tin and a tiny brass.28 caliber brass mold. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Revolver retains 90% blue on the frame and 50% blue intermingled with brown patina on the bbl. Case colors are partially visible on the hammer. Cylinder shows a complete cylinder scene that is light, no blue remains on the cylinder. Walnut grips shows almost all of the original varnish with only high point wear and a couple of dings. Case is in good condition with faded interior & one broken partition behind the hammer. 49433-56 TEP C&R (4,000-6,000) – Lot 1101
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1102
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$3,450.00 |
FINE CASED COLT “MODEL 5″ 1855 ROOT PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 7060. Cal. 31. This Colt Root model entered production in 1855 with 8 changes over course of manufacture. This being the fifth change or “Model 5″. Colt Roots were among Col. Colt’s favorite presentation guns. This particular gun was made at the height of the Civil War in 1863 with round 3-1/2″ bbl and 2-line New York address. Pistol is cased in an orig Colt case with a flask, mold and tin of caps. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Bbl retains about 70% of bright blue finish with balance plum. Bbl housing and frame retain 30% bright blue finish with balance grey/plum. Cylinder retains about 70% bright blue finish with balance plum/grey. Loading arm and hammer retain over 50% of case colors with balance muted to silver/gray. Grips retain virtually all of their orig glossy varnish with small nicks, dings and light to moderate edge wear. Mechanically gun is functional with crisp well defined bore with areas of pitting near muzzle. Accompanying Colt casing is sound. Outside of casing retains much orig varnish. Interior of case is light faded and soiled from an orig burgundy red color. Fluted flask is very good and fits casing well. Two cavity iron “Colt’s Patent” mold retains traces of finish and appears to be 28 Cal. so not orig to this gun. 49059-83 JS (4,000-6,000) – Lot 1102
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1104
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$1,725.00 |
Revised: 9/23/2015
Please Note: Bottom rear edge of barrel lug has forged repair and numbers. Some of the serial numbers have been altered or re-stamped.
COLT 1860 ARMY MODEL REVOLVER WITH FULL FLUTED CYLINDER.
SN 4515. Cal. .44. 8″ bbl, blue finish. 1-pc walnut grips. CONDITION: Fair, gun shows heavy use with crusty gray/brown patina and numerous handling dings. Hartford bbl address is readable. Visible SN’s match. Four screw frame, cut stock, varnished walnut grips. Early 1860 Army that could have gone South. 49433-118 TEP C&R (1,500-2,500) – Lot 1104
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1105
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$0.00 |
COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY REVOLVER WITH SHORTENED BARREL.
SN 104935. Cal. .44. 5-1/4″ bbl, blue finish. 2-pc walnut grips. CONDITION: Fair, gun shows overall gray patina. No cylinder scene present. Matching visible SN’s. U.S. inspector marks on various parts. Bbl has been shortened during period of use, rammer has been removed and plugged and front sight has been replaced. Grips have been revarnished and are not original to this gun. W.F. & Co., stamped on the bottom of backstrap. Interesting old gun. 49433-93 TEP C&R (1,500-4,500) – Lot 1105
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1106
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$3,162.50 |
COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY REVOLVER WITH FULL FLUTED CYLINDER CIVILIAN ISSUE.
SN 965. Cal. 44 7-1/2″ bbl, blue and case colored finish, walnut grips. CONDITION: Good. Bbl shows brown-gray patina with heavy pitting at muzzle and down left side. Bore is dark with visible rifling. Hartford bbl address is partially visible. Orig rammer and latch. Front sight is full-sized. Cylinder is blue-brown patina overall. SN is stamped in one flute. No patent mark visible. Some pitting around nipple area. Flattened safety pins in back of cylinder. Frame is four screw and cut to stock. Frame shows a gray-brown patina with some heavy cleaning. Heavy pitting on recoil shield and back of frame. Screws are replacements. Hammer shows crusty brown patina. Trigger guard retains 20% silver. Iron backstrap is gray-brown patina with some heavy pitting behind hammer. Grips are good with small chip missing from heel of left grip. SNs on bbl, wedge, cylinder, arbor, frame, trigger guard, and backstrap all match. Colt’s patent on left side of frame partly obscured. A good representative example of an early three-digit Army that could have gone South. 49545-3 TEP C&R (3,000-5,000) – Lot 1106
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1107
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$2,875.00 |
INSCRIBED PRESENTATION COLT MODEL 1862 POCKET POLICE REVOLVER IN CASE WITH ACCESSORIES.
SN 2808. Cal. 36. 5-1/2″ bbl, nickel finish. Varnished walnut grips. SN’s match on bbl, wedge, frame, trigger guard and backstrap. In a period mahogany case with dustlip and red velvet lining with accessories, contains Colt mold, period flask, combination tool and cap tin, key is present. Backstrap is inscribed “Col. T.H.M. to I.A.C.” Included with is paperwork to substantiate the presentation. PROVENANCE: The revolver was presented by Col. Thomas H. Marshall of Belfast, ME, to his “Lacky” Isaac Adelbert Connet. Col. Marshall served at the 7th Regiment of Maine Volunteers and died in Baltimore on 10-25-1861. Isaac A. Conant was a Private in the 26th Regiment of Maine Volunteer Infantry who spent most of their war time service in Louisiana. A letter dated November 21st, 1958, from a direct descendant clearly records all of these facts. Conant was born in Appleton, Maine, 1-9-1842, and died in Belfast, ME, 1-17-1923. CONDITION: Fine, bbl retains 80% nickel finish that has dulled somewhat with age, slight muzzle wear and some flaking on bbl lug. Bore is dark with visible rifling. Cylinder retains 60% nickel with flaking at front and at rear around nipples, clear patent date in flute, two intact safety pins, three are smashed. Frame retains 80% nickel that has dulled with age, some cleaning on right side of frame. Trigger guard and backstrap retain 90% nickel. Grips retain 90% varnish with numerous handling marks and high point wear. Mechanics function fine. Case is in very good condition, a Colt bullet mold marked 36 P, flask in good condition, combination tool with traces of blue and a cap tin with a clear label, a few lead bullets. A great piece of Maine Civil War history. 49551-2 TEP (2,500-4,500) – Lot 1107
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1108
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$3,737.50 |
VERY EARLY CASED COLT MODEL 1862 POCKET NAVY REVOLVER.
SN 90. Cal. .36. First few days production revolver with 6-1/2″ bbl, blue finish. Varnished 1-pc walnut grips. Accompanied by a relined Colt case which contains an early double sided eagle Colt flask, brass Colt bullet mold without sprue cutter and cap tin. CONDITION: Good, smooth even gray patina overall, no silver on the straps, cylinder shows strong traces of scene. Grips are good. Case is good. This is a very early two digit number Colt Pocket Navy revolver, one of the first produced, all visible SN’s match. 49433-52 TEP C&R (3,500-5,000) – Lot 1108
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3127
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$0.00 |
EXTREMELY RARE CASED COLT EHLERS BABY PATERSON PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 24. Cal. 31. All blue finish with 3″ oct bbl, brass pin front sight and 1-line script letter address which reads left hand “Patent Arms Patterson, N.J.-Colt’s Pt.” with dashes at each end. Bbl has the attached Ehlers rammer. Cyl has five chambers with rnd shoulder and ratchet rather than a slot for a rotating ring and measures 1-1/16″. Cyl has the centaur scene roll marking with the four-headed Paterson Colt logo. The tiny frame has folding trigger and is mounted with 1-pc varnished rosewood grip. Grip is made of two pieces of rosewood attached to two spacer blocks. Accompanied by an orig, burgundy velvet lined, mahogany casing with flat top & bottom. Front of case has a rectangular escutcheon for the mortised brass lock. Bottom inside is recessed for the revolver, a rare all brass plunger type powder measure and a tiny single ball mold with sprue cutter and three turned walnut handles with brass ferrules. The slot in the front, which ordinarily contains a turnscrew is filled with a pocket corkscrew. This cased set is listed as item number 5 and pictured on the back cover of Jackson Arms, Dallas, TX, Catalog #16. Bottom of the front cover states “The Ben Ames Williams Collection”. The corkscrew was present in the case at that time and is discussed as a loading tool “never previously seen” in a Paterson casing. Also accompanied by a signed letter from renowned collector & dealer, the late Bobby Smith of Tennessee. The letter identifies this pistol by SN and Mr. Smith states, “An extremely fine and rare specimen of a cased Colt Baby Paterson Revolver with the Ehlers attached loading lever”. Mr. Smith also mentions the strange “loading tool combination a rammer worm”, and further says that he had never seen a tool like this in a Paterson casing. He also mentions the Jackson Arms catalog and identifies it as July 1960. He states that the collection of Ben Ames Williams was sold at that time and that this cased set was part of his collection. He further states that, ” Ben Ames Willimas was an artist, editor & writer. Two of his best selling books were House Divided and The Unconquered. According to The Book of Colt Firearms , Wilson, there were only about 500 of these little revolvers produced in 1837-1838, which also included the Paterson No.2 Belt Revolver. These revolvers with attached rammers were late production made from parts that were semi-finished when Colt went bankrupt. John Ehlers was a major stock holder in the Patent Arms Manufacturing Co. and assumed ownership in the bankruptcy. He finished and assembled the parts and added the loading levers. He also deleted the “M’g Co.” from the bbl address roll die. In addition the capping cutout was added to the right recoil shield during this process. Few of these little revolvers survive today, especially those that are all matching and with high orig finish. Cased examples are extremely rare, especially those with the rare corkscrew loading tool. PROVENANCE: Ben Ames Willaims Collection; Jackson Arms; The Late Bobby Smith Collection. CONDITION: Very fine to extremely fine, all matching including bbl, wedge, cyl, frame, hammer, backstrap and grip. No further disassembly was effected to check for other matching parts. Bbl retains about 95% glossy orig blue with light sharp edge wear; wedge retains about 80% fire blue, mostly on the body; frame & front strap retain about 70% glossy orig blue with light candy striping on both sides, flaking on the recoil shields and light sharp edge wear; hammer retains dark case colors with light pitting on the sides; cyl retains most of its orig blue, thin on the rear half, turning plum and shows about 95% centaur scene roll marking; backstrap & buttstrap retain 92-93% glossy orig blue with some light sharp edge wear and minor pinpoint flaking. Grip is sound and retains about 88-90% orig varnish with the loss areas flaked from the ears and light edge wear. Mechanics are crisp, strong bright bore with scattered fine pitting. Case has a grain check in the lid, otherwise is sound with usual handling & storage nicks & scratches and retains most of its orig varnish. Interior is moderately faded with light soil in the lid lining and heavily faded in the bottom, darker in the recesses with light soil. Flask retains about 70% bright gold wash with the exposed areas a dark patina, mechanics are fine. Mold is extremely fine showing about 95% bright blue on the body and about 60% on the sprue cutter with losses from flaking. Mold handles are solid and the rare corkscrew loading tool is very fine, certainly capable of opening the finest bottle of wine. 49402-6 JR (150,000-250,000) – Lot 3127
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3128
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$0.00 |
FINE CASED COLT 3RD MODEL DRAGOON PERCUSSION REVOLVER WITH VERY RARE 8″ BARREL.
SN 18513. Cal. 44. Blue & color case hardened with rare 8″ oct to rnd bbl, nickel silver front sight and 1-line New York City address. Left side of frame is marked with small “COLTS PATENT”. Cyl has the Ormsby dragoon Indian fight scene roll marking with the rare & desirable “U.S. DRAGOONS” & “COLT’S PATENT” cartouches surrounding the SN. It is unusual to find the “U.S. Dragoons” marking on such a late production revolver. Five of the six safety pins are serviceable. The silver plated brass trigger guard and backstrap contain a varnished 1-pc walnut grip with partially visible “851-” SN in backstrap channel. Accompanied by an extremely rare, original, burgundy velvet lined mahogany casing for the 8″ dragoon. Interior is compartmented for the revolver, a rare double sided dragoon flask with trophy of flags & arms and “COLTS PATENT” marking in a ribbon. Flask has high mounted triangular rings & angle spout. Also accompanied by a blued steel bullet & ball “COLT’S PATENT” mold with sprue cutter marked on the right side “44H” & “D”. Additionally accompanied by a lacquered tin of Eley’s caps with repoussed brass label on the lid and an L-shaped nipple wrench. There were only about 10,500 3rd Model Dragoons produce in the period 1851-1861, of which extremely few were equipped with 8″ bbls, possibly as few as fifty. Of that small number an equally small percentage was cased, with only one or two known today. PROVENANCE: Robert Howard Collection; Dr. John & Margaret Pickup Collection. CONDITION: About fine, all matching including rammer, cyl & grip. Bbl retains strong orig blue showing thinning on rnd section with loss areas on the bbl lug flaked to a dark patina. Left side of rammer pivot retains strong case colors with the balance turned silver. Frame retains 60-70% of its moderately faded case colors on the right side and about 30% on the left side. Hammer retains dark case colors. Cyl retains traces of orig blue with the balance flaked to a dark patina and shows about 90% dragoon Indian fight scene roll marking. The “U.S.” in the “U.S. DRAGOONS” cartouche is only faintly visible. The “DRAGOONS” & “COLT’S PATENT” cartouches are completely legible & prominent. Trigger guard & backstrap retain about 60-65% orig silver with the balance a lemony patina. Grip is sound with minor handling & storage nicks & scratches and retains 80-90% orig varnish. Mechanics are fine. Bright shiny bore with two or three spots of pitting. Case is very fine with usual handling & storage nicks & scratches and retains most of its orig varnish. Interior is lightly faded in the lid with very light soil. Bottom is soiled from contact with the bbl, cyl and edge of grip under the revolver and from the flask & mold in the other compartments. Two smaller compartments are stained from lead balls. Flask is very fine showing one small dent on the neck and overall retains about 80% strong, orig finish. Mold is equally fine with some minor spotting on the handles and retains about 90% orig blue. Nipple wrench & cap tin are fine. 49154-2 JR (60,000-90,000) – Lot 3128
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3129
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$0.00 |
COLT FIRST MODEL OF 1848 SECOND CONTRACT DRAGOON REVOLVER.
SN 2150. Cal. 44 7-1/2″ bbl, blue and case color finish, walnut grips. In November 1847 Samuel Colt received a second contract from the U.S. government for 1000 revolvers with improvements to the Walker model. Bbls were shortened to 7-1/2″ and cyls were shortened by 1/2″. Backstraps were made of brass instead of iron. Deliveries of these revolvers to the military were 260 pistols in June 1848, 320 pistols in August 1848, 300 pistols in September 1848, and 120 pistols November 1848. Of the 1000 Dragoons ordered under the 2nd contract 998 were shipped from New York Ordnance depot to St. Louis Arsenal. These revolvers were issued to the 1st and 2nd regiment of the U.S. Mounted Rifles whose duty it was to protect 49ers on their way to California gold fields in the Rush of 1849. These revolvers saw very hard service and many were taken by soldiers who, upon reaching Oregon, deserted and headed south to the California gold fields. The survival rate of these pistols is very low. To date only 145 of these pistols have been located, which is a survival rate of about 15%. Most of these revolvers are in very poor condition. PROVENANCE: Derek Provah Collection; Robert Howard Collection; Tom Power Collection. Accompanying this gun is: 1) a copy of the “Texas Gun Collector” Fall 2007 issue containing a comprehensive article on Second Contract Dragoons featuring pistol number 2150; 2) a copy of the “American Society of Arms Collectors” bulletin #95 containing a comprehensive article on the subject by well known authority Dick Salzer; 3) a copy of “Historical Arms Series No. 37” from the Museum Restoration Service by Longfield & Basnett describing the details of these very rare revolvers, 4) also included is a copy of the auction listing from the Greg Martin Auction of April 2006 describing this gun, formally in the Derek Povah and Robert Howard collection. CONDITION: Very good. Revolver shows an overall medium gray uncleaned patinated finish. Some slight roughness on bbl and bbl lug. Bore is dark with strong rifling. Cyl shows 20% cyl scene with a clear SN and “Colt’s Patent” mark. Ormsby signature partially visible. Compressing ridge on cyl is visible. Single safety pin hole without pin at rear of cyl. Frame is smooth, silver gray finish with striations present on right side of frame and recoil shield. Brass trigger guard and backstrap show a mustard patina. Both are of the Walker Pattern. Bbl address is legible and complete. “Colt’s Patent” over “U.S.” in middle of frame on the left side. Grips are very good with visible cartouches on both sides and small chips at the toe missing on each grip. All SNs, including frame, backstrap, trigger guard, arbor, cyl, wedge, grips and bbl, are matching. Bbl and loading lever have assembly number “40”. A “P” proof for Nahum Patch is present on the bbl, rammer, cyl, frame, hammer, trigger guard and backstrap. Grips show a “WAT” proof on right side and an “NWP” proof on the left side. Number 2150 is in very good orig condition with all orig parts present. This revolver has a lower production number than the Walker revolver, and the only Colt percussion Dragoon that has less production is the Whitneyville-Hartford Dragoon. This is an opportunity to purchase a very rare Colt Dragoon revolver. 49514-1 TEP C&R (25,000-35,000) – Lot 3129
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3130
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$0.00 |
SCARCE CASED ENGRAVED 3RD MODEL HARTFORD ENGLISH DRAGOON PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 57. Cal. 44 Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2″ oct to rnd bbl, that has nickel silver front sight and 1-line New-York City address with dashes. Left side of frame is engraved “COLTS PATENT” in a small ribbon. The silver plated brass trigger guard & backstrap contain a deluxe, burl walnut 1-pc grip. Frame, bbl lug, backstrap & buttstrap are beautifully engraved with light foliate & floral English style engraving. Rammer pivot and sides of the hammer are engraved to match. Accompanied by an orig mahogany, blue velvet lined English casing with empty rnd medallion in the lid and swinging latches on the front. Front of the case is installed with a dummy brass lock. Interior is compartmented for the revolver, a Sykes patent bag-shaped flask with adjustable spout, a blued two cavity “COLT’S PATENT” mold with sprue cutter, marked on the right side “44H” and a small “T” inspector mark. Also accompanied by a small tin of Joyce caps and a pewter & crystal oiler. Also included is an L-shaped nipple wrench. Two compartments have lids with “certifiable antique ivory” turn finials. According to The Book of Colt Firearms, Wilson, there are a total of only about 700 of these revolvers manufactured in the period 1853-1857, with only a few engraved. In 1860 Colt returned 200 Hardford-English dragoon revolvers to the U.S. to supply the demand of the looming U.S. Civil War and by 1861 were all sold. While a higher percentage of English dragoons than those made for the American market were cased & engraved, they are still a very rare commodity and seldom encountered today. Special Note: This item contains or is made of ivory. Do not bid on this lot unless you have read and agreed to our "Ivory Position Statement" and the "Waiver of Legal and Financial Risk to James D. Julia in regards to your Purchase of an Ivory Object." This information is located in the front section of our catalog. CONDITION: Fine to very fine, all matching. Bbl retains 25-30% glossy English blue with the balance a mottled silver/brown patina; rammer, rammer pivot & handle retain smoky case colors, stronger and brighter on the left side; frame retains 30-35% faded case colors, mostly turned silver; cyl retains 30-40% thin orig blue and shows 60-70% Dragoon-Indian fight scene roll marking; hammer retains strong case colors turned silver on top edge; trigger guard retains about 80-85% strong orig silver and the backstrap about 50%. Grip is sound with a few light nicks and retains traces of orig finish, being mostly a hand worn patina. Hammer is not solid in half cock notch, otherwise mechanics are fine; strong sharp bore with fine pitting. Case is sound with handling & use nicks & scratches and retains most of its orig varnish; interior is lightly faded in the top lining and moderately faded in the bottom with moderate to heavy soiling; flask has a couple small dents on one side otherwise is sound and retain about 65% orig finish; mold is extremely fine and retains most of its orig blue; other accessories are fine. 49254-4 JR IVORY (25,000-35,000) – Lot 3130
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3131
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$34,500.00 |
COLT 2ND MODEL DRAGOON PERCUSSION REVOLVER IDENTIFIED TO CIVL WAR SARGENT.
SN 8151. Cal. 44. Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2″ oct to rnd bbl, nickel silver front sight and New York City address. Left side of frame is marked with “COLTS PATENT” over a tiny “U.S.”. Frame, cylinder, hammer, frontstrap, backstrap & bottom edge of grip have small inspector initials. Cylinder is usual 6 chambers with “U.S. DRAGOONS / COLT’S PATENT” cartouches surrounding the SN. The unplated brass square-back trigger guard and backstrap contain a 1-pc walnut grip with clear cartouche visible on each side and matching SN in backstrap channel. Family history states that this revolver was descended through the Higby family from Charles Davis Higby. Accompanied by a handwritten letter from Anne Menard address to consignor’s wife who also appears to be a Higby relative. Ms. Menard states that Mr. Higby was her grandmother’s father and is so listed in their family bible. He was born Oct 1843 and enlisted in the 53rd Ohio Infantry Nov 1861 at age 18 as a Sargent and was mustered out Aug 1865 at Little Rock, AR. He was wounded at Kennesaw Mtn.,GA June 1864 and survived the war. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching except wedge which is numbered 9533. Bbl retains 30-40% orig blue with the balance a thin blue patina with several small nicks on right side. Rammer pivot retains about 60% faded case colors with the handle cleaned to bright. Frame retains about 40% smoky case colors, being mostly a silver/grey patina. Hammer is matching patina with fine pitting on both sides at the nose. Cylinder retains about 50% thin blue with the balance thin blue/grey patina and shows 85-90% dragoon/Indian fight scene roll marking. The Ormsby address is completely legible. The “US DRAGOON” is a little thin on the left end, but mostly legible. The “COLT’S PATENT” cartouche is completely legible. All 6 safety pins are crisp and serviceable as are the 6 nipples. Trigger guard and backstrap are a medium mustard patina. Grip is sound showing light to moderate wear with a hand worn patina and both cartouches are legible. Mechanics are fine, strong blue bore with a few small spots of pinprick pitting. 1096-1 JR (15,000-25,000) – Lot 3131
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3133
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$12,650.00 |
SCARCE COLT DRAGOON 1ST MODEL PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 3160. Cal 44. Blue, color case hardened with 7-1/2″ oct to rnd bbl with nickel silver front sight & left hand address on top flat. Left side of frame is marked with a small “COLT’S PATENT” over a tiny “U.S.”. The square back brass trigger guard & backstrap contain an orig varnished, Slim-Jim style 1-pc walnut grip with last 3 digits of matching SN in buttstrap channel. Cylinder has the Dragoon-Indian fight scene roll marking. SN on the cylinder has a partially visible “U.S. DRAGOONS” and fully visible “COLT’S PATENT” cartouches above & below with the Ormsby signature completely visible. Cylinder also has its single safety pin crisp & serviceable. There were about 7000 of these revolvers produced, 1840-1850 with a large number purchased by the government. When the government did not purchase the entire production, many were sold on the open market that had the “US” stamped on left side of frame in anticipation that the Government contract would be greater. When the contract didn’t materialize Colt, being the frugal businessman he was, used those parts to assemble revolvers and sold them on the open market with many being sold to foreign buyers. By the advent of the 2nd model, the entire 1st model production was sold. They were mostly used on the American frontier and are rarely found today with any orig finish. PROVENANCE: The Norm Truesdell Collection;The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Very good to fine, all matching except wedge which is numbered “640”. Bbl retains strong blue in sheltered areas being mostly a blue/brown patina. Rammer and rammer handle are bright metal with dark case colors on the pivot. Frame retains traces of case colors being mostly a cleaned metal patina. Hammer retains dark case colors. Cylinder is bright metal and appears to never have been blued which is normal for the early 1st Model Dragoon. Cylinder shows 50-60% Dragoon-Indian fight scene roll marking. Grip frame shows moderate wear and is a medium mustard patina. Grip has sharp edge wear with light handling & use nicks & scratches with about 50-60% thin orig varnish being mostly hand worn patina. Mechanics are fine. Bright shiny bore, shows very little use. 49059-53 JR (10,000-15,000) – Lot 3133
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3134
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$24,150.00 |
RARE NEW HAMPSHIRE MARKED COLT DRAGOON 2ND MODEL PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 10180. Cal. 44. Rare New Hampshire Dragoon, blue and color case hardened with 7-1/2″ oct to rnd bbl, nickel silver front sight and right hand address. Left side of bbl lug is marked “NEW HAMPSHIRE”. Left side of frame has a tiny “COLT’S PATENT” over a tiny “U.S.”. The square back brass trigger guard & backstrap contain an oil finished 1-pc walnut grip with clear, legible “JH” inspector cartouche on left side and “WAT” (William A. Thornton) sub-inspector cartouche on the right side. Almost every part on the revolver has tiny inspector initials. Cylinder has the Ormsby Dragoon-Indian fight scene roll marking and “MODEL U.S.M.R.” and “COLT’S PATENT” cartouches surrounding the SN. Rear face of cylinder has all 6 safety pins serviceable. Buttstrap has 2 small filled squares with another centered on the backstrap and a 4th one at top of backstrap, apparently where this backstrap had been used to test an attachable shoulder stock and was recycled onto this revolver. There were only about 2700 of this Model Dragoon produced 1850-1851 with about 1000 of them on government contract. This was the lowest production of all the Dragoon models and of that limited production, only a few hundred were issued to the NH & MA militias. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Very good to fine, all matching including wedge, cylinder & grip. Only the first 4 digits of the SN are visible in backstrap channel of grip. Bbl retains traces of orig blue, stronger & brighter under the loading lever, being mostly a grey patina with a few scattered spots of surface rust. Rammer & pivot are grey patina. Frame is also a grey patina with some light pitting on recoil shields. Cylinder is matching grey patina with 3 or 4 areas of light surface pitting and shows about 75-80% Dragoon-Indian fight scene roll marking and clear, legible cartouches surrounding the serial number. Trigger guard & backstrap are cleaned brass patina. Grip is sound, showing light edge wear with a couple of nicks on the right side and shows a hand worn patina. Mechanics are fine. Strong bore with scattered pitting. 49059-226 JR (10,000-15,000) – Lot 3134
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3135
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$20,700.00 |
RARE MARTIAL COLT THIRD MODEL DRAGOON PERCUSSION REVOLVER WITH SHOULDER STOCK.
SN 17173. Cal. .44. Usual configuration with 7-1/2″ oct to rnd bbl, slightly altered nickel silver front sight and 1-line New York City address. Top flat has a 1-standing, 2-folding leaf sight. Frame has small “COLTS PATENT” over a tiny U.S. Frame is 4 screw type cut for shoulder stock with flat head hammer screw and extended stock screws. Cyl has the Ormsby Dragoon/Indian Fight Scene roll marking and “MODEL U.S.M.R.” and “COLT’S PATENT” cartouches around the SN. The brass trigger guard and iron backstrap contain a 1-pc walnut grip with last 4 digits of matching SN in backstrap channel. Right side of grip has a thin but legible “WAT” (William A. Thornton) sub-inspector cartouche. Left side has the outline of a cartouche and there are small inspector initials on the various parts. Accompanied by an orig 3rd type Dragoon stock with iron mounts and walnut buttstock that has a crisp “MM” cartouche on the left side and “WAT” on the right side. Bottom tang of the iron yoke has the SNs 17433 & 17434 with identical SNs on buttplate tang. Bottom tang also has a stud and ring. There was a total production of about 10,500 of this model revolver produced 1851 – 1861 of which only 946 were ordered as “Pistol Carbines”. As the SNs on the buttstock indicate they were intended to be issued in pairs to mounted Dragoons. They are rarely found today with their numbered pair and matching stocks are very rare. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Fine, all matching except buttstock, as noted. Frame retains traces of dark case colors in the most sheltered areas otherwise the metal is a smooth, even gray/brown patina. Cyl is matching patina and shows 50-60% Dragoon/Indian Fight Scene roll marking. Cartouches surrounding SN on the cyl are completely legible. Trigger guard has a series of dents on the frontstrap and shows a medium to dark mustard patina. Top of backstrap also has some small dents and the buttstrap & bottom edges of grip are somewhat battered. Grip has a chipped right toe & shows a smooth hand worn patina. Mechanics are fine. Bright shiny bore with scattered pitting. Stock yoke & buttplate are matching patina to the revolver. Buttstock is sound with a hand worn patina. 49059-56 JR (10,000-15,000) – Lot 3135
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3136
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$16,100.00 |
CASED COLT HARTFORD LONDON DRAGOON 3RD MODEL PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 228. Cal. 44. Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2″ oct to rnd bbl, nickel silver front sight and 1-line right hand New York City address. Left side of frame is marked “COLT’S PATENT”. Frame is 3-screw type not cut for shoulder stock. Cyl has the Ormsby Dragoon Indian fight scene roll marking and “MODEL U.S.M.R.” and “COLT’S PATENT” cartouches surrounding the SN all six safety pins prominent and serviceable. The silver plated brass trigger guard & backstrap contain a very nicely figured 1-pc varnished walnut grip with matching SN in backstrap channel. Rammer handle has vertical latch. Accompanied by an orig burgundy velvet lined English oak casing that is compartmented in the bottom for the revolver, a bag shaped Dixon flask, a scarce brass bullet & ball ‘COLTS PATENT’ mold with bright steel sprue cutter, a dragoon sized L-shaped nipple wrench, a large tin of Eley’s caps and a Dixon pewter oil bottle along with a functioning key. There were only about 700 of these scarce revolver produced in the period 1853-1857. Apparently they were not well received on the English market and in 1861 Colt brought about 200 of them back to the U.S. for use in the Civil War. Although it appears that a large number of these Hartford London dragoons were cased, very few appear on the U.S. market today. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Fine, all matching including rammer, wedge, cyl & grip. Bbl retains 30-40% orig blue mixed with flaked areas that are now a dark patina, rammer pivot retains dark case colors with the handle a mottled silver; frame shows traces of case colors being mostly a silver/grey patina; cyl is a silver/brown patina with one spot of pitting and shows 60-70% dragoon Indian fight scene roll marking; trigger guard retains about 50% orig silver with the front strap a medium mustard patina; backstrap & buttstrap retain traces of silver being mostly a mustard patina. Grip is sound showing light edge wear with minor handling & use nicks & scratches and retains about all of its orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with scattered pitting. Case has a small gouge in the lid and is sound showing an old refinish. Interior is moderately to heavily faded with light soil in the lid, heavier in the bottom; flask has some minor nicks & scratches and retains most of its orig finish; mold is nicked & dinged and retains about 1/2 of its orig bright finish on the sprue cutter; nipple wrench and other accessories are fine. 49059-54 JR (7,500-12,500) – Lot 3136
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3137
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$9,200.00 |
SCARCE COLT HARTFORD LONDON 3RD MODEL DRAGOON PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 264. Cal. 44. Scarce Colt, one of only about 700 made prior to the Civil War. It has 7-1/2” oct to rnd bbl, German silver front sight with one line New York City address with dashes at each end. It has British proofs on left side of bbl lug and on cyl between the nipples. The brass grip frame contains nicely figured, varnished, smooth, burl walnut 1-pc grip with matching number in backstrap channel. Left side of frame is marked “Colt’s Patent.” Cyl has the Ormsby Dragoon fight scene roll marking and “MODEL U.S.M.R.” and “COLT’S PATENT” cartouches surrounding the SN. Rear face of cyl has all six safety pins serviceable. These large revolvers apparently were not overly popular in England and at the onset of the Civil War about 200 of the Hartford English Dragoons were returned to the United States and sold to support the war effort, this probably being one of them. These revolvers are rarely found with high orig finish. CONDITION: About fine, all matching including rammer, wedge and cyl. Traces of orig finish remain in the most sheltered areas, being a cleaned silver metal color with some very fine pitting around muzzle and a few spots on bbl. Cyl retains 60-70% Ormsby Dragoon & Indian fight scene. All six of the safety pins are present. Grip frame is a light mustard patina. Grip is sound with a few dings on bottom & light handling & use marks and retains most of its strong orig varnish. Mechanics are fine, strong bright bore with some light frosty pitting. 49183-10 JR (7,500-12,500) – Lot 3137
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3138
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$6,900.00 |
Revised: 9/23/2015
Please Note: In further researching this gun we sold this gun in 2004 and 2005. At that time there was no cylinder seam and markings were weak all of which have been re-rolled or enhanced since.
SCARCE COLT 3RD MODEL DRAGOON PERCUSSION REVOLVER WITH 8″ BARREL.
SN 19217. Cal. 44. Usual configurations with 8″ oct to rnd bbl, slightly altered silver nickel front sight and 1-line New York City address. Left side of frame has a small COLTS PATENT. The silver plated brass trigger guard & backstrap contain a varnished 1-pc walnut grip with last 4 digits of matching SN in backstrap channel. Cyl has the Dragoon-Indian fight scene roll marking with the “MODEL U.S.M.R.” and “COLT’S PATENT” cartouches faintly above & below the SN. There were about 10500 3rd Model Dragoon revolvers produced in the period 1851-1861, very few of which had the 8″ bbl. Having been produced just at the onset of the Civil War, it is almost with certainty that one could state that this revolver saw service during the Civil War and later on the American frontier. These revolvers, although large and heavy were still popular for their stopping power and longer range shooting. This revolver has 3-screw frame not cut for shoulder stock. Few of these revolvers survive, especially those with 8″ bbls. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Very good, all matching including wedge, cyl & grip. No orig finish remains, being an overall smooth grey/brown patina with scattered nicks & scratches and light surface etching. Cylinder is matching patina and shows 75-80% Dragoon-Indian fight scene roll marking with faint cartouches. Trigger guard & backstrap show an old cleaning with medium mustard patina. Grip has a chipped left toe, otherwise is sound with light edge wear and retains most of an old restored finish. Mechanics are fine. Strong bright bore with fine pitting. 49059-57 JR (7,000-10,000) – Lot 3138
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3139
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$5,750.00 |
RARE COLT 3RD MODEL DRAGOON PERCUSSION REVOLVER WITH 8″ BARREL.
SN 19471. Cal. 44. Usual configuration with rare 8″ oct to rnd bbl, nickel silver front sight and 1-line New York City address. Left side of frame has a small COLTS PATENT. The silver plated, brass trigger guard & backstrap contain a replacement 1-pc walnut grip. Cylinder has 4 of the 6 safety pins a little mashed but serviceable. Although the 3rd Model is the highest production of the dragoon series, those with 8″ bbls are some of the most rare. There were about 10500 of this model produced in the period 1851-1861, very few of which had the 8″ bbl. Having been produced just prior to the onset of the Civil War it can be stated almost with certainty that this revolver would have served throughout the war and probably later on the American frontier until replaced by the cartridge revolver. This revolver saw extensive service is without doubt. The cylinder spindle slot has been repaired at the front end with a forged spacer and the rear face of the bbl lug relieved to decrease the spacing between face of the cylinder and forcing cone. This repair also necessitated a replacement, gunsmith made wedge. CONDITION: Good to very good. No orig finish remains being an overall dark grey patina with fine frosty surface etching and some fine pitting on sides of frame. Trigger guard & backstrap retains traces of orig finish being a lemony brass patina. Cylinder is matching patina to the frame with fine surface pitting. Grip is fine showing light edge wear. Mechanics are fine. Strong dark bore. 49432-116 JR (5,000-8,000) – Lot 3139
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3140
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$20,125.00 |
FINE RARE AND EARLY CASED COLT BABY DRAGOON PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 2657. Cal. 31. This is a very nice example of an all orig and matching Baby Dragoon made in 1848 with a desirable 5″ oct bbl with 2-line New York address with brackets. These earliest production revolvers are rarely found with any finish and generally saw very hard use. This is a beautiful example that displays well in an orig mahogany Colt casing with tools including a rare, rarely seen “mushroom” shaped combination tool for Baby Dragoons with screwdriver, rammer and nipple wrench all in combination. This early tool is accompanied by a standard Colt “L” shaped tool, a silver plated 2-cavity brass mold and a nice “COLTS PATENT” 2-sided eagle flask. CONDITION: Fine overall. Gun is all matching orig and complete including wedge and grips. Gun is crisp with sharp edges. Well discerned markings, including Indian fight rolled cylinder scene. This gun retains strong traces of thinning blue finish on bbl & cylinder, probably more on cylinder than on bbl. The balance is mostly silver/plum on bbl and blue/plum on cylinder. Frame and hammer have traces of muted light case colors with a balance dark grey. Backstrap & trigger guard retain most of their silver plate with numerous small scratches and blemishes, especially on buttstrap where gun was used as tack hammer and there are numerous small indentations in both wood and metal. Gun functions well and retains its crisp single safety pin. Stocks are sound, solid and well fit with strong areas of orig varnish under a more recently applied varnish layer. Bore is crisp with areas of pitting. Accompanying case is sound and solid with light fading, wear and soiling. The accompanying double-sided eagle “COLTS PATENT” flask retains about 30% orig lacquer with balance a brass patina. Scarce, brass-tipped mushroom shaped gun tool is stained and pitted and missing retaining screw. The L-shaped Colt gun tool retains about 80% orig dull finish. The silver plated 2-cavity brass bullet mold is smooth, retaining about 60% of an applied silver plating. “COLTS PATENT” markings are only partially discernible. 49564-7 JS (17,500-27,500) – Lot 3140
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3141
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$0.00 |
Revised: 9/23/2015
Please Note: This is not a Baby Dragoon, it is a model 1849 which was re-worked to look like a Baby Dragoon.
RARE CASED COLT TRANSITIONAL BABY DRAGOON PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 12326. Cal. 31. This rare 1850 manufactured Baby Dragoon has desirable 6″ bbl, 2-line New York address and brackets with rolled stagecoach holdup scene. Displayed in fine and rare Baby Dragoon Colt casing with formed upper partition with curves to fit loading arm pivot and the trigger guard. Gun appears orig and matching with crisp markings and fully discernible cylinder scene. CONDITION: Gun is very good overall with matching SNs. Metal is grey/brown overall with scattered staining & pitting with traces of orig finish in protected areas. Backstrap and trigger guard retain about 30% orig silver plate. Stocks are well fit retaining about 80% of their thin orig varnish with edge wear. Stocks retain matching last digits of SN inked in backstrap channel. The bottom ear holding loading assembly latch has been repaired, otherwise gun appears “as found”. Mechanically gun functions well with crisp well defined bore with pitting especially at muzzle. Mahogany casing is in matching, very good condition with double-sided eagle flask with Colt’s Patent retaining some orig varnish, but overall mustard colored patina. Orig pack of cartridges with good label though cracked at hinges with broken cartridges and loose powder. Colt L-shaped gun tool is also very good retaining much of its orig finish though dulled. 2-cavity iron Colts Patent bullet mold with sprue cutter is for a later model and in average condition. Japanned Eley Brothers cap tin is also very good retaining some most orig finish though darkened. 49254-16 JS (7,500-10,500) – Lot 3141
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3142
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$4,600.00 |
RARE AND FINE CASED COLT TRANSITIONAL BABY DRAGOON PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 12607. Cal. 31. This cased Colt Baby Dragoon was made in 1850 during last year of production in transition to the standard pocket models which these guns are sometimes referred as with squareback trigger guards. This gun conforms to other transitional Baby Dragoons with 4″ oct bbl and 2-line New York address. Gun has a typical 5-shot smooth cylinder with rolled stagecoach holdup scene, small “COLTS PATENT” stamped on left side of frame, several small cryptic or assembly numbers and letter found on left side of bbl lug, front web of trigger-bow and in rear of trigger guard. This is a well presented, fine Baby Dragoon with loading assembly in nice Colt casing with eagle flask, brass Colt mold, gun tool and caps. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phillip Bleakney. CONDITION: Gun is very good to fine overall retaining about 80% bright blue finish on bbl and traces of blue on cylinder with balance a silver/blue color which appears touched up with 80% plus cylinder scene with pitting. SNs are all matching other than there is no number on grips and wedge number is obscured and numbers visible do not match. Hammer screw is replaced. Frame, hammer and loading assembly have traces of muted case colors with balance silver/grey with light staining and pitting. Patent marking on left side of frame is light and several letters are not visible as can be seen in photos. Backstrap & trigger guard retain about 80% of their thinning orig silver plating. Grips are well fit with traces of orig varnish. Mechanically gun functions well with a crisp bright bore with very light pitting. Accompanying Colt casing is very good overall with about a 6″ crack in top lid of mahogany case. Brown velvet lining is soiled, stained & light faded. The 2-cavity brass bullet mold shows old cleaning and only partial “COLTS PATENT” markings. Double-sided eagle flask has traces of orig varnish, several small dents with mustard colored patina overall. Cap tin complete with green paper label. 49059-68 JS (5,000-8,000) – Lot 3142
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3143
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$132,250.00 |
HISTORIC AND ICONIC AND EXTREMELY FINE CASED PAIR OF COLONEL COLT PRESENTATION MODEL 1860 ARMY PERCUSSION REVOLVERS TO COLONEL JAMES CAMERON WHO DIED HEROICALLY AT THE BATTLE OF FIRST BULL RUN AND ALSO INCLUDES A LARGE FAMILY ARCHIVE.
SN 1856 & 4257. Cal. 44. Fine pair of ’60 Army revolvers with 8″ rnd bbls that have nickel silver front sights and Hartford addresses. Frames are 4-screw type cut for shoulder stock with flat head hammer screws and stock screws and have small “COLTS PATENT” on left front side. The silver plated brass trigger guards and iron backstraps each contain a 1-pc walnut grip, matching numbered to their respective revolver. Cylinders are rebated with Ormsby Naval battle scene roll marking. Accompanied by their orig burgundy velvet lined mahogany casing, compartmented in the bottom for both revolvers, a single sided “COLTS PATENT” trophy of flags and arms flask with angled spout, a blued steel “COLT’S PATENT” bullet and ball mold with sprue cutter, a tin of paper wrapped Ely’s caps, a full sealed packet of 6 combustible .44 cartridges, an open front half of a packet of 6 combustible cartridges by Colt’s Cartridge Works, an L-shaped nipple wrench and, as with most known Col. Colt presentation sets such as offered here there are spare parts in the left front compartment which consists of 2 hammer springs, a trigger return/lock bolt spring, a hand with spring and one nipple. Right rear compartment has 8 lead bullets. This pair of pistols are among the most historic Civil War revolvers ever presented by Samuel Colt. Col. James Cameron and his 79th New York Highlanders were at the center of fighting at the first major battle of the War – “Bull Run”. Attempting to overrun heavy Confederate batteries against a murderous fire, but to no purpose, Cameron fell at the forefront of his men, mortally wounded, shot through both lungs. The Union lost its position on the field and Cameron’s body was not recovered by his family for over a year. There is a massive archive accompanying this grouping telling the remarkable story of how these pistols were separated after their return from the battlefield; the casing and one pistol had gone to his brother William, and the second to his sister who kept the pistol along with other mementos, including his uniform buttons and family photographs plus a tintype of Cameron. This archive numbers over 50 orig wartime photographs, documents and letters plus a fabulous large hand-tinted framed oval albumin photograph with an image that measures 15″ x 12″, his signed commission as Colonel of the 79th New York, ironically signed just 19 days before his death and a fabulous 18″ x 13″ color lithograph announcing the 2nd Annual Ball of the 79th Regiment Highland Guards. The story of these fabulous pistols being reunited is explained in an article by renowned collector Hank Truslow, that appeared in the American Society of Arms Collectors Magazine (2008), Vol. 97, pps 20-22, transcribed here…The inscription on the backstraps of these two civilian model 1860 Colt Army revolvers tells just a part of their story. The recipient, Col. James Cameron, was a brother of Simon Cameron, the first Secretary of War under President Lincoln. The Cameron family was politically influential in Pennsylvania politics and Simon Cameron used this influence to assure Lincoln he had the delegate support needed for the Republican nomination in the election of 1860. In return, Lincoln gave Cameron his choice of Cabinet position, either as Secretary of State or Secretary of War. Cameron chose the War Department post. Simon’s brother William resided in Lewisburg, PA and had vast real estate holdings in Philadelphia as well as in the Lewisburg area. He also owned a bank and, most importantly, the railroad system between Sunbury and Philadelphia known today as the Main Line. Prior to the war, his brother James Cameron had apprenticed as an attorney and worked at the newspaper while managing the railroad station, all in Sunbury. James and his wife Rebecca also operated two farms, one in Milton, PA where they resided and the other in West Chillisquaque township, PA. These properties will reappear later in the presentation. Rebecca was the daughter of Henry Leman, the famed gun maker from Lancaster, PA. The Cameron family had migrated to the Sunbury area from Lancaster in the 1840s. When the war broke out, Simon would do two things that would influence the family for generations. The first was his accomplishment of getting Congress to reimburse the railroads twenty-five cents a head for each soldier it transported. With his brother William controlling the railroads, it is easy to see how William amassed a fortune during the war. The other action taken by Simon would cost the life of his brother James. Simon pressured Governor Morgan of New York to appoint James to a position in the New York militia. Included in my display is a letter from the New York Adjutant General pointing out that it was not legal for a non-resident to serve in a state militia unit. In spite of this, James Cameron’s appointment went through. This commission is also included in the display. I have not yet been able to determine exactly what influence Simon Cameron used on Governor Morgan but the transaction has his fingerprints all over it. Because of these and other hints of corruption, Lincoln was forced by Congress to replace Cameron with Stanton less than a year into his term. Cameron landed on his feet, however, as he became the United States first Minister (now called Ambassador) to Russia. On June 20, 1861 the 79th New York Highlanders held a gala party in Washington, DC to celebrate the election of James Cameron as their Colonel. Simon gave an eloquent speech at this event, not knowing that in a month and a day James would be killed at the Battle of Bull Run. I suspect that it was at this gathering in Washington that Col. Colt presented James Cameron with this pair of pistols and Simon Cameron with the pair of pistols on display at the Civil War Museum in Harrisburg. These are two of the earliest known wartime presentations made by Colt. On July 21, 1861 James Cameron fell mortally wounded while rallying his men at Bull Run. His horse, sword and pistols were recovered on the battlefield and sent to Simon Cameron via James Cameron’s orderly. They were then sent on to William in Lewisburg. For many years, one of the revolvers and the double casing were on display at the Sunbury GAR post. The second revolver was assumed to have been lost and all hope of finding it was lost as well. Remarkably, after the separation of an unknown length of time, the guns were reunited on November 17, 1988. The odds that the pair would be restored have to be astronomical. By chance, Virgil Mylin stopped in at the Pennsylvania Antique Gun Collectors Association fall show. He was on his way to Long Island to deliver some guns that he had sold and decided at the last minute to stop and check out the show. I happened to be at Ted Dolan’s table when Virgil came up and announced that he had a gun presented to James Cameron by Col. Colt. I had never met Virgil and thought right away that he had been put up to play a joke on me by all those in the room who knew I was looking for just such a gun. Only after Virgil showed me the pistol and I showed him the picture of its mate did we realize what had happened. Virgil’s gun had been in the famed Johnnie Basset collection and was found in Indiana. James Cameron had a sister who married a doctor in Indiana, thus leaving Lewisburg. We can only guess that she took one of Jame’s revolvers with her, leaving the other with William. Along with the gun came family images and other artifacts that lead me to believe that this is how and why the guns were separated. As an epilogue, the Cameron family remained powerful in Pennsylvania politics into the 1920s, with Simon’s son J. Donald Cameron influencing much of what went on in Harrisburg. After James’ death at Bull run, his farms were put up for sheriff’s sale by the very bank owned by William. Simon and William purchased both properties for dimes on the dollar and sent widow Rebecca packing to Lancaster with her $300 widow’s dower, thus making them two of the pioneer robber barons of the 19th Century! James Cameron’s body was buried near the Henry house on the battlefield. The Confederates knew where it was but General Beauregard did not allow the body to be returned to the family for over a year. Many negotiators traveled under flags of truce to try to arrange for its return and most of them ended up held as prisoners of war. A newspaper account gave credit to Confederate General Wade Hampton for shooting Col. Cameron, a charge that General Hampton fiercely denied”… Mr. Truslow in this wonderful article cites apparently universal sentiments concerning Simon Cameron, brother of the slain martyr. Two short notes to Simon Cameron which are included as facsimile in this archive have to be transcribed here: 1) “March 29 / Dear General / I understand that you forgive me for all past offenses, yet I am not Christian enough to feel the same towards you as you passed me so “lightly by” when you visit the White House. / Very truly yours / Mary Lincoln”. 2) July 26, 1861 / To General Cameron / Dear Sir / Your cursed ambition has been the cause of the death of your amiable brother. You have pushed yourself into position for which God and nature never intended and you will meet your reward by the midnight howls of your conscious. Your case is “that of the frog” trying to blow himself up to be as big as the ox and the result a “bust up”. / Yours respectfully / T. Doughtery. This is one of the most interesting archives one can ever read; just the drama involved in recovering his effects and his body would make an interesting book or movie. This pair of orig Col. Colt presentation revolvers are one of the most historic and iconic pair ever offered by James D. Julia Auctions and also is extremely fine condition. CONDITION: Both revolvers are identical configuration and all matching except wedges, which are unnumbered. 1) Revolver #1856 is very fine with the bbl retaining about 70% glossy orig blue, mixed with light patina and a couple small spots of rust. Rammer handle and pivot retain bright case colors. Frame retains virtually all of its orig bright case colors, slightly faded. Hammer retains bright case colors on the right side, more faded on the left and rear edges. Cylinder retains about 35-40% orig blue in the rebated area with the larger diameter mostly blue brown patina and shows about 80% Naval battle scene roll marking. All 6 safety pins are servicable. Trigger guard & front strap retain 92-93% orig silver. Backstrap & buttstrap are cleaned bright metal. Grip is sound with sharp edges and a couple of small nicks and overall retains about all of its bright orig varnish. Mechanics are fine. Bright shiny bore with scattered pitting. 2) Revolver #4257 is also very fine. Bbl retains 15-20% orig blue with the balance having flaked to a light patina. Rammer pivot retains bright case colors, turning silver on the handle. Frame retains very bright case colors on right side and in sheltered areas on left side, a little faded elsewhere. Recoil shields are moderately faded. Hammer retains dark case colors, brilliant on back edge. Cylinder retains about 50% thin orig blue and shows about 80% Naval battle scene roll marking. Trigger guard retains about 65% orig silver, thin with brass showing through on front strap. Backstrap & buttstrap retain traces of silver being mostly cleaned metal patina. Grip has 3 or 4 small gouges with flaking around the bottom edges and sides and overall retains about 65-70% orig varnish. Hammer will not catch in half-cock notch, otherwise mechanics are fine. Bright shiny bore with a few small spots of pitting. Wedge is a replacement. Case has a crack across the lid with a short grain check, 3 or 4 small grain checks in the bottom and overall retains most of an old refinish. Interior is heavily faded, being mostly a gold color inside the lid with a rectangular patch of burgundy color where something had been placed there for many years. Bottom is also heavily faded with light soil and damage from front sights. Flask has 3 or 4 small dents on backside and shows about 70% orig finish. Mold is crisp with about 90% orig blue with the loss areas flaked. Other accessories and parts are fine. Documents and photographs accompanying are very good overall. Hard images, buttons and other artifacts contained in a “Remembrance Box” are also very good. The framed New York State Commission appears dry mounted with cracks and a tear on right side with foxing and acid burn, but ink inscriptions are dark and completely legible. The large watercolor albumin photo is in very good to fine condition in contemporary gold leaf gesso frame with small spots of foxing and acid burn, unaffecting aesthetics. Framed color lithograph of Annual Ball of the 79th appears fine overall though not removed to check for mounting. 49633-1 JS (100,000-150,000) – Lot 3143
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3144
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$28,175.00 |
EXTREMELY RARE CASED DOUBLE SET OF ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY PERCUSSION REVOLVERS.
SN 159780/159793. Cal. 44 Revolvers are virtually identical with 8″ rnd bbls, nickel silver front sights and 1-line New-York U.S. America addresses. Left side of frames, about center are engraved with “COLTS PATENT” in a pillow shape. Left front web of trigger guards have the caliber marking. Frames are 3-screw type with usual rebated cylinders that have Ormsby Naval Battle scene roll marking. The silver plated brass trigger guards and iron backstraps contain old replacement, varnished burl walnut 1-pc grips. Revolvers are identically engraved by Gustave Young in late vine pattern with full coverage foliate arabesque patterns without background shading on the frames. Matching engraving extends up both sides of bbl lugs and terminates just forward of the addresses. Trigger guards & backstraps are matching engraved with Mr. Young’s trademark fan pattern on the top flats. SNs on the bottom of both revolvers are all accompanied by the small letters “I.P.” which signifies that they were to have ivory grips and receive special polishing for engraving. Trigger guard on No.159780 has been thinned & beveled. Accompanied by what is probably their orig burgundy velvet lined mahogany double casing with brass reinforced corners and a brass plaque in the lid that is engraved “JJS”. Interior is compartmented for the two revolvers, a presentation style silver plated trophy of arms & flags “COLTS PATENT” flask with long straight spout, a bow-legged brass 2-cavity “COLTS PATENT” mold with sprue cutter that has had the cavities polished which heavily beveled edges of cavities, a soft packet of waterproof cartridges dated “March 18, 1862”, an L-shaped nipple wrench and two lacquered tins of Eley’s caps. Engraved Model 1860 revolvers, while not uncommon, are still scarce and are seldom encountered. Double cased sets are extremely rare. Special Note: This item contains or is made of ivory. Do not bid on this lot unless you have read and agreed to our "Ivory Position Statement" and the "Waiver of Legal and Financial Risk to James D. Julia in regards to your Purchase of an Ivory Object." This information is located in the front section of our catalog. CONDITION: Revolvers are both all matching except grips, as noted. They are virtually identical in condition, being mostly grey metal patina with fine pitting around the muzzle of 159780. Cylinders are matching patina and show about 50% Ormsby Naval Battle scene roll marking. No. 159793 has a replaced hammer screw and backstrap screws are battered. The replacement grips are extremely fine with sharp edges and retain about all of their fine custom hand rubbed oil finish. Mechanics are fine; bore on 159793 is bright & shiny; bore on 159780 has strong rifling with some shine and moderate pitting. Case has a couple of cracks in the top with some lifted veneer and some grain checks in the bottom, otherwise is sound and retains most of a very old restored finish; lining in the lid is lightly faded with light soil; bottom is heavily faded with cleaned heavy soil; partitions are solid; flask has some small dents in the back and overall retains 65-70% thin orig silver finish; mold has pitted sprue cutter and has been heavily polished including the cavities in the left arm which have dished the edges effectively ruining the mold; cartridge packet is still sealed with one small tear on the top and missing parts of the label, but still a very rare packet; nipple wrench is fine; cap tins are flaked with soiled labels. The two compartment lids utilize 10.5mm turned “certifiable antique ivory” finials. 49254-1 JR160 IVORY (25,000-35,000) – Lot 3144
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3145
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$0.00 |
CASED ENGRAVED & GOLD-PLATED COLT MODEL 1860 FLUTED ARMY PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 5252. Cal. 44. Gold finish with 8″ rnd bbl, altered front sight with most of bbl address worn away. Left side of frame has “COLTS PATENT” and it has brass trigger guard with iron backstrap that contains a 1-pc “certifiable antique ivory” grip with deep relief Mexican eagle on left side. Buttstrap has a lanyard stud & ring. Frame is 4-screw type cut for shoulder stock with stock screws replaced. Cylinder is of the early full fluted type. Revolver is engraved by Nimschke with full coverage intertwined foliate arabesque patterns with pearled background on the frame. Sides of hammer nose are engraved with a wolf’s head with fish scales on the spur and foliate arabesque patterns down the sides. Engraving extends over sides of bbl terminating well in front of the bbl address with patterns around muzzle. Rammer pivot is engraved to match with a rope pattern around rammer handle. Top of backstrap is engraved with a fan pattern with foliate arabesque patterns near top at the heel, on buttstrap & trigger guard. Cylinder is beautifully engraved with diamond & dot patterns in front of flutes and foliate arabesque patterns in rear of flutes. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter that identifies this revolver in 44 caliber with an 8″ bbl, “blue/brass” finish with wood stocks and shipped to the U.S. Navy Yard New York on May 9, 1861 in a shipment of 250 guns. Accompanied by a fine English style green velvet lined mahogany casing with concealed handle in the lid with center medallion engraved “LB”. Interior is compartmented, English style for the revolver, a blued bullet and ball “COLT’S PATENT” mold with sprue cutter, marked on right side “44 H”, a replacement brass eagle and stars flask, a tin of W. & C. Eley caps, a soft packet of six waterproof cartridges by Hazard Powder, a pewter oil bottle, an all steel cleaning rod and inside the covered compartment additional Eley combustible cartridges. Also accompanied by a letter signed Max H. Preusler dated June 29, 2009 wherein he states that this revolver has belonged to his family since Mr. Thord Hallstrom-Gray (Ivor Thord-Gray) received it during the Mexican Civil War 1913-14, when he fought under Pancho Villa’s command. My maternal grandfather, Brig. Arne Hallstrom, received it as a gift from Thord (his father’s brother), and Mr. Preusler inherited it from his grandfather. Additionally included is a letter dated Aug. 2009 from Claes Andersson, Arms & Armour Department, Stockholm Auction house, wherein he states that he could confirm that he first saw the revolver in 2001 and that the Stockholm Auction house had sold at least seven items from the Ivor Thord-Gray Collection which came from other parts of the Hallstrom Family. He states that he confirms Mr. Preusler’s statement in the above letter. Additionally accompanied by Mr. Thord-Gray’s book Gringo Rebel published 1960, a first edition with original dust cover. Also accompanied by 2 books in Swedish Ivor Thord Gray, Soldat Under 13 Fanor (English translation: Soldier under 13 Banners) and Mannen Som Hittade Tarzan (English translation: The Man Who Found Tarzan). Consignor states that he obtained this revolver from the family of Ivor Thord-Gray who was a Swedish-born U.S. citizen and soldier of fortune who fought in thirteen wars on four continents from 1897 thru WWI and the Russian Revolution. He was a linguist and scholar and an author. He also authored an 1,100 page dictionary of English to the native tongue of the Tarahumara Indians. Mr. Thord-Gray, spent his military service in various countries, but the one we are most concerned with here is his time spent fighting in the Mexican Revolution, 1913-1914 which he memorialized in his book Gringo Rebel: Mexico 1913-1914, a copy of which accompanies this lot. Mr. Thord-Gray earned many honors during his military career along with honors for scholarship including membership in the Royal Academy of Sciences of Uppsala and a degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the same university for his work in linguistics. He became a trustee of the American Classical League, 1930; a member of the Royal Geographic Society; The Geological Society of London and the Archeological Institute of America. Mr. Thord-Gray inadvertently was the impetus for Edgar Rice Burroughs’ fictional character, Tarzan of the Apes. Apparently in the early 1930’s Mr. Thord-Gray wrote a letter from Stockholm to the President of the Adventurer’s Club of New York relating an incident that occurred while he was on patrol with a mounted police unit in South Africa. He heard the story of a child who had been kidnapped by a band of baboons who frightened the servant/babysitter into running back to the parents who came immediately but could find no trace of the young boy. Although the parents searched diligently they were never able to locate the child. About ten years later Mr. Thord-Gray was in the area of the Drakensberg Mountains when his group of surveyors inadvertently trapped a band of baboons in a box canyon. One of the baboons was blond and very agile and took off up the mountainside with the others. About half way up the cliff he lost his footing and fell to his death. This was apparently the child that had been stolen by the baboons. Eventually Mr. Burroughs somehow heard the story and created his fictional character on that basis. Mr. Thord-Gray states in his book and apparently in notes left with the above mentioned Brig. Arne Hallstrom that he obtained this beautiful revolver when he was fighting in the Mexican Revolution, probably in 1914 under Gen. Blanco and Carranza. When the situation among the Revolutionaries, for whom Thord-Gray was fighting, came to a standstill with in-fighting among the various groups, Mr. Thord-Gray suggested that Carranza & Blanco send an emissary to Emiliano Zapata to try to patch things up. At first they said it would be impossible but when Mr. Thord-Gray volunteered to lead with a squadron of 100 mounted Yaqui Indian warriors as an escort, they agreed to the plan. He states as he was preparing to leave Gen. Blanco “handed me a very handsome 44 Colt revolver, exquisitely chased with gold inlay” and asked him to give it to Zapata with 200-rds of ammunition as a token of friendship. After a perilous journey over 13,000 foot mountains and skirmishes with various other revolutionaries he reached what he thought was Zapata’s camp. When he became nearly trapped he sent a scout ahead to contact Zapata who was able to meet a Col. Morales who Mr. Thord-Gray had met previously in Mexico City. Initially he and his men were disarmed and taken into custody but when he was informed of the purpose of the “mission” he left right away to try to find Zapata. Before Col. Morales left Mr. Thord-Gray gave him the gun & ammunition that he had brought as a gift to Zapata. Late the next day Col. Morales returned with the news that he had been unable to contact Zapata and returned the revolver to Mr. Thord-Gray. And, as the saying goes, the rest is history. Apparently Mr. Thord-Gray kept the revolver for himself as is evidenced by the letters from his descendants, although there is some conflicting information in Mr. Thord-Gray’s book. Special Note: This item contains or is made of ivory. Do not bid on this lot unless you have read and agreed to our "Ivory Position Statement" and the "Waiver of Legal and Financial Risk to James D. Julia in regards to your Purchase of an Ivory Object." This information is located in the front section of our catalog. CONDITION: Fair to good, all matching except grip which is unnumbered. Bbl lug SN has been re-stamped. Overall shows heavy wear with most of the engraving still visible, sharp in some places. One of the frame stock screws is a replacement and wedge screw is missing. Cyl spindle is a little loose in frame. Grip is sound with age lines, showing heavy wear and retains a cleaned ivory patina. Mechanics are a little stiff, the hand having been replaced (the orig accompanies), otherwise mechanics are fine, worn dark bore. Book is very fine with slightly worn dust cover. Case has a crack in the lid, otherwise it is extremely fine with light handling and storage nicks and scratches and retains 96-98% orig varnish. Interior is lightly faded with light soil. Mold retains about 75% orig blue. Flask, a replacement, has a couple of small dents with replaced spring and slightly damaged spout. Flask slot in the case is for a Dixon style bag-shaped flask. Other accessories are fine. 49254-15 JR378 IVORY (25,000-35,000) – Lot 3145
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3146
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$23,000.00 |
EXTREMELY FINE CIVIL WAR MARTIALLY MARKED COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 129,032. Cal. 44. This is an extremely fine example of a martial 1863 US cavalry purchased Colt Army revolver. Blue & color case hardened with 8″ rnd bbl, German silver front sight and 1-line U.S. America address. Frame has “COLTS PATENT” stamped on left side and is 3-screw style. Cyl is usual rebated style with 6-chambers and Ormsby Naval battle scene roll marking. All of the safety pins are crisp and serviceable. The brass trigger guard & iron backstrap contain a 1-pc walnut grip with last four digits of SN found in grip channel. Both sides of grip have crisp cartouches “JT” (John Taylor) and “JSD” (LT. John S. Dudley) several of the metal parts have inspector initials. According to Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms about 127,000 Model 1860 revolvers were purchased by the Federal Government for use in the Civil War. The vast majority of these revolvers were issued to front line troops and was the most extensively used handgun throughout the Civil War. This particular example is totally original and matching in every regard and has identical condition from muzzle to butt, you can not find a more honest Civil War example in such extremely fine condition. CONDITION: Extremely fine overall, all matching and original. Bbl retains about 90% orig blue with a few dings and dents around wedge slot and small areas of pin prick pitting near muzzle. “Feathering” in finish is easily discerned around sight and loading arm catch. Frame, hammer, and loading arm retain much of their bright case colors with balance muted and silver/gray. Cyl retains about 60 – 70% of its original blue finish and shows virtually all of its crisp and well discerned Ormsby Naval battle scene. Trigger guard exhibits a smooth yellow brass patina. Backstrap & buttstrap retain about 60 – 70% of their thinning original blue finish with the balance gray/plum. Grip is sound, solid, well fit with very good discernible inspector cartouches with edge wear as can be seen in photos. Mechanics are excellent and bore is crisp, shiny and well discerned. 49382-3 JS (20,000-30,000) – Lot 3146
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3148
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$5,462.50 |
RARE MARTIALLY MARKED COLT MODEL 1860 FLUTED ARMY 3-SCREW VARIATION PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 1444. Cal. 44. Blue & color case hardened with 7-15/16″ rnd bbl, nickel silver front sight and 1-line New York U.S. America address. Frame has “COLTS PATENT” over a small “U.S.” and the cal is marked on left shoulder of trigger guard. Frame is the rare 3-screw version cut for shoulder stock with flat head hammer screw. There are only about 4,000 fluted Army revolvers produced and of that number consignor states that there were only about 400 of the 3-screw variation. Cyl is full fluted with patent date in one flute and SN in another. The brass trigger guard and blued steel backstrap contain a replacement 1-pc varnished walnut grip with matching SN in backstrap channel. Left side of grip has a “JT” (John Taylor) inspector cartouche and right side has a “WHR” (William H. Roberts) sub-inspector cartouche. Trigger guard, backstrap, cyl & bbl all have small “D” inspector initials. Bbl has a slightly trimmed muzzle. Frame, hammer, rammer, cyl & backstrap are Tommy Haas quality restorations, as is the grip. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching as noted above. Bbl, as noted has a slightly angled, flat crown and retains about 60-70% glossy orig factory blue with the loss area flaked to a medium patina; rammer & handle retain bright Colt-style case colors; frame & hammer also retain bright Colt-style restored case colors; cyl retains bright blue in the flutes, thin on the outer diameter and show all 6 safety pins crisp and serviceable; trigger guard is a medium mustard patina. Backstrap retains about 60% glossy Colt-style blue with center of backstrap bare metal. The replacement grip shows edge wear with a few nicks and retains about 75% varnish. Mechanics are fine, strong bore, frosty & pitted in the grooves. 49151-1 JR (5,000-8,000) – Lot 3148
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3150
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$0.00 |
SCARCE NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED CASED COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 142783. Cal. 44. Usual configuration with 8″ rnd bbl, German silver front sight and 1-line New-York U.S. America address. Left side of frame is marked with a small “COLTS PATENT”. Cyl is rebated with usual six chambers and Ormsby Naval Battle scene roll marking. All six safety pins are somewhat serviceable. The brass trigger guard and iron backstrap contain a 1-pc checkered “certifiable antique elephant” ivory grip with deep relief, raised carved Mexican eagle on the left side. Grip is of early construction which consists of two slabs of ivory attached to a center ivory spacer. Grip does not fit well and is not orig to this revolver. Revolver is spectacularly engraved in L.D. Nimschke style with the most elaborate and fabulously detailed foliate arabesque patterns with full coverage on the frame. Engraving patterns extend over the bbl lug and onto the bbl and rammer pivot. Backstrap & trigger guard are engraved to match. Buttstrap is unusually engraved in diamond & dot patterns. Rebated area of the cyl is engraved in diamond patterns. The number “3” in the serial numbers on the bbl lug, frame & trigger guard appear to have been stamped over a “2”, possibly at the factory. Trigger guard is engraved by another hand. Accompanied by an orig burgundy velvet lined Colt casing, compartmented in the bottom for the revolver, a double sided trophy of arms & flags “COLTS PATENT”, angle spout flask, a steel “COLT’S PATENT” bullet mold with sprue cutter and a most elaborate Gutta Percha cap box with the deep relief medallion of “ARTHUR DUKE OF WELLINGTON” with image of Wellington in uniform on top. The bottom has a similar medallion of Wellington’s tomb depicting a trophy of arms with a warrior, an angel and a subservient male lion. Caption of this medallion is “BRITANNIA MOURNS HER HERO NOW AT REST” and the bottom of this medallion is marked “WATERLOO / JUNE 18, 1815”. Special Note: This item contains or is made of ivory. Do not bid on this lot unless you have read and agreed to our "Ivory Position Statement" and the "Waiver of Legal and Financial Risk to James D. Julia in regards to your Purchase of an Ivory Object." This information is located in the front section of our catalog. CONDITION: Very good, all matching except grip. No orig finish remains, being a cleaned dark grey metal patina with pitting on each side of the muzzle. The “U.S.” in the bbl address apparently was defaced and now re-stamped; the brass trigger guard was never silver plated and now retains a light mustard patina; backstrap is grey metal patina matching the frame; cyl is also a matching patina and shows 20-30% Ormsby Naval Battle scene roll marking. Grip has numerous age lines with chipped toes and a small crack on the left side and shows moderate wear, retaining a wonderful ivory patina. Mechanics are fine; bright shiny bore with scattered pitting. Case has a grain check in the bottom, otherwise is sound with light nicks & scratches and retains an old restored finish; flask has several nicks, dings & dents with an open seam and missing spring; mold has fine pitting and an artificially aged patina; cap box is extremely fine. 49254-6 JR158 IVORY (10,000-15,000) – Lot 3150
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3152
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$0.00 |
CASED COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 174796. Cal. .44. Blue and color case hardened with 8″ rnd bbl. Slightly altered nickel silver front sight and 1-line New-York U.S. America address. Left side of frame has a small “COLTS PATENT” and left shoulder trigger guard is marked “.44 cal”. The silver plated brass trigger guard and blue steel backstrap contain a 1-pc walnut grip with the last 3 digits of matching SN in backstrap channel. Cyl is rebated with 6 chambers and Ormsby Naval Battle Scene roll mark. 4 of the 6 safety pins are serviceable. Accompanied by an orig burgundy velvet lined mahogany casing, compartmented in the bottom for the revolver and a bullet and ball “COLTS PATENT” mold with spure cutter. Front center compartment has a quantity of bullets and balls. Other 3 compartments are empty except for a functioning key. Inside the lid has an attached copy of “DIRECTIONS FOR LOADING COLT’S PISTOLS” label. There were about 200,500 of these pistols produced in the period 1860 – 1873. By the SN it is apparent that this pistol was produced well after the Civil War, however it almost certainly would have been used on the American Frontier, probably well into the late 1870s, early 1880s. Few of these fine revolvers survive today with orig finish and still fewer are cased. CONDITION: Fine, all matching including wedge, cyl and grip. Overall retains most of a blued finish, thinning on left side of bbl. Rammer and handle show restored blue finish. Frame shows strong restored blue over its color case hardened finish. Cyl is a smooth, light brown patina with traces of blue and shows 60-70% Naval Battle Scene roll marking. Trigger guard is a medium mustard patina and the backstrap shows about 95% restored blue. Grip is sound with usual nicks and scratches and retains about 95-97% orig varnish. Mechanics are fine, strong bright bore with scattered light pitting. Case is sound, with the exterior showing a cleaned dull finish on the lid and strong varnish on the sides and edges, interior is moderately faded and soiled with solid partitions. Label is yellowed with scattered staining. This is a fine 1860 Army case that could be carefully restored. 49432-58 JR (5,000-7,000) – Lot 3152
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3153
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$0.00 |
CASED COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 90961. Cal. .44. Usual configuration with 8″ rnd bbl, slightly reduced nickel silver front sight and 1-line New-York U.S. America address. Left side of frame has a small “COLTS PATENT”. Frame is 3-screw type cut for shoulder stock with flat head hammer screw. The brass trigger guard and steel backstrap contain a 1-pc walnut grip with last 4 digits of matching SN in backstrap channel. Although the cartouches are worn away this is undoubtedly a martial revolver with small inspector initial over all of the visible parts, including cyl, backstrap, trigger guard and bbl. Accompanied by an orig purple velvet lined mahogany casing that is compartmented in bottom for the revolver with empty compartments that would contain a flask, mold and other implements. Front center compartment contains lead bullets and balls. About 200,500 of these fine revolvers were produced in the period 1860 – 1873. They were one of, if not the most favorite sidearm during the Civil War. Large numbers were purchased by the U.S. Government with many more private purchased by individual soldiers. These Civil War era revolvers generally saw very hard service under adverse conditions which continued on the American Frontier with units fighting Indians well into the late 1870s/1880s. This appears to be one of those hard used revolvers to which has been added this fine case. CONDITION: Revolver is very good, all matching including wedge, cyl and grip. Overall retains a smooth, cleaned gray metal patina. Trigger guard retains a mustard patina. Grip has a repaired left toe and shows heavy wear with a hand worn patina. Hammer is not solid in half cock notch, otherwise mechanics are fine. Strong bore with fine pitting. Case has a crack in the lid, otherwise is fine with numerous small nicks and scratches with moderate soil and shows about 75% orig finish. Interior is lightly to moderately faded with moderate to heavy soil in the bottom and a re-glued center partition. 49432-55 JR (4,000-7,000) – Lot 3153
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3154
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$0.00 |
VERY EARLY AND SPECIAL CASED SAMUEL COLT PRESENTATION MODEL 1849 POCKET PERCUSSION REVOLVER PRESENTED TO THE ORGANIZER OF THE WORLD FAMOUS CRYSTAL PALACE EXHIBITION IN LONDON.
SN 36651. Cal. 31. Blue and color case hardened with 5″ oct bbl, brass pin front sight and two line “New York City” address with brackets. Left side the frame has tiny “COLTS PATENT” and the small guard silver plated brass trigger guard and backstrap contain a one piece walnut grip with last four digits of matching serial number in the back strap channel. Back strap is engraved in old English and period script “Presented To Mr. G. Whiting / by Col. Saml Colt 1851”. Mr. Whiting was the organizer of the world renowned Crystal Palace Exhibition. Accompanied by a rare, special made brown velvet lined English oak casing with brass medallion in lid and swinging English latches on the front, with a mortised brass lock and round escutcheon in the front. Bottom is compartmented for the revolver with a recess for the cylinder, a single sided revolver flask, a two cavity brass Colt’s Patent mold without sprue cutter, an L-shaped nipple wrench and an early lacquered tin of Ely’s caps. Covered right rear compartment contains cast lead bullets and balls. This exact cased set is pictured in color as Fig. 3 on pg. 252 of COLT’S POCKET ’49, Jordan & Watt. Back strap of this revolver is pictured as Fig. 2 on pg. 231 of the referenced publication. This casing is a special made for presentation at the London Exhibit at the Crystal Palace and is one of the first known uses of the “Col. Saml Colt” wording on a firearm presentation, possibly even before he used the title in the US. CONDITION: Revolver is very good, all matching including wedge and grip. Bbl retains 60-70% thin, orig blue turning plum over the top. Rammer retains smoky case colors, stronger on the left side of the pivot. Frame retains smoky, thin, faded case colors with unusual polishing marks. Trigger guard and back strap retain strong orig silver plating with the exposed areas a medium mustard patina. Cylinder is a gray-brown patina and retains about 75-80% stagecoach holdup scene. Grip is sound showing moderate edge wear with light nicks and scratches and retains about 85% orig varnish. Mechanics are fine. Strong bright bore with scattered pitting. Case is sound with usual handling and storage nicks & scratches and retains most of its orig varnish. Interior is moderately to heavily faded with moderate to heavy soil in the bottom, partitions are sound. Flask is fine and retains about 50-60% orig finish. Mold is crisp and appears unused with a few minor nicks and scratches. Cap tin is good. 49564-6 JR (20,000-30,000) – Lot 3154
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3155
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$0.00 |
RARE CASED SILVER-FINISHED AND ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1849 POCKET PERCUSSION REVOLVER W/POSSIBLE GARABALDI GUARD CONNECTION.
SN 187177. Cal. 31. Nickel finish with 6″ oct bbl, scarce dovetailed front sight with 1-line New-York U.S. America address. Left side of frame has “COLT’S PATENT” engraved in a pillow shape. Cyl has stagecoach hold-up scene roll marking and six chambers. The brass, large guard trigger guard and backstrap contain a spectacular 1-pc “certifiable antique elephant ivory” grip that has the raised, carved head on the left side of a man who appears to be that of Guiseppe Garabaldi for whom a unit called the Garabaldi Guard was named. It was raised in May of 1861 and mustered into service Jun. of 1861 and fought completely through the war and was mustered out July 1865. They had a very distinguished career and fought in a number of significant battles including Gettysburg and several other hotly contested battles. They had eight officers and 107 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded during their service along with one officer and 158 enlisted men died from disease. Revolver is engraved by Gustave Young with full coverage foliate arabesque patterns on the frame which has several scrolls terminating in flower blossoms. Engraving extends over the bbl lug and rammer pivot with Mr. Young’s trademark dogs head on the left side and flower blossoms on the right side. Backstrap, buttstrap & trigger guard are engraved to match with Mr. Young’s trademark fan pattern at the top. Hammer is also deluxe engraved with wolfs heads on each side of the hammer nose. Accompanied by a rare burgundy velvet lined Colt maple or applewood casing that has the colorful figure of a man in very early style clothing applied to the lid. Interior is compartmented, probably for a 6-1/2″ Colt Model 1862 Police percussion revolver, a silver plated double-sided eagle & stars flask, a silver plated “Colts Patent” mold without sprue cutter, a silver plated L-shaped nipple wrench, a partial packet of combustible cartridges, a “certifiable antique elephant ivory” screw-top bits box with Eley cap tin label on top, a pair of dice and an ivory pendant. All of the serial numbers on the bottom of the revolver are accompanied by a small “I” which indicates it was to receive ivory grips. Several of the screw heads are engraved, as are ends of wedge. There is a drawing in the accompanying pages which shows the Garibaldi Guard marching past Pres. Lincoln in 1861. Their uniforms resemble the colorful figure on top of the case. Special Note: This item contains or is made of ivory. Do not bid on this lot unless you have read and agreed to our "Ivory Position Statement" and the "Waiver of Legal and Financial Risk to James D. Julia in regards to your Purchase of an Ivory Object." This information is located in the front section of our catalog. CONDITION: Very good to fine, all matching except grip. Overall retains most of an old silver finish with some scattered fine pitting; cyl retains most of its plated finish and shows about 30% stagecoach hold-up scene roll marking; hammer screw, wedge screw, trigger guard and top of the backstrap screws are replacements. Grip has a couple of age lines but is completely sound with a wonderful, mellow ivory patina. Mechanics are fine; strong bore with moderate pitting. Case has a couple of grain checks in the lid and a few more in the bottom, otherwise is sound with a few light nicks & scratches and retains most of what appears to be it’s orig finish; interior is lightly faded & soiled with solid partitions; flask retains about all of its orig silver finish; mold retains most of its silver finish; cartridge packet has been opened and repaired; other accessories are fine. 49254-2 JR145 IVORY (25,000-35,000) – Lot 3155
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3156
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$8,970.00 |
VERY FINE FACTORY ENGRAVED CASED COLT MODEL 1849 POCKET REVOLVER.
SN 59664. Cal. 31. Blue & color cased hardened with 6″ oct bbl, pin front sight & engraved “Saml Colt” address. Left side of the frame is engraved “COLTS PATENT” in a double arc shape. The silver plated brass trigger guard & backstrap contain a nicely figured varnished burl walnut 1-pc grip with last four digits of matching SN in the backstrap channel. Cylinder is 5 shots with stagecoach hold up scene roll marking. Revolver is beautifully engraved in 1853 when famous engraver Gustave Young was first working with Colt. Gun exhibits full coverage foliate arabesque patterns on the frame which extend over the bbl lug & top side flats with matching patterns on the rammer pivot. One scroll on the left side of frame terminates in stylized eagle head, other on recoil shield terminates in eagle and a snake or serpentine head,and others terminate in flower blossoms. Matching pattern engraving is also on the backstrap, buttstrap & trigger guard. Hammer is deluxe engraved with foliate arabesque patterns on the shank, an eagle’s head on each side of the hammer nose, fish scale patterns on the sides of the spur & top edge with a hand checkered spur. SN’s on the bottom of the revolver and buttstrap are accompanied by a small punch mark which is thought to signify extra polishing for engraving. Accompanied by an orig blue velvet lined mahogany casing compartmentalized in the bottom for a “COLTS PATENT” eagle and stars pocket sized flask, a brass 2 cavity “COLTS PATENT” mold with sprue cutter, wood handled cleaning tool, L-shaped gun tool, paper wrapped wood block pack of cartridges and a small cap tin. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching except wedge which is numbered “0472” but has matching patina and engraving. Bbl retains over 80% strong blue with some flaking & thinning. Rammer & handle retain dark case colors. Frame & hammer are finished bright with matching color to silver plated backstrap & trigger guard which is 98% intact. Cylinder retains 90% of its cylinder scene with traces of thin blue in protected areas. Cylinder has been polished bright overall with areas of flash pitting especially on one side. Grip has good edges with light wear and a few nicks & scratches and retains most of its varnish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. English style mahogany case is sound & solid with usual handling & storage nicks & scratches and overall retains most of its orig varnish. Interior is very good overall with areas of soiling & wear. Paper label glued inside case has several small reductions, tears & cuts but text for loading is all discernible. Partitions are solid. Flask is average condition retaining traces of varnish and yellow brass patina. Mold is average condition with good patent markings and traces of thin finish. Cartridge pack is sound. Cap tin has reproduction label. About a dozen orig balls, and bullets are retained under partition. There is a non-functional key included for display. 49059-84 JS (10,000-20,000) – Lot 3156
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3157
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$0.00 |
CASED AND ENGRAVED SILVER PLATED COLT MODEL 1849 POCKET MODEL WITH 6″ BARREL AND IVORY GRIPS.
SN 75258. Cal. 31. This beautiful silver plated engraved Colt Pocket conforms to other examples with 6″ bbl, 5 shot, smooth cylinder with stagecoach holdup scene & typical engraved scrolls seen on other contemporary engraved guns made in 1853. Gun has 2-line New York address and plating appears contemporary to time of use. 2-pc smooth ivory grips are “certifiable antique elephant ivory” that are well fit to this gun. The accompanying blue velvet lined case is compartmentalized and holds a 2 cavity brass bullet mold, a “Colts Patent” powder flask with eagle, a pair of composition dice are found in compartment along with paper cap container with New York label. Special Note: This item contains or is made of ivory. Do not bid on this lot unless you have read and agreed to our "Ivory Position Statement" and the "Waiver of Legal and Financial Risk to James D. Julia in regards to your Purchase of an Ivory Object." This information is located in the front section of our catalog. CONDITION: Gun is very good to fine overall. Appears all matching with a re-numbered wedge. Stocks are not SNd but are well fit, matching gun well, have the typical Colt beveling & appear orig to time of plating and engraving which was done after orig manufacture. Safety pins are all intact. Stagecoach hold up scene is about 80% visible where polished & plated over as is typically seen. Mechanically gun functions well with crisp bright bore. Mahogany casing is sound & solid. Velvet cushion on top is replaced & re-glued. Rest of lining is worn with soiling, staining & light fading. Flask has traces of orig lacquer, is dented on reverse. Brass bullet mold has no patent marks, with scattered small blemishes and mustard colored patina. Cap container very good with bright labels. 49254-34 JS IVORY (10,000-15,000) – Lot 3157
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3158
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$6,325.00 |
SCARCE COLT LONDON MODEL 1849 POCKET PERCUSSION REVOLVER WITH RARE CASE.
SN 2224. Cal. 31. Blue & color case hardened with 6″ oct bbl, brass pin front sight and 2-line Colt/London address with brackets that have long finials. Left side of frame is marked “COLT’S PATENT”. The Blued steel trigger guard & backstrap contain a varnished 1-pc walnut grip, matching numbered to this revolver in the backstrap channel. Cyl is five chambers with stagecoach hold-up scene roll marking. Left side of bbl lug & cyl have British proofs. Accompanied by a rare burgundy velvet lined mahogany casing that has the rare interior configuration recess for the revolver, a Dixon bag shaped flask, a blued steel bullet & ball mold with sprue cutter marked “COLT’S PATENT” & a small “p” on right side, an L-shaped nipple wrench, a small tin for percussion caps, a brass bits box and a wood handled metal cleaning rod. Right front compartment contain an open packet containing five partial combustible 36 cal cartridges with one missing. There were only about 11,000 of these rare pistols produced 1853-1857. Of that number, only a few were cased, with the case found here the most rare of all. CONDITION: Fine to very fine, all matching including rammer, cyl & grip. Bbl retains about 75% glossy orig blue with the loss areas flaked, not worn to a medium/dark patina. Rammer pivot retains strong case colors. Frame retains about 70% bright case colors on the sides, faded on the recoil shields with fine pitting on top, left, rear side of recoil shield. Cyl retains traces of orig blue, mostly cleaned to bright metal and shows about 90% stagecoach hold-up scene roll marking. Trigger guard & backstrap are a grey patina. Grip is sound showing light edge wear and retains about 90% orig varnish. Hammer is not solid in half cock notch, otherwise mechanics are fine. Bright shiny bore. Case is sound with possibly restored external finish. Interior is heavily faded inside the lid and lining is now a golden/tan color. Bottom retains burgundy color under the implements, faded to tan on the upper surfaces. Flask has broken spring, otherwise is very fine with about 75% orig gold wash on collar & spout. Mold retains traces of orig blue, being mostly a blue/brown patina with sharp cavities. Cap tin, bits box & cleaning rod are fine. Cartridge packet is open and missing one cartridge with the others broken. 49538-5 JR (6,000-8,000) – Lot 3158
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3160
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$5,750.00 |
EXCEPTIONAL CASED COLT MODEL 1849 PERCUSSION POCKET REVOLVER.
SN 262357. Blue & color case hardened with 5″ oct bbl and scarce 6 shot cylinder, brass pin front sight and scarce 1-line New York address. Left side of frame is marked with a small “COLTS PATENT” and it has 6-shot cylinder with stagecoach holdup scene roll marking. The large guard silver plated brass trigger guard & backstrap contain a varnished 1-pc walnut grip with last four digits of matching SN in backstrap channel. Accompanied by an red lined mahogany casing partitioned in the bottom for the revolver, a brass 2-cavity “COLT’S PATENT” mold with sprue cutter, & a dbl sided brass eagle flask. An ELEY cap tin marked “COLT PATENT BELT AND POCKET PISTOLS” on its original label is found in a compartment. This revolver was produced in 1864 during the height of the Civil War and almost certainly would have seen service during the Civil War and later, probably on the American Frontier. These small revolvers were extremely popular from their first production until well into the 1870s when they were supplanted by the advent of the self-contained cartridge revolver. They saw extensive use by frontier people of all walks of life and are rarely found today with such near new condition and almost never with an orig case. This is an exemplary 5″ pocket with a scarce 6-shot cylinder. According to Jordan & Watt in their text on Colt pockets, only 5,700 6-shot variants were made in the Hartford range of over 20,000 pistols. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Excellent overall. All matching including wedge & grip. Bbl retains 97-98% strong orig blue. Rammer pivot & handle retain thin dark case colors; frame & hammer retain brilliant dark case colors over 90% of their surfaces. Cylinder retains about 95% orig bright blue with the balance plum retaining almost 100% crisp rolled stagecoach holdup scene; trigger guard & backstrap retain traces of orig silver plate. Grips are sound and solid, well-fit retaining almost all their original bright varnish with only the slightest edge wear. Mechanics are crisp, very bright shiny bore. Case is sound with a few light handling & storage nicks & scratches. Interior has some light fading, soiling & wear inside. Iron 2-cavity mold is average condition with traces of finish. Flask retains most of its orig varnish retaining a nice dark patina. Cap tin excellent overall retaining most of its orig japanning and fine green paper label. Cartridge pack is sound and solid with discernible label as can be seen. 49059-74 JS (5,000-8,000) – Lot 3160
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3161
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$4,600.00 |
EXCEPTIONAL CASED COLT MODEL 1849 PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 289771. Cal. 31. This is an extremely fine Colt Pocket Model with 4″ bbl and 5-shot cylinder with stagecoach hold up scene. Gun has standard 1-line New York address and other Colt Patent markings. This gun, based on SN, was made 1866. Colt casing which accompanies includes a 2-cavity bullet mold, powder flask with eagle, cap tin, some loose bullets & a non functional key. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Extremely fine overall. Bbl retains 97-98% orig bright blue finish. Cylinder retains about 50% bright blue finish with balance a blue/plum. Loading arm, frame & hammer retain muted case colors overall with scattered staining and pinprick pitting. Backstrap & trigger guard retain strong traces of orig silver plating which has patinaed black with balance a mustard color. Stocks are sound, solid, well fit, retaining virtually all of their orig varnish with edge wear. Mechanically gun is sound and functional with crisp well discerned rifling in bore with areas of rust and pitting. Casing is sound with faded, soiled & stained lining. “COLTS PATENT” bullet mold with sprue cutter retains about 50% thin blue finish. Eagle flask has several small dents, traces of varnish & mustard colored patina. Latch is heavily oxidized. 49059-85 JS (5,000-8,000) – Lot 3161
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3162
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$4,025.00 |
VERY FINE CASED COLT MODEL 1849 POCKET MODEL PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 327660. Cal. 31. This very nice Colt Pocket Model Percussion Revolver was made after the end of Colt percussion production in about 1871 and retains most of its orig finish. This gun is made with 4″ oct bbl with 1-line New York address. There is a patent stamping on left side of frame and trigger guard is marked at the rear with “31 CAL”. Many percussion Colts of this era were converted to cartridge but this example which escaped conversion, is a beautiful example. CONDITION: Revolver is very fine overall with bbl retaining about 90% bright blue finish. Cylinder retains thinning blue finish that is probably touched up with about 80-90% discernible stagecoach holdup scene. SN on cylinder appears to be orig Colt but overstamped over another number. Frame, loading arm & hammer retain about half of their orig muted case colors with balance grey/silver. Backstrap and trigger guard retain 10-20% silver plating. Well fit grips retain about 95% orig varnish with typical storage dings, dents & edge wear. Safety pins are all smashed. Gun mechanically functions well with crisp well defined rifling in pitted bore. Wedge screw is replaced. Accompanying casing is not of Colt manufacture but displays gun adequately with tools which include pewter pistol flask in average condition. Brass 2-cavity bullet mold of Colt style with iron sprue cutter with no discernible markings. Numerous small dings and dents in brass and iron is well patinaed. A later tin of caps has a partial red paper UMC label. There is also a brass spring loaded capper with broken spring. 49432-51 JS (4,000-6,000) – Lot 3162
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3163
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$0.00 |
CASED COLT MODEL 1849 PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 96117. Cal. 31. Standard Model 1849 Colt Pocket Revolver is in standard configuration of other noted models with 4″ oct bbl with 2-line New York address with brackets. Smooth, 5-shot cylinder with well defined stagecoach holdup scene and small “COLTS PATENT” stamped on left side of frame. The accompanying casing displays gun nicely with an eagle and stars pistol flask and “COLT PATENT” bullet mold. CONDITION: Gun is very good overall. All matching and all orig. Gun is grey overall with scattered staining and pitting, fairly sharp edges and good discernible markings. Cylinder retains discernible rolled stagecoach cylinder scene which is about 90% present with scattered light pitting, but matching color to remainder of gun. Brass trigger guard and backstrap retain 10-20% orig silver plating. Stocks are sound, well fit, retaining about 30% orig varnish with scuffs and heavy edge wear. Gun functions well with good discernible rifling in bore. Eagle flask retains about 30-40%, varnish on obverse around eagle and stars with the remainder dark, dirty with mustard colored patina. “COLT PATENT” bullet mold is mostly brown/grey overall with no finish, properly marked “31PTK”. Accompanying caps and loose balls are very good. Casing is sound with faded, soiled and stained blue velvet lining and partitions. 49432-53 JS (4,000-7,000) – Lot 3163
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3164
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$4,887.50 |
EXTREMELY FINE CASED COLT LONDON MODEL 1849 PERCUSSION POCKET MODEL REVOLVER.
SN 296916L. Cal. 31. Blue & color case hardened with 5″ oct bbl, brass pin front sight & 1-line New York address with English proofs on bbl housing and each cylinder. This variety of “London” Colts is of all American-made parts only proofed and finished in England. Left side of frame is marked with a small “COLTS PATENT” and it has 6-shot cylinder with stagecoach holdup scene roll marking. The large guard blued iron trigger guard & backstrap contain a varnished 1-pc walnut grip with last 4 digits of matching SN in backstrap channel. Accompanied by a typical English walnut green velvet lined casing partitioned in the bottom for the revolver and 2-cavity “COLTS PATENT” bullet mold with sprue cutter, wood handled cleaning rod, L-shaped gun tool, japanned tin of Eley caps, pewter oiler & Dixon bag flask. This revolver was produced in 1867, retaining most all of its orig finish. These small revolvers were extremely popular from their first production until well into the 1870s when they were supplanted by the advent of the self-contained cartridge revolver. They saw extensive use by frontier people of all walks of life and are rarely found today with high orig finish and almost never with an orig case and accessories. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Excellent overall, all matching including wedge. Bbl & cylinder retain about 80% orig dark inky blue with a few small scratches & dings, especially around wedge slot; frame, hammer & loading assembly retain dark case colors over most of their surfaces with balance turning silver/grey; cylinder shows almost all of its well-rolled stagecoach holdup scene with cosmetic scratches; trigger guard & backstrap retain over 90% of their strong orig blue finish. Grips are sound, solid and well-fit retaining most of their varnish finish with light edge wear. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. English oak case is sound though well used with numerous dings, dents, & scratches externally; lining in case is soiled with average wear. Paper label for “directions for loading” inside top lid is very good overall with staining, a few small holes and reductions though text is all discernible with desirable red over print and illustrations of Colt arms. 49059-76 JS (5,000-8,000) – Lot 3164
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3165
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$0.00 |
SCARCE CASED COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 102682. Cal. 36. Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2″ oct bbl, brass pin front sight and 1-line New-York U.S. America address. Left side of frame has a small “COLTS PATENT” and the silver plated large guard brass trigger guard & backstrap contain a 1-pc walnut grip with last four digits of matching SN in backstrap channel. Cyl is usual 6-shots with Ormsby Naval battle scene roll marking. Accompanied an orig Colt green velvet lined mahogany casing, compartmented in the bottom for the revolver, a 2-sided, angle spout, eagle & stars Navy size flask, a blued steel “COLT’S PATENT” bullet & ball mold with sprue cutter, an L-shaped nipple wrench, a packet of combustible cartridges, a sealed tin of paper wrapped, blue label Eley’s caps and a functioning key. While Colt Navy revolvers were produced in fairly large quantities from 1851 into 1873, they usually saw hard service on the American frontier then throughout the Civil War and again on the American frontier after the war, usually under harsh circumstances with limited maintenance and therefore are rarely found today with high orig finish. Cased examples are extremely rare. PROVENANCE: Dr. John M. Pickup Collection. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus, all matching including wedge, cyl & grip, may have been fired but if so, very little. Bbl retains 97-98% glossy orig blue with some light muzzle edge wear, faint sharp edge wear and a small spot of flaking along with some very fine scratches around wedge slot; rammer & hammer retain most of their orig case colors, brilliant on the pivot; frame & hammer retain virtually all of their brilliant case colors with bright orig blue on the screws; cyl retains about 95% strong orig blue with some minor flaking, a small drag line and one small spot of damage on rear shoulder; all six safety pins are crisp & serviceable; trigger guard & backstrap retain nearly all of their strong orig silver with small wear spots on heel & toe of buttstrap. Grip is sound with lightly worn edges, a small bruise and a couple of light scratches and overall retains about all of its strong orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with some fine scattered pitting. Case has two grain checks in the bottom, otherwise is sound with light handling & storage nicks & scratches and overall retains virtually all of its strong orig varnish; interior is lightly faded in the lid, moderately faded & soiled in bottom with solid partitions; flask appears to be new & unused retaining 96-98% crisp orig finish with bright gold on collar & spout and bright blue on the spring; mold is equally new with only some minor scratches on right side and a couple of minor dings on left side; cartridge packet & cap tin are fine. 49450-11 JR (45,000-75,000) – Lot 3165
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3166
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$0.00 |
FABULOUS CASED COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 51942. Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2″ oct bbl, brass pin front sight and 1-line block letter New York City address with dashes. Left side of frame has a tiny “COLTS PATENT”. Cylinder has Ormsby naval battle scene roll marking. The silver plated, small guard brass trigger guard & backstrap contain a varnished 1-pc walnut grip. This particular gun, casing and accessories was made in 1856 and is in outstanding condition. The ’51 Navy was one of, if not the most popular side arm on the frontier and later throughout the entire Civil War. You can’t find a much better cased Colt Navy Percussion revolver better than this one. This gun retains virtually all of its orig bright blue on bbl and cyl, beautiful muted case colors, complete silver plate and varnish on grips. The accompanying powder flask with panoply of arms with stars and crossed pistols is also in near new condition retaining virtually of its orig bright finish with scarce “crooked neck” charger. CONDITION: Extraordinarily fine and all matching though not disassembled to check for internal numbers. Bbl retains 97-98% orig bright blue finish with small scratches and nicks around wedge slot. Cyl retains 97-98% bright blue finish with a crisp complete well discerned rolled naval battle scene. Only one orig safety pin remains as others are smashed flat. Frame, loading arm, and hammer retain virtually all of their muted case colors with a silver-gray background with minor scuffs and scratches. Trigger guard and backstrap retain virtually all their orig silver plate with brass exposed slightly at rear toe with edge wear. Stocks retain virtually all their orig bright varnish with a couple small nicks in edges. Mechanically revolver functions properly. With a bright brilliant shiny bore. Mahogany casing is sound, solid, and well fit. Lining is light stained, soiled, and worn where revolver and accessories make contact. Powder flask retains 97-98% of its orig varnish and spring retains 90% of its fire blue. L-shaped gun tool retains 90% of a thin blue. Bullet mold retains about 50% flaking blue finish with numerous small dings and dents on two sides. Cap tin is also fine with good green label with minor reductions. Accompanying key is functional. 49642-2 JS (55,000-75,000) – Lot 3166
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3168
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$13,225.00 |
VERY RARE CASED PAIR COLT ENGRAVED LONDON MODEL 1851 NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVERS.
SN 28318/28324. Cal. 36. This pair of guns were made in 1855 in the standard configuration with 7-1/2″ oct bbls marked “ADDRESS.COL.COLT, LONDON” with long dashes. Typical English powder proofs are found on bbl housing and each cylinder chamber. Guns are profusely engraved in full coverage with typical English scrolls and floral design including rarely seen coverage on first 2″ of muzzles and full length of loading arm and pivot. The fine silver plated trigger guard and backstrap contain a beautiful pair of varnished burl grips. This is a beautiful pair of guns in an orig English oak Colt case fitted for two revolvers, rare “COLTS NAVY FLASK” marked Dixon bag flask. Two L-shaped gun tools and an iron “COLTS PATENT”, 2-cavity bullet mold with sprue cutter and a paper wrapped orig tin of Eley percussion caps. One fitted compartment contains a couple internal gun parts and a frame screw. A functional case key and several loose bullets are also contained in case. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Guns appear all matching including wedges which contain only last 2 numbers of SN. Stocks were not removed but they are so well fit, retaining most of their orig varnish with only edge wear, they appear orig to these guns. Guns are crisp and grey/white overall with old cleaning to metal and small areas of pinprick pitting especially seen on muzzles and cylinders. Markings are all well discerned and crisp though engraving thin on extremities of bbl. Cylinders retain 60-70% of their naval fight cylinder scenes. Guns have clean, smooth bright bores. Neither gun will index and the two hands found in compartment apparently removed from these guns a long time ago and not replaced, one hand is missing its spring found in compartment. Backstraps and trigger guards retain about 90% orig silver plating with well discerned crisp engraving with slightly less finish on 28324 on inside of grip showing this gun used slightly more than the other. Accompanying Colt English oak casing is brass bound with a folding handle in top of case and a typical round presentation plaque that is blank. Green baise lining is replaced in lid (or at least trimmed as color seems to match the wear and color to lining in bottom of case). Compartmentalized lining has light fading, soiling and wear and reductions where hammers and front sights have cut through. Accompanying flask is very fine retaining over 90% bright lacquer. Flask top has adjustable measurements from 4/8s to 6/8s dram. Mold and L-shaped tools retain much of their orig finish though dull. Cap tin is very fine and still retained in its blue sealed paper wrap with good labels. 49614-1 JS (10,000-15,000) – Lot 3168
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3169
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$12,075.00 |
Revised: 10/7/2015
Please Note: Paper label in the case is a facsimile, not an original Colt product.
EXCEPTIONAL MILITARY INSCRIBED CASED 2ND MODEL COLT 1851 LONDON NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER, LOWER CANADA MILITIA.
SN 31122. Cal 36. Blue & color case hardened with 7 1/2″ bbl, brass pin front sight and 1-line London address with dashes. Frame has a tiny “COLTS PATENT” on the left side and the blued steel, large trigger guard and backstrap contain a 1-pc varnished walnut grip. Cylinder is usual 6-shots with Ormsby naval battle scene roll marking.Left side of bbl lug & cylinder have small British proofs. Accompanied by its Colt orig burgundy velvet lined English mahogany case with brass plaque in the lid inscribed “CAPTN LAFITE 1ST M.L.C.”. Gun is inscribed on backstrap identically. Paper directions for loading & cleaning are found on label inside the lid. Case is compartmented in the bottom for the revolver, a rare Dixon bag flask marked “COLTS NAVY FLASK”, a blued 2-cavity “COLT’S PATENT” mold with sprue cutter, an L-shaped nipple wrench, steel cleaning rod, pewter oiler, a lacquered tin of Eley’s caps. Covered compartment in the right rear hold lead balls. This is an exceptional inscribed revolver made in London in 1855 and utilized by British officer in the militia-Lower Canada (Quebec) we believe. A little research should reveal the officer’s history and unit. Other “Lower Canada” standard issue enlisted arms fall in the same serial range as subject gun this is the first inscribed officers gun we are aware of and nothing is mentioned in Nathan L. Swayze’s text “’51 Colt Navies”. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Extremely fine overall. All matching including wedge, though stocks not numbered. Bbl and cylinder retain about 95%+ glossy orig blue with scattered stains with light pinprick pitting. Frame, loading assembly and hammer retain muted case colors with balance silver/grey. Backstrap and trigger guard retain traces of blue finish with balance grey and smooth. Stocks retain most of their varnished surface with edge wear and one bruise at edge on right grip. Mechanically gun functions well with bright crisp bore with pitting near muzzle. 4 complete safety pins are intact, the other 2 are partially smashed. Case is sound and solid, paper label intact with some foxing and edge damage. Burgundy lining has some light fading, wear and soiling. Iron mold retains about 80% of its finish though thin and fading. Dixon flask retains about 90% orig varnish with numerous small nicks, dings and scratches, one large 3/4″ dent on side near base. Cap tin very good with label. Steel cleaning tool very good. L-shaped gun tool is fine retaining 90%+ bright finish. 49059-78 JS (10,000-15,000) – Lot 3169
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3170
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$14,950.00 |
EXCEPTIONAL CASED COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 202972. Cal 36. Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2″ oct bbl, brass pin front sight and 1-line New York address with dashes. Left side of frame is marked “COLTS PATENT” and left shoulder of trigger guard is marked “36 CAL”. Cylinder is usual 6-shots with Ormsby naval battle scene roll marking and all 6 safety pins are crisp. The silver plated brass trigger guard & backstrap contain a nicely figured, varnished, 1-pc walnut grip. Accompanied by a mahogany, dark green cloth lined casing which is compartmented for the revolver, a fine eagle flask, an iron 2-cavity “COLTS PATENT” mold marked “36 B” (belt model), fine pack of wrapped paper cartridges, an orig paper wrapped tin of Eley’s caps and a functioning key. This is a beautiful cased gun retaining most of its orig bright blue finish and case colors. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus, all matching though not disassembled to check for internal SNs. Bbl and cylinder retain about 95%+ bright blue with only edge wear. Loading arm, frame and hammer retain 90%+ case colors. Finish appears touched up in areas as many small nicks appeared recolored. Trigger guard & backstrap retain strong traces of silver plate with balance a mustard yellow patina. Grip is crisp with a couple small bruises & retains about 95% of its orig varnish with edge wear. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with a few scattered spots of staining and light pitting. Case is sound and solid retaining most of a varnished finish. Green cloth lining has areas of fading, wear and soiling. Flask is fine overall retaining 90% its orig varnish. Cap tin is sound with paper wrap worn and oil stained, still sealed with good discernible paper label. Cartridge pack is fine and solid. Mold retains about half of its blue finish with numerous small dents and dings with clear markings. 49059-77 JS (8,000-12,000) – Lot 3170
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3171
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$5,750.00 |
CASED COLT LONDON MODEL 1851 NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 40351. Cal. 36. Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2″ oct bbl, brass pin front sight & 1-line London address. Left side of frame has a small “COLT’S PATENT” and left side of bbl and cylinder have British proofs. The large guard iron trigger guard & back strap contain a 1-pc walnut grip. Accompanied by mahogany casing with red velvet lining. Case is compartmentalized in bottom for revolver, a powder flask, bullet mold & cap tin. CONDITION: Very fine overall, all external numbers are matching. Gun was not disassembled to look for any internal or stock markings but gun appears all orig and authentic. Bbl retains about 40% bright blue finish with balance flaked to a plum/grey. Frame, loading assembly & hammer retain much of their orig muted case colors. Backstrap & trigger guard retain about 40% of their blue finish. Well fit stocks are sound retaining most of their varnished finish. Several small chips & scuffs on left grip. Cylinder retains small traces of blue finish and is overall grey retaining most of its rolled cylinder scene. Mechanically gun is sound & functioning with bright crisp bore. Accompanying case is sound & solid with typical storage blemishes. Velvet lining is soiled with some light fading. Case contains about 20 orig balls and pack of caps accompanying flask is a reproduction & key is non-functioning. 49432-60 JS (4,500-6,500) – Lot 3171
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3172
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$4,600.00 |
FACTORY ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER MANUFACTURED AT BEGINNING OF CIVIL WAR.
SN 106032. Cal. 36. Based on SN this particular gun was made in the early months of the Civil War with the early New York address with long dashes. Gun exhibits classic Gustav Young attributed style factory engraving with signature “dog head” on left bbl housing along with floral designs with punch-dot backgrounds. Left side of frame is engraved “COLTS PATENT” in an arc. This is a nice honest example of a presentation grade gun that was among the most popular sidearms among Union and Confederate officers during the Civil War. This gun shows honest use and was well cared for. CONDITION: Very good overall. All matching SNs noted on metal parts, though stocks were not removed as they are so well fit with hand worn patina. Engraving is all sharp & crisp and gun has crisp edges. No orig finish is retained and metal overall is grey. Cylinder scene is mostly discernible and other markings are crisp and well defined. There are scattered areas of light pitting especially at muzzle & face of hammer. Pistol functions mechanically well with crisp, well discerned rifling in bore. 49613-3 JS (4,000-6,000) – Lot 3172
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3173
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$0.00 |
CASED PROTOTYPE OR POSSIBLY A BELGIAN COPY OF A COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER WITH CASE.
SN 29. Cal. 36 Blue & color case hardened with 6-7/8″ oct bbl, brass pin front sight and 1-line New-York U.S. America address. The New York part of the address appears to be in a different font and has been double rolled. Left side of frame has a small “COLTS PATENT”. Cyl is usual six chambers with full wrap-around, European style foliate & floral engraving. Left side of barrel lug & cyl have British proofs. Trigger guard & backstrap are iron and contain a 1-pc walnut grip with an indecipherable number in backstrap channel. Almost every part is numbered “29” including rear face of barrel lug, side of the rammer pivot, bottom of frame under trigger guard, cyl spindle, hammer, trigger guard and backstrap. Cyl is unnumbered and has a faint oval “ELG” Belgian proof on the front face. Wedge is a replacement bearing number “327”. Bottom right edge of grip has the faint number “24139” and may be from a “Kriegsmarine” 1851 Navy revolver. This revolver has all the appearances of having been assembled a long time ago from misc. parts, some of which may have been Colt. Accompanied by a blue velvet lined orig English Oak casing with empty plaque in the lid and compartmented in the bottom for the revolver, a pocket sized Dixon style bag flask with adjustable spout, a blued steel “COLT’S PATENT” bullet mold with sprue cutter marked on the right side “36H”, an L-shaped nipple wrench and a lacquered tin of Charles Nephew & Co. caps. Inside the lid has the Colts “DIRECTIONS FOR LOADING COLT’S PISTOLS” label. Right rear corner of the bottom has a covered compartment with space in the back for a cleaning rod, which is missing. CONDITION: About fine, all matching except wedge, grip & cyl as noted. Bbl retains about 60% thin orig blue and the rammer pivot smoky case colors; frame retains 50-60% faded case colors on the sides, turned silver on recoil shields; cyl retains about 70% restored blue with fine pitting; trigger guard and backstrap retain blue in sheltered areas being mostly a grey metal patina. Grip has several large chips in the edges and retains a hand worn patina. Mechanics are fine; worn dark bore. Case is sound with nicks & scratches and retains about 80-85% orig varnish; interior is lightly faded & soiled with sound partitions; flask has a couple small dents and shows a dark copper & brass patina; mold retains about 75% of a restored finish with pitting; nipple wrench, possibly a reproduction is fine; cap tin is fine. 49254-3 JR151 (6,000-9,000) – Lot 3173
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3174
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$0.00 |
FACTORY ENGRAVED AND INSCRIBED COLT NEW MODEL 1861 NAVY REVOLVER COL. COLT PRESENTATION TO CAPT. J.C. COMSTOCK OF THE HARTFORD LIGHT GUARD.
SN 18670 IE. Cal. 36. 7-1/2″ bbl, full silver finish, “certifiable antique ivory” grips, engraved by C.F. Ulrich, iron backstrap inscribed “Col. Colt to Capt. J.C. Comstock / Hartford Light Guard”. Capt. John C. Comstock of Company A 1st Regiment Connecticut Volunteers was a personal friend of Sam Colt and was a member of the Hartford Militia. He led his men at the First Battle of Bull Run in June 1861 and was at the point of the spear in the first Union advance of the war, which turned into a rout of Union forces known as the “Great Skedaddle”. Comstock became consumptive and died in early 1862, about one month after his friend Col. Colt died. PROVENANCE: Accompanying this gun is a 12 pg letter from noted Colt authority and author R.L. Wilson touting the importance of this significant revolver. Also included are service records and muster roll records for Captain Comstock. Special Note: This item contains or is made of ivory. Do not bid on this lot unless you have read and agreed to our "Ivory Position Statement" and the "Waiver of Legal and Financial Risk to James D. Julia in regards to your Purchase of an Ivory Object." This information is located in the front section of our catalog. CONDITION: Fine. Pistol retains 60% silver finish overall with some loss of finish on the bbl lug, frame and cyl. Cyl retains 60% of a clear cyl scene with visible engaged date. Six safety pins are intact on cyl. “M 53” stamped on the webs at the rear of the cyl. Ivory grips are orig and numbered to gun. SNs are matching on frame, bbl, trigger guard, backstrap, cyl, wedge and arbor. Engraving is of the late vine style with fine scroll work lacking any punch dot background. “Colt’s Patent” engraved left side frame. Bbl shows fine scroll with a beaded pattern, common to other Ulrich engraved revolvers. Inscription on the very rare iron backstrap is perfectly accomplished. “No more exotic and appealing Colt firearms were made than those used as presentations by the Colonel himself”. (R. L. Wilson) 49514-2 TEP C&R; IVORY (25,000-35,000) – Lot 3174
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3175
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$0.00 |
SCARCE CASED COLT MODEL 1861 NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 2461. Cal. .36. Blue and color case hardened with 7-1/2″ bbl, nickel silver front sight and 1-line New-York U.S. America address. Left side of frame has a small “COLTS PATENT”. Cyl is usual 6 chambers with Ormsby Naval Battle Scene roll marking. The silver plated brass trigger guard and backstrap contain a 1-pc varnished walnut grip. Trigger guard is un-numbered and appears to have never had a number, however it does have a small “G” inspector initial on the left shoulder. Accompanied by an orig green baize lined Colt casing, compartmented in the bottom for the revolver, a double sided, Navy sized foliate pattern flask with angled spout, and a bullet and ball “COLT’S PATENT” mold with sprue cutter. Open right rear corner has a small tin of caps and covered left front corner contains cast lead bullets and balls. There were approximately 39,000 of these revolvers produced in the period 1861 – 1873. This is considered to be Colt’s most beautiful percussion revolver for its trim, smooth lines. They were very popular throughout the Civil War and later on the American Frontier for their ease of handling and substantial cartridge size. They remained in service well into the late 1870’s before being supplanted by the more efficient self-contained cartridge revolvers. Many of this model revolver were converted to cartridges. Very few are found today in orig configuration with high orig finish and extremely few are cased. CONDITION: Fine, all matching except grip and trigger guard which are un-numbered. Bbl retains 80-85% strong orig blue showing light muzzle edge wear and some rust freckling over the bbl lug. Rammer pivot retains strong case colors with the handle turned dark. Frame retains about 75-80% orig case colors, strong and bright on right side, more faded on the left and turned silvery/brown on top of recoil shield. Hammer retains strong case colors, turned silver on top edge. Cyl is a smooth blue/brown patina and shows 60-70% Naval Battle Scene roll marking. Trigger guard and backstrap retain most of their orig silver finish with a few pimples on backstrap. Grip is sound showing light to moderate edge wear, a few nicks and scratches and retains about 90% strong orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, very bright shiny bore with a few scattered spots of fine pitting. Case is sound with a cleaned area and some crackling of the finish on the lid and overall retains about 80% orig varnish, interior is lightly to moderately faded with light to moderate soil and sound partitions. Flask is fine showing about 90% orig finish. Mold is equally fine with some light freckles of rust and shows about 90% orig blue. 49432-54 JR (7,500-12,500) – Lot 3175
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3176
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$10,350.00 |
FINE COLT MODEL 1861 NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 13674. Cal. 36. Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2″ rnd bbl, German silver front sight and 1-line New-York U.S. America address. Left side of frame has a small “COLTS PATENT” and left shoulder of trigger guard is marked with the caliber. The silver plated brass trigger guard & back strap contain a varnished 1-pc walnut grip with last four digits of matching SN in backstrap channel. According to Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms there were 38,843 of these revolvers produced in the period 1861 through 1873. Given that this revolver was produced during the Civil War and in all probability carried and used during the Civil War, it is very unusual to find it in such fine high orig finish. These revolvers were carried in wartime under harsh conditions usually with little or no maintenance. After the Civil War they were carried and used on the great American frontier again with hard use and little maintenance. PROVENANCE: Herb Glass (2002); Robert Howard Estate Collection. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus, all matching including wedge, cyl & grip. Bbl retains 75-80% dark, glossy, orig factory blue with the loss areas flaked, not worn to a medium patina. Rammer handle retains faded orig case colors, strong on the pivot. Frame & hammer retain most of their brilliant orig factory case colors, lightly faded on the left recoil shield. Cyl retains 15-20% orig blue with the balance flaked to a light patina and overall retains 92-93% Ormsby Naval Battle scene roll marking. It appears that the roll marking was lightly struck. Four of the six safety pins are crisp and serviceable. Chambers & face of the cyl retain strong orig blue. Trigger guard & back strap retain traces of silver plating with the exposed areas a light mustard patina. Grip is sound with a few light nicks & scratches and light edge wear, overall retaining most of its orig factory varnish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 49450-16 JR (10,000-15,000) – Lot 3176
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3177
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$6,900.00 |
VERY FINE CIVIL WAR COLT MODEL 1861 NAVY REVOLVER.
SN 13255. Cal. 36. Usual configuration with 7-1/2″ rnd bbl, German silver front sight and 1-line New York address with dashes. It has 1860 Army-style rack & pinion rammer with “COLT’S PATENT” on left side of frame. The brass trigger guard & backstrap contain a 1-pc walnut grip. This gun is in very fine condition, retaining much of its orig finish and varnished stocks. This particular arm was made in 1863 at the height of the Civil War. Surviving Colts of this era are rarely found in high condition and fine aesthetics as this example. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Very fine overall, all matching. Bbl retains about 30% bright orig finish especially in protected areas with good feathering marks around front sight. Cylinder retains about 10-20% of its orig blue with balance plum with some staining and light pitting on one side. Rolled Ormsby naval battle cylinder scene is almost all discernible. Safety pins all smashed flat. Colt’s Patent marking on frame is double struck and 2nd line is weakly struck as can be seen in photos. Frame, loading arm and cylinder retain about 50% fading and muted case colors. Trigger guard & backstrap retain 20-30% orig silver plate (turned black) balance of brass surface has a light mustard/yellow patina. Grip is sound and sharp showing only minor edge wear and small chips inside each toe. Varnish is 95%+ intact with edge wear. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. 49059-62 JS (7,500-12,500) – Lot 3177
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3179
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$0.00 |
EXTRAORDINARY CASED COLT LONDON MODEL 1862 POLICE PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 35232L. Cal. 36. Blue & color case hardened with 5-1/2″ rnd bbl, brass pin front sight and New-York U.S. America address. Left side of frame is marked “COLTS PATENT” and the blued steel trigger guard & back strap contain a varnished 1-pc walnut grip. Cyl is full fluted with five chambers and left side of bbl & flutes of cyl are stamped with British proofs. The SN on bottom of bbl lug, frame, trigger guard & butt strap are accompanied by a small “L” which indicates that this revolver, although made in Hartford, was destined for the English market. Given the pristine new unfired condition of this revolver, no disassembly was effected to check for other matching numbers. Accompanied by its orig English oak casing with an empty brass medallion in the lid. Case is green baize lined with a “Directions for Loading Colt’s Pistols” label inside the lid. Bottom is compartmented for the revolver, a small Dixon’s bag flask, a blued steel 2-cavity bullet & ball “COLTS PATENT” mold with sprue cutter marked “36P” on right side, an L-shaped nipple wrench, a Dixon-style pewter oil bottle, an empty lacquered tin for Eley’s caps and a blued steel, formed wire cleaning rod in its slot in bottom rear. Right rear covered corner compartment has a “certified antique ivory” pull. Colt ’62 Police revolvers are not uncommon with approx. 28,000 of them produced in period 1861-1873 and cased versions are occasionally encountered but pristine new unfired examples such as this one are almost unknown. Special Note: This item contains or is made of ivory. Do not bid on this lot unless you have read and agreed to our "Ivory Position Statement" and the "Waiver of Legal and Financial Risk to James D. Julia in regards to your Purchase of an Ivory Object." This information is located in the front section of our catalog. CONDITION: Extraordinarily fine, all matching, although not disassembled to check for matching parts. Overall retains about 99%+ crisp orig factory finish with only a faint cyl line, a few small nicks by the wedge slot and slight thinning on the left end of the wedge, otherwise all finishes are brilliant, complete and original. Grip is sound with one small scratch and a tiny bruise on left side, otherwise there are no discernible flaws. Case is completely sound with light storage & handling marks and overall retains virtually all of its orig factory varnish. Interior is crisp & clean with very slight fading to the baize and yellowing of the label. Flask is equally pristine & new, with some light flaking on the mold handles. Wrench, oil bottle & cleaning rod are equally new. Cap tin is undoubtedly a replacement, probably having been removed for return transportation to the U.S. A truly exceptional and never to be encountered again ’62 Police revolver. 49642-1 JR217 IVORY (60,000-80,000) – Lot 3179
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3180
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$0.00 |
RARE CASED EARLY COL. COLT PRESENTATION COLT MODEL 1862 POLICE PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 13. Cal. 36. This is one of the very first Model 1862s made in 1861 being SN 13. This gun has Colt factory inscription on backstrap “WM. W. MACFARLAND ESQ WITH COL. COLT’S COMPLIMENTS”. Samuel Colt was known to give many guns to constituents and friends or anyone who could help him sell his guns. This is a very rare variant of the 1862 Police revolver as features noted below and this could quite possibly be the last or among the last “Col. Colt” presentations as Samuel Colt died January 1862! Wm. W. McFarland was a trusted Colt family and business Attorney working in Hartford at the time of the presentation. McFarland was witness to two Colt contracts between Elija Root and General James Ripley in June and August of 1862 for a total of 18,000 Army revolvers within months of presentation of this earliest of Model 1862 Police Revolver. This very early pocket police conforms closely to standard production guns with the addition of a SN on the loading arm on left side and lack of caliber markings on trigger guard and lack of Colts patent marking on fame and unusual Hartford address as these guns should have New York addresses. Otherwise this gun conforms to other model 1862 revolvers being blue & color case hardened with 4-5/8″ rnd bbl, brass pin front sight and 1-line Hartford address. Brass trigger guard & backstrap contain a 1-pc varnished walnut grip with last four digits of matching SN in backstrap channel. Cylinder is typical half flutes rebated and has a patent date in one flute. Mr. Flayderman’s tag on this gun, which he must have owned since the 1950s, simply states “V. Rare early 62 Colt”. Accompanied by an orig burgundy velvet lined Colt casing, compartmented in the bottom for a single sided Eagle and Start “COLTS PATENT” flask, a blued steel bullet and ball mold with “COLT’S PATENT” marked sprue cutter and “36 P” on the side. Also accompanied by an “L” shaped nickel wrench. PROVENANCE: Norm Flayderman Estate Collection. CONDITION: Excellent overall, all matching including wedge. Gun was not disassembled but is no doubt all original and authentic in every regard. Bbl retains about 40-50% orig blue with minor scratches and stains; frame, loading assembly and hammer contain traces of original case colors, with balance silver/grey with staining; cylinder retains about 60% strong blue overall with light drag line. Trigger guard & backstrap retain 60-70% of their original silver plating. Grip is sound and solid and well-fit retaining about 95% of its orig bright varnish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore with crisp rifling. Inscription is easily read with some bubbling of silver as can be seen in photos. Case is completely sound with light handling and storage, nicks and scratches and retains most of a lightly added finish. Interior is moderately faded with light soil and solid partitions. Flask is fine with a couple tiny dents and shows an even dark mustard patina. Mold is extremely fine, probably unused with some dings on the sides. Nipple wrench is fine. 49564-8 JS85 (25,000-35,000) – Lot 3180
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3181
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$0.00 |
SCARCE CASED ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1862 POLICE PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 23868. Cal. 36. Usual configuration with 5-1/2″ rnd bbl, brass pin front sight and 1-line address. Left side of frame is marked “Colt’s Patent” and left shoulder of trigger guard has the cal marking. Cyl is half fluted with five chambers and it is mounted with 2-pc pearl grips that are hand scratched on the inside “BFY”. Revolver is beautifully engraved, probably by L.D. Nimschke in beautiful New York style with full coverage foliate arabesque patterns on the frame which extend onto the bbl lug, around the address and around the muzzle. Rammer pivot is engraved to match with spiral & foliate patterns on the handle. Backstrap, buttstrap & trigger guard are also engraved to match with a deep relief foliate panel at top of backstrap. Hammer is deluxe engraved with a wolf’s head on each side of the nose. Cyl is engraved to match on the lands between the flutes. Accompanied by an orig purple velvet lined Colt mahogany casing, compartmented in the bottom for the revolver, an early double-sided eagle flask, a steel Colts Patent mold with sprue cutter, an L-shaped nipple wrench, a packet of six combustible cartridges and an empty Eley’s cap tin. Few of this model Colt were ever cased and engraved. CONDITION: Good to very good, all matching except wedge & grips which are unnumbered. Cyl has only one number visible. No orig finish remains on the revolver being an overall dark blue/brown patina. Trigger guard retains about 70% orig silver and the backstrap/buttstrap about 40%. Grips have a hairline above the left escutcheon and a small repair on the right side at the frame, otherwise are sound with good fire. Mechanics are fine; strong bore with moderate to heavy pitting. Case has two or three grain checks in the bottom, otherwise is sound with a few light nicks & scratches and retains most of its orig varnish; interior is lightly faded with moderate soil and a couple of slightly loose partitions; flask is extremely fine; mold is battered and worn; other accessories are fine. 49254-7 JR134 (12,500-17,500) – Lot 3181
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3182
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$0.00 |
COLT MODEL 1862 POLICE PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 25819. Cal. 36. Blue & color case hardened with 6-1/2″ rnd bbl, brass pin front sight and 1-line New York U.S. America address. Left side of frame shows a lightly struck “COLTS PATENT” and left shoulder of trigger guard is marked “36 Cal”. Cyl is half fluted & rebated with 5 chambers and has all five safety pins prominent & serviceable. The silver plated brass trigger guard & backstrap contain a varnished 1-pc walnut grip with last four digits of SN in backstrap channel. Only about 28,000 of these revolvers were produced during the period 1861-1873. They were made in three bbl lengths with about 6,500 of that number converted to cartridge configuration. This was a very popular revolver during the Civil War and later on the frontier for its attractive dimensions and sleek look but still with a reasonably powerful cartridge. They remained in service well into the late 1870s/ early 1880s, until completely supplanted by cartridge arms. Few are found today with high orig finish. PROVENANCE: Hamilton Collection. CONDITION: Extremely fine, all matching including wedge, cyl & grip. Bbl retains about 65% glossy orig blue with a few scattered spots of surface discoloration with pinprick pitting; frame retains virtually all of its bright, orig case colors; cyl retains 60-65% orig blue, strong in the flutes & rebated area; hammer retains bright case colors, faded to silver on top edge; trigger guard & backstrap retain most of their orig silver slightly thinned on front strap. Grip is sound with very light wear on sharp edges and retains about 98% bright orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with a few minor spots of pitting. 49450-3 JR (7,000-10,000) – Lot 3182
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3183
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$8,050.00 |
EXCELLENT CIVIL WAR 6-1/2″ COLT MODEL 1862 POLICE PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 28220. Cal. 36. This gun conforms to other model 1862 revolvers being blue & color case hardened with 6-1/2″ rnd bbl, brass pin front sight and 1-line New-York U.S. America address. Left side of frame has a small “COLTS PATENT”. Left side of trigger guard is stamped “36CAL”. Brass trigger guard & backstrap contain a 1-pc varnished walnut grip. Cylinder is typical of this model with rebated half flutes. This gun was made during the Civil War in 1864. This popular Civil War sidearm generally saw very hard service during the war. This is a wonderful example in high condition that survived in near-new condition. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Excellent overall. All matching including wedge. Gun was not disassembled to check for SN on grips but they appear orig to this gun. Bbl retains about 95% orig bright blue with minor scratches and stains. Frame, loading assembly and hammer retain most of their orig case colors though muted on loading arm, with balance turning silver/blue. Cylinder retains about 90% strong blue overall especially bright in flutes and protected areas with light drag line and small scratches consistent with bbl. Trigger guard & backstrap retain traces of their orig silver plating. Grip is sound and solid and well-fit retaining about 99% of its orig bright varnish with light edge wear. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore with crisp rifling. 49059-65 JS (6,000-9,000) – Lot 3183
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3184
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$5,175.00 |
EXCEPTIONAL 5-1/2″ COLT MODEL 1862 POLICE PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 33942. Cal. 36. This gun conforms to other model 1862 revolvers being blue and color case hardened with 5-1/2″ rnd bbl, brass pin front sight and 1-line New-York U.S. America address. Left side of frame has a small “COLTS PATENT”. Left side of trigger guard is stamped “36CAL”. Brass trigger guard & backstrap contain a 1-pc varnished walnut grip. Cylinder is typical to this model with rebated half flutes. This gun, based on SN, was made just after the Civil War in 1866. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Excellent overall. All matching including wedge. Bbl and cylinder retain about 90% orig bright blue with small loss near muzzle and loss at left side lug, small nicks and scratches. Frame, loading assembly and hammer retain most of their bright orig case colors, with balance turning silver/blue. Trigger guard & backstrap retain traces of their orig silver plating with balance of yellow patina. Grip is sound and solid and well-fit retaining about 98% of its orig bright varnish with light edge wear. Mechanics are sound, bright shiny bore with crisp rifling. 49059-67 JS (5,000-8,000) – Lot 3184
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3185
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$4,025.00 |
SCARCE CASED COLT MODEL 1862 POLICE PERCUSSION REVOLVER WITH ROYALTY-STYLE CREST.
SN 20353. Cal. 36. Blue & color case hardened with 6-1/2″ rnd bbl, brass pin front sight and 1-line New York U.S. America address. Left side of frame has small “COLTS PATENT” and left shoulder of trigger guard is marked 36 cal. Cyl is half fluted & rebated with five chambers. The silver plated trigger guard & backstrap contain a varnished 1-pc walnut grip with last four digits of matching SN in backstrap channel. All the SNs on the bottom of revolver are accompanied by a small “E” which usually indicated to the polishing room that this item was to receive extra polish for engraving. The only engraving is at top of backstrap which is a family crest consisting of a rearing lion with a five pointed star inside a belt with buckle which is engraved “FAIRE MON DEVOIR” which loosely translates to “do my duty”. Left side of bbl and cyl in flutes are marked with British proofs. Accompanied by a mahogany English casing that may be from another revolver. Case has a brass plaque in the lid which appears to be a replacement. Interior is burgundy velvet lined and compartmented for a slightly larger revolver, a bag shaped Hawksley flask, a bullet & ball “COLTS PATENT” steel mold, a double end L-shaped screwdriver in the nipple wrench hole, a small metal oil bottle, a tin of Eley’s caps and six 36 cal Eley’s combustible cartridges, along with a supply of bullets & balls. CONDITION: Fine, all matching except wedge which is properly unnumbered. Numbers on cyl are illegible from battering on rear face. Overall the metal retains a smooth even dark brown patina with traces of orig finish showing through; trigger guard & backstrap are a dark mustard patina. Grip has a tiny chipped right toe with usual light nicks & scratches and retains about 85% strong orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. Case is sound with a couple grain checks in the bottom and usual handling & storage nicks & scratches with moderate soil and retains a cleaned finish on top with bright varnish on the edges; lock escutcheon is missing; interior is lightly to moderately faded with solid partitions. Flask has a couple small dents and retains about 50% dull finish; mold is moderately pitted and has an overall dark brown patina; cartridges and other accessories are fine. 49432-50 JR (4,000-7,000) – Lot 3185
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3186
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$6,900.00 |
EXCELLENT 5-1/2″ COLT MODEL 1862 POCKET NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 13051. Blue & color case hardened with 5-1/2″ oct bbl, brass pin front sight and 1-line New York U.S. America address. Left side of frame is marked “COLTS PATENT” and left shoulder of trigger guard is stamped “36 CAL”. The silver plated brass trigger guard & back strap contain a fine varnished 1-pc walnut grip. Smooth cylinder is usual 5-shots with rebated diameter and has the stagecoach holdup scene roll marking with only 1 safety pin retained, others are smashed flat. There were approximately 19,000 of these fine revolvers produced 1861 to 1873. This particular gun was made at the height of the Civil War in 1862 and it is amazing but this specimen escaped hard war service and survived in such fine condition, retaining much of its orig finish and aesthetics. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Extremely fine. All matching, though not disassembled to check for SN on grips as they appear orig and fit perfectly. Bbl address has several letters weakly stamped in “AMERICA” as can be seen in photos and retains about 90% glossy bright factory blue with reductions mostly near muzzle and couple areas on left side; small dents and nicks around wedge slot. Frame, hammer, and loading assembly retain much of their bright case color. Cylinder retains about 20% glossy orig blue, especially in protected areas. There is a light cylinder drag line present. Virtually all of its stagecoach holdup scene roll marking is visible. Trigger guard retains about 40% of its original silver plating with remainder yellow patina. Trigger guard retains traces of silver with remainder matching yellow patina. Grip is sound, well-fit, crisp with only a couple of minor light scratches in finish and retains virtually all of its bright orig factory varnish, light edge wear. Mechanics are crisp, well defined rifling in shiny bore. 49059-70 JS (5,000-8,000) – Lot 3186
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3187
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$4,025.00 |
CASED COLT MODEL 1862 POCKET POLICE PERCUSSION REVOLVER WITH 6-1/2″ BARREL.
SN 31867. Cal. 36. This honest “as found” 6-1/2″ rnd bbl Colt Pocket Police with 5-shot fluted cylinder was made just after the Civil War in 1865. This gun has seen honest use, still retaining some orig finish with an overall excellent patina and all matching. Its accompanying Colt casing presents gun beautifully with an eagle and star flask, “COLTS PATENT” mold and cartridge pack. CONDITION: Gun is very good to fine overall. All matching with strong traces of finish in protected areas of bbl, cylinder and loading assembly. Muted case colors are also present in traces on frame & hammer. Gun overall is grey/plum with areas of staining and pitting. Brass trigger guard and backstrap have mustard colored patina with crisp markings. Stocks are sound and well fit, retaining over 80% of their orig varnish with scattered blemishes, scuffs & wear especially to edges. Mechanically gun functions well with crisp, shiny well discerned bore with pitting. Accompanying casing is sound and solid. Red lining in top has light fading and soiling. Bottom compartmented burgundy colored lining is worn with repositioning of a couple of partitions with fading, staining and wear. Accompanying 2-cavity mold is properly marked “36P”. Eagle flask has traces of varnish being overall mustard patina. Cartridge pack is wood block with discernible label with 1862 patent date. Package is torn and bullets are exposed. Cap tin has torn label on sides retaining most of its japanned finish. Several loose balls are in one compartment along with non-functional key. 49432-57 JS (4,000-6,000) – Lot 3187
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3188
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$8,625.00 |
SCARCE COLT MODEL 1855 MODEL SIX ROOT PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 9870. Cal. 31. All blue finish with 3-1/2″ stepped rnd bbl, brass pin front sight and “COL. COLT NEW YORK” address. Cyl is unfluted with stagecoach holdup scene roll marking. Mounted with uncheckered, varnished 1-pc walnut grip matching numbered to this revolver. It appears that there was about 3,075 of these revolvers produced in two bbl lengths. This revolver was produced in about 1865 probably after the cessation of hostilities of the Civil War. These little revolvers were quite popular with ladies as muff & purse pistols and gentlemen as pocket pistols. They usually saw hard service with very little maintenance and are rarely found today with high orig finish. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus, all matching including bbl, cyl & grip. Overall retains 95-96% glossy orig blue with the only losses on right side of the muzzle which is flaked to a dark patina, elsewhere shows only faint sharp edge wear; cyl retains 97-98% glossy orig blue with front edge wear and two or three small freckles by one nipple and shows about 99% stagecoach holdup scene roll marking. Rammer handle & hammer retain virtually all of their brilliant case colors. Grip is sound with no visible flaws and retains virtually all of its brilliant orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore with one small spot of pitting. 49402-4 JR (8,000-12,000) – Lot 3188
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3189
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$0.00 |
DELUXE COLT MODEL 1855 3RD TYPE SPORTING RIFLE.
SN 1423. Cal. 36. Deluxe half stock sporting rifle with 27″ oct to rnd bbl, iron rib on the bottom with two iron guides containing what appears to be the orig brass tipped hickory wiping rod. Front sight is a dovetailed small nickel silver Rocky Mountain shape with Colts adjustable rear sight. It has full-fluted 6-shot cylinder, tiny walnut forearm with German silver tip and German silver escutcheons for the wedge. It is fitted with a highly figured, center crotch American walnut buttstock with checkered wrist and crescent buttplate. It has usual markings on top of the receiver. Trigger guard is scroll type with large guard and finger rest. SN was observed on the frame, rear face of cylinder. Cylinder spindle and toe of buttplate. No further disassembly was effected to check for other matching numbers. CONDITION: Fine to very fine, all matching, as noted above. Bbl retains 93-95% strong orig blue with small spate of light surface rust and a coating of old dried oil. Ramrod retains about 70% black paint. Receiver retains 15-20% bright orig blue in sheltered areas with the balance a silver-brown patina with chemical streaking. Cylinder retains traces of orig blue in the flutes with the balance a silver to brown patina. Buttplate is mostly a smooth brown patina. Stock has a hairline by the top tang, otherwise the wood is sound with light to moderate handling & use marks and a ding & gouge on the forearm. Buttstock retains most of an old refinish but does not appear to have been sanded and could be carefully restored. Cylinder pin screw is battered, otherwise the screws are all fine. Crisp mechanics, bright shiny bore. 49450-4 JR (12,500-17,500) – Lot 3189
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3193
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$14,950.00 |
SCARCE COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY CONVERSION REVOLVER.
SN 144. Cal. 38 RF. Blue and color case hardened with 7-1/2″ oct bbl, brass pin front sight & 1-line New-York U.S. America address. Rammer slot in the bbl lug is filled and right side of the lug is mounted with an ejector housing that has bullseye ejector rod head. Left side of frame has a small Colt’s patent and left shoulder of trigger guard is marked “36 Cal”. Conversion is Richards-Mason style with the firing pin attached to left side of hammer nose with 2 rivets. The silver plated brass trigger guard and backstrap contain a varnished 1-pc walnut grip with matching SN in backstrap channel. There were about 3800 of these revolvers produced in the mid-1870s, mostly out of previously unused parts in their own serial range which encompasses this revolver. These revolvers were very popular for their handy size with reasonable stopping power. They remained in service well into the 1880s until finally supplanted by the more modern revolvers chambered for centerfire cartridges. They are rarely found today with high orig finish. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Fine to very fine, all matching. Bbl retains about 50% strong, orig blue with the balance flaked, not worn to a dark patina. Ejector housing also retains about 50% orig blue. Frame retains virtually all of its orig case colors, bright in sheltered areas, moderately faded elsewhere. Conversion ring retains very bright case colors and the hammer bright colors on the sides and rear edge turned dark on top edge. Cylinder retains 60-70% thinning blue and shows about 95% Ormsby navy battle scene roll marking. Grip frame retains traces of silver plating being an overall medium mustard patina. Grip is sound with a few nicks & scratches, shows light to moderate wear and retains about 95% strong orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp. Bright shiny bore. 49059-64 JR (6,000-9,000) – Lot 3193
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3195
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$6,325.00 |
SCARCE COLT MODEL 1861 NAVY RICHARDS MASON CONVERSION REVOLVER.
SN 31314. Cal. 38 CF. Blue and color case hardened with 7-1/2″ bbl, nickel silver front sight & 1-line address. Right side of bbl lug has an attached ejector housing with bulls eye ejector rod head. Rammer slot is filled. Left side of frame is marked with “1871” and “1872” patent dates in 2-lines. Left shoulder of trigger guard is marked “36 Cal”. Cylinder has the Ormbsy Naval battle scene roll marking and last 3 digits “818” of its orig revolver’s SN with last 3 digits “314” of matching SN to this revolver. The silver plated brass trigger guard and backstrap contain a 1-pc walnut grip with last 4 digits of matching SN in backstrap channel. Cylinder has British proofs, alternating between chambers. However, bbl is not British proofed, indicating that this revolver was not shipped to England but that the cyl was simply recycled from another revolver. According to Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms and The Book of Colt Firearms, Wilson there were about 2200 Model 1861 Navy revolvers converted at the factory, of which this is one. They were converted in 3 groups which includes about 1200 returned to the factory for alteration, about 1000 returned by the US Navy for alteration and the balance of about 1000 manufactured from previously unused parts. All of the alteration was performed in the mid-1870s. These slim, functional revolvers were very popular and saw hard service and are rarely found today with high orig finish. They remain in service well into the late-1870s or later until fully supplanted by more modern revolvers. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching except wedge which is properly unnumbered. Bbl retains about 65% glossy orig blue with an area turned brown toward the breech end. Ejector housing retains about 50% blue with the outer radius a brown patina. Frame & hammer retain strong, bright case colors, faded on the recoil shield & loading gate. Cylinder retains 60-65% strong blue and shows about 75-80% roll marking. Chambers retain most of their orig blue. Trigger guard & backstrap retain about 75-80% strong, orig silver with some minor flaking on the trigger-bow and front strap just behind the trigger bow. Buttstrap shows moderate wear with some light battering. Mechanics are crisp. Bright shiny bore, has been fired but very little. 49059-100 JR (7,500-12,500) – Lot 3195
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3196
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$5,750.00 |
SCARCE COLT RICHARDS CONVERSATION OF MODEL 1860 ARMY SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER.
SN 4595. Cal. 44 Colt. Nickel finish with 8″ rnd bbl, orig front sight & 1-line New-York U.S. America address. Lug has rammer slot filled and right side has the attached ejector housing with checkered, half-moon ejector head. Left side of frame is marked with the 1871 & 1872 patent dates in 2-lines with Cal. marking on left shoulder of trigger guard. The silver plated brass trigger guard and iron backstrap contain a varnished 1-pc walnut grip that has matching SN in backstrap channel. This is Colt’s first successful conversion to a centerfire big bore revolver which was an instant success, much more practical than its predecessor the Thuer conversions. There were about 9000 of these revolvers converted in the period 1873-1878 in two different groupings. One group was numbered within the Model 1860 Army serial sequence and the other made up of previously unused parts. These revolvers were produced during the height of America’s great Westward expansion when any cartridge firearm was in great demand, especially the larger calibers. These revolvers usually saw very hard service and of the few surviving examples today very few retain orig finish. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching except wedge which is properly unnumbered. Bbl retains about 95% strong orig nickel and the ejector housing about 90%. Frame retains 90-92% strong orig nickel with some bubbling on left side of frame and conversion ring. Trigger guard & backstrap show light flaking. Cylinder retains about 92-93% orig nickel and shows about 80% Ormsby navy battle scene roll marking. Grip has chipped toes and shows light edge wear and retains about 95% orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with a few scattered spots of light pitting. 49059-58 JR (6,000-9,000) – Lot 3196
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