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LOT 220
Fine Presentation Cased Colt Model 1855 “Root” Sidehammer Percussion Pocket Revolver - Serial
no. 7889IP, 31 cal., 3 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, antique ivory grips. This Model 5 version of the Model 1855 was manufactured in 1863 and has the two-line New York barrel address, a fluted cylinder with patent marking on one of the flutes, “31 CAL” marked on the right side of the
frame, and the serial number marked on the butt strap is followed by “IP”, which is believed to indicate the special grips and possibly presentation. Customarily, the ivory grips were reserved for the deluxe engraved revolvers. It comes in a fitted case with an eagle pocket flask, UMC cap tin, 6-count .31 caliber cartridge box, some loose balls, “COLTS/PATENT” marked ball/
bullet mold, and key. Given their sleek design which departs heavily from the usual Colt percussion
revolvers along with their limited production and several production variations, these revolvers have
long been popular with collectors.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% original blue finish with smooth gray and brown patina on the balance,
some of the case colors visible, and defined markings. Grip is very fine with disting edges, and a few minor hairline age cracks. Mechanically fine. The case and accessories are very fine with mild age and storage related wear, including some fading of the interior lining, some contact wear, some light separation on the lid, and some light handling marks on the outside of the case.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000 LOT 221
Fine Cased Colt London Model 1851 Navy Revolver - Serial no. 30771, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. Colt’s Model 1851 Navy revolver proved to be very popular in the U.K. initially following the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. “The Observer” of London on November 23, 1851, under the heading “Colt’s Revolvers” noted, “No weapon has attracted more attention than the American revolvers of which several specimens were exhibited during the recent Exhibition” and also noted that
the British government had approved the Colt for officers in Africa and India and that this sanctioning had, “not only served to clear the shelves and counters of the American department of the Exhibition, but has been the means of obtaining a large number of orders to be executed for persons in this country.” Herbert Houze
in “Samuel Colt: Arms, Art and Invention” on page 9 notes that The British Board of Ordnance contracted with Colt for 25,540 Model 1851 Navy revolvers mainly for the Royal Navy, and Colt also sold an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 revolvers to officers. Within a few years, however, sales slowed following the end of the Crimean War and
as the Beaumont-Adams and other British designs gained traction.
This revolver was manufactured in 1855 and has the large oval,
steel trigger guard, steel back strap, wide cylinder nipple cut-outs,
bordered knurling on the hammer spur, and round head frame
and trigger guard screws that are typical of Colt London Navy
revolvers. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped “-ADDRESS COL.
COLT LONDON-,” and London “Crown/GP” and “Crown/V” proof and
inspection marks are stamped on the left side of the barrel lug and alternating between each nipple on the cylinder. The full serial number is stamped on the loading lever, barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap and cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. The barrel, cylinder, and grip straps have a high polish blue finish, and the lever, frame, and hammer are color casehardened. The walnut grip has a high polish piano varnish finish. The case has a loading and cleaning directions label inside the lid, blue lining, cleaning rod, blued combination tool and ball/bullet mold, key, large cap tin with balls inside, and a James Dixon & Sons powder flask.
CONDITION: Fine with 75% plus original blue on the barrel, patches of original blue and mostly gray patina on the cylinder along with a distinct roll scene, 30% original case colors, traces of blue on the grip straps, and mostly smooth gray patina on the balance. The grip is also fine and has mild handling and storage wear including some dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. The case and most of the accessories are also fine and have mild age and storage related wear including moderate contact wear from the front sight. The mold and combination tool are very fine and have 85% plus original blue finish. Overall, this is a very attractive cased set.
Provenance: The Norm Vegely Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
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