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LOT 240
Fine Civil War Era London Proofed
Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver with
Matching Numbered Canteen Shoulder Stock -
Serial no. 125536, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/
casehardened/silver finish, walnut stock, walnut grips. This
revolver was manufactured in 1862 during the American Civil War but
clearly made its way to England given the London proofs on the barrel and
cylinder. What makes it particularly rare is the matching canteen shoulder
stock. The canteen stock was patented by Samuel Colt on January 18, 1859,
and was only manufactured in limited numbers making these stocks very rare, especially so when they remain with the matching revolver. We sold this revolver’s predecessor (sn. 125535) earlier this year in our August, 2023 Premier sale with a canteen stock. It lettered as one of 40 ‘51 Navy revolvers with canteen stocks shipped to Colt’s London Agency on
Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500
June 6, 1862. This revolver was most likely part of the same order. Interestingly the cylinder was not numbered and may have been replaced at the London Agency or simply not stamped before leaving the factory. The other serial numbers are matching throughout, including on the lower tang and heel of the buttplate on the shoulder stock. The barrel has a
cone front sight and the one-line New York address. The “four-screw” frame has the “COLTS/PATENT” marking. The back strap has a fairly crude inscription of what appears to be meant to be the
U.K.’s Union Jack and “M29.”
CONDITION: Fine with 50% of the fading original blue finish on
the barrel, 30% of the mostly faded original case colors remaining
on the frame, a flaw/crack at the stock mounting screw on the left,
smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, and general mild overall wear, including some light pitting. The grip is also find and has heavy rub wear from the shoulder stock. The stock
is very fine and retains 85% plus of the original age darkened silver plating, bright niter blue on the screws, nearly all of the original varnish on the walnut, and a few scratches and dings. Mechanically fine.