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LOT 213
Presentation Cased Factory Engraved London Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver with Accessories - Serial no. 23606, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1853, this Model 1851 Navy revolver features factory floral scroll engraving covering the sides of the barrel lug and loading lever, bottom of the loading lever, rear upper barrel flats, muzzle end of the barrel, frame, hammer sides, trigger guard bow and backstrap. The engraving on the front sides of the frame has a lined or matte background. The hammer has a fish scale motif on the top edge. The top barrel flat is marked “ADDRESS COL. COLT LONDON” flanked by arrows, the left side of the frame has “COLTS PATENT” engraved in a banner, and the cylinder is roll engraved with the Texas naval battle scene. The left side of the barrel lug is marked with the British crown over “V” and “GP” proof marks. The two crown proofs are also marked on the rear of the cylinder alternating between the nipples. The complete serial number “23606” is marked on the loading lever, cylinder, barrel, frame, trigger guard and back strap with the punch dot below the latter four designating special finish or factory engraving. Post brass front and hammer notch rear sights, blue barrel and cylinder, silver plated iron trigger guard and back strap and casehardened remaining surfaces. Fitted with a smooth one-piece burl walnut grip. Complete in a mahogany case with royal blue velvet lining and divided into seven compartments. The outside of the lid has an inset round brass plaque, and the inside of the lid has the paper directions for loading and cleaning label affixed. The case contains an iron cleaning rod, extra mainspring, a screwdriver/ nipple wrench, blue iron bullet mold marked “COLT’S/PATENT”, Eley Bros cap tintwo original unopened boxes of 6 Colt combustible envelope cartridges, a bag shaped Dixon flask, oiler and several lead bullets. CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel retains 60% of the original high polished blue finish. The cylinder has a smooth gray patina with mottled discoloration, clear scene and markings and some minor pitting on the nipples, which appear to be original to the gun. The frame and loading lever show strong signs of original case colors with the balance having a smooth gray patina. The trigger guard and backstrap retain almost all of the silver plating with flaking on the front strap and trigger guard. The grips are very fine with most of the finish remaining; there are some light scratches at the tops and a few scattered minor dings and dents and chips in the varnish. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine with a few minor scratches and dings. The lid is slightly warped. The original lining is excellent with some wear on contact areas. The mold is also excellent with 90% original bright blue finish, several tiny dings and smooth brown where the finish has flaked, the flask is excellent with almost all of the original lacquer and niter blue finishes remaining. The remaining accessories are very good. Provenance: The Will Hoffeld Collection; The Norm Vegely Collection. Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
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