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LOT 3347
Colt Model 1862 Pocket Navy Cartridge Conversion Revolver with Scarce Three
Inch Barrel - Serial no. 20785, 38 RF cal., 3 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. Manufactured circa. 1873-1875. This revolver is one of the very few known Model 1862 Pocket Navy cartridge conversion revolvers manufactured with three inch barrels. An example of this rare revolver is described and illustrated on pages 341-342 of “A Study of Colt Conversions” by R. Bruce McDowell. McDowell states Model 1862 Pocket Navy revolvers with three inch barrels are “extremely rare” and that only nine authentic specimens have been identified. He notes most of the known thee inch Pocket Navy conversions are in the 20,400-21,100 serial number range including serial numbers 20,484, 20,675, 20,706, 21,001, 21,065 and 21,068. The revolver has the Colt commercial blue finish on the barrel and cylinder. The frame, hammer and conversion ring have a casehardened finish. The brass trigger guard and back strap are silver plated, and the one-piece walnut grip has a varnish finish. The revolver is not fitted with an ejector rod or loading gate. The barrel lug has a plugged loading lever hole. The left side of the hammer has a rimfire firing pin secured by two rivets. The hammer spur is bordered and knurled. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with “ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA” in one line. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped “-PAT. JULY.25.1871-/-PAT. JULY.2. 1872.-” in two lines. “36 CAL” is stamped on the left shoulder of the trigger guard. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the stagecoach holdup scene and “COLTS PATENT”. The full serial number is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The cylinder is stamped with the original serial number “8054” and the partial serial number “0785”. All of the visible serial numbers match. CONDITION: Very fine. The revolver retains 60% plus of the original blue and 70% of the original casehardened finish. The barrel has a number of shallow dents in the right side of the barrel lug surrounding the wedge. The cylinder retains nearly all of the stagecoach holdup scene. The trigger guard and back strap have 40% of the silver plated finish. The grip is also very fine. Wear is limited to several minor handling marks; nearly all of the high gloss varnish finish remains. The frame markings and serial numbers are sharp. Mechanically fine. This is a very fine example of an extremely scarce Colt Model 1862 Pocket Navy Cartridge Conversion Revolver with three inch barrel. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3348
Colt Round Barrel Pocket Navy Cartridge Conversion Revolver - Serial no. 3141, 38 RF cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. One of approximately 2,000 factory converted to cartridge c. 1873-1875. The barrel has the standard two-line address, and the two patent dates are marked on the left of the frame. Matching visible serial number “3141” on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, butt and cylinder, with “163” on the cylinder pin and loading gate, and an unnumbered wedge. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% period retailer applied nickel finish with some light flaking around some of the edges and some areas of light freckling. The grip is fine, with some dents and handling marks, and some light edge wear. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 3349
Desirable Civil War Cased Colt Model 1861 Navy Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 23786, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. This revolver was manufactured in 1864 and has a German silver blade front sight, the one-line New York address, standard cylinder scene and patent markings, “36 CAL” on the left side of the trigger guard, and matching serial numbers on the wedge, cylinder, cylinder pin, barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. It comes in a fitted case with an Eley Bros. cap tin, martial themed flask with sloped charger, blued Colt patent ball/bullet mold, L-shaped combination tool, key, and some balls and bullets. CONDITION: Fine with 60% original blue finish on the barrel, traces of the refinished blue on the cylinder, patterns of original case colors, smooth aged patina on the brass grip frame, and mild overall wear including a variety of dings and holster type wear. The grip is also fine and retains much of the original varnish and has mild handling and storage wear and numerous light scratches and dings. Mechanically fine. The relined case is very good and has some cracks in the lid and minor contract wear on the lining. The other accessories are mostly fine with age and storage related wear. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,000
LOT 3350
Cased Colt Model 1855 “Root” Sidehammer Percussion Pocket Revolver - Serial no. 13172, 28 cal., 3 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This revolver is the Model
2 variation of the distinctive Colt Model 1855
Sidehammer Pocket Revolver, known as Colt’s
New Model Revolving Pocket Pistol in the
period and now often called by collectors the
Root Revolver after Colt factory superintendent
Elisha K. Root. This example was manufactured
in 1856. The Model 2 variation has a 3 1/2 inch
octagon barrel with the pointing hand and
“+COLT’S PT/1855+” and “ADDRESS COL. COLT/
HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.” markings on the top flat
along with a cone front sight. The cylinder has
the scene of settlers fighting off an Indian attack on a cabin along with “COLT’S PATENT/13172” and a “G” on the back. The matching serial number is repeated on the bottom of the barrel and the butt. It comes in a fitted Colt wood case with an Eley Bros. cap tin marked for Colt’s belt and pocket revolvers, Colt Great Seal of the U.S. themed pocket powder flask, and a brass ball/bullet mold with “COLTS/PATENT” marked iron sprue cutter.
CONDITION: Fine 50% plus original blue on the barrel, traces of original blue on the cylinder, 50% original vibrant case colors on the loading lever, traces of case colors on the hammer, 60% plus original blue on the frame, and minor age and storage related wear overall, including some minor pitting concentrated towards the muzzle. The grip is very good and retains most of the glossy original varnish and has a few dings and mild lower edge wear. Mechanically fine. The case and accessories are also fine and have minor wear from age and storage including fading and contact wear on the lining. Provenance: Revolver: Michael S. Benyo. Case and Mold: Vincent Caponi. Flask: L. Richard Littlefield. Cap Tin: Monty Whitley. Complete Set: Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
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