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LOT 3354
Very Scarce Colt “Fluck/Walker Replacement” Variation Dragoon Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 2768,
44 cal., 7 1/2 inch part round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This variation was first researched and nicknamed
the “Walker Replacement Dragoons” when identified by researcher John J. Fluck in 1956. He estimated 300 were made to replace the Walker
revolvers that had failed and indicated they were made for the U.S. military using original Walker parts and reworked parts. More recent research by Dick Salzer, David Basnet, G. Maxwell Longfield, and others has changed our understanding of this model and shown that they
were not replacements for broken Walkers or made from recycled or repaired Walker components as Fluck had theorized but were instead actually the first Dragoon revolvers sold to the U.S. government. In “Debunking the Fluck Myth: Colt Legends Die Hard” by Salzer for the American Society of Arms
Collectors in Bulletin #95 from Spring 2007 the author states, “The obvious conclusion is that Colt, for reasons of completeness perhaps, chose to number the guns made for the second government contract in a closed, out-of-sequence series, beginning with 2001 and continuing to 3000. That left him
with a gap in his civilian production between 1340 and 2000 which he subsequently filled with later production guns.” He also notes that the tiny serial
number numerals were stamped with the same dies as the civilian Walker revolvers, the Whitneyville Dragoons, and on the early “pre-First Model Dragoons” until the dies
are presumed to have worn out around serial number 2650. These are among the rarest of the roughly 19,000 Colt Dragoon revolvers. It has the distinctive oval cylinder
stops and brass square back trigger guard. “ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY” is marked on the top barrel flat reading from the breech towards the muzzle. “COLT’S/
PATENT/U.S.” is marked on the left of the frame. The cylinder has the more common “MODEL U.S.M.R./COLT’S PATENT” marking and the classic “Ranger and Indian” scene
showing the Texas Rangers in a running battle with the Comanche. Matching full or partial serial numbers in small “Walker” size numerals are on the arbor pin, cylinder,
barrel, frame, trigger guard, and butt. There are some small inspection marks.
CONDITION: Good with gray and brown patina, mild oxidation and pitting, modified front sight and loading lever, aged patina on the grip straps, and general moderate overall wear. The grip is fair and has chips visible at the toe and heel, moderate scratches and dings, handling wear, and shrinkage. The mainspring is fairly light, but the revolver otherwise functions fine. These rare “pre-1st Model Dragoons” are important to collectors of antique American revolvers in general, and collectors of Colts in particular as one of Samuel Colt’s large “holster pistols” or “horse pistols” descended from the famous Colt Walker.
Estimate: 7,000 - 11,000
196
LOT 3355
Very Scarce Civil War U.S.
Contract Colt Model 1861 Navy Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 6468, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This U.S. martially inspected Colt Model 1861 Navy revolver was manufactured in 1862 as part of a 2,000 gun contract with the U.S. Ordnance Department, signed on April 13, 1861. Although the Ordnance Department subsequently purchased 363 additional Model 1861 Navy revolvers from Colt distributors, the 2,000 pistols purchased under the April 1861 contract were the only Ordnance inspected, military finished Model 1861 Navy revolvers manufactured by Colt during the Civil War. After the U.S. Contract Walker Colt revolvers, the U.S. Contract 1861 Navy revolvers are the rarest U.S. martial Colt percussion handguns. Faint boxed script “OWA” (Orville W. Ainsworth) inspection cartouche stamped on the left of the grip, and single letter inspection marks on various components. All matching visible serial numbers marked on the barrel, frame, cylinder, cylinder pin, trigger guard, back strap, and handwritten in black ink in the rear mortise of the grip. CONDITION: Very good, with mostly smooth gray patina, patterns of original casehardened finish on the frame, bright golden patina on the brass, and defined cylinder scene and markings in the metal. The lightly sanded, reoiled grip is also very good, with scattered light scuffs, mild edge wear, and a faintly visible cartouche. Mechanically excellent. This example offers collectors a rare opportunity to fill a void in their martial collection. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 3356
U.S. Marked Colt Model 1851 “Army” Navy Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 66260, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, cartouched walnut grips. Manufactured in 1857. The Colt “Army/Navy” revolvers were manufactured between 1855 and 1859 and fall within the 42,000-80,000 serial number range. The initial issue of the “Army/Navy” revolvers was to the 1st and 2nd Cavalry regiments which were organized in 1855. The “Army/Navy” revolvers were first used on the Texas frontier and subsequently saw wide service with federal cavalry regiments during the Civil War. Features a brass cone front sight, “-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-” on the top of the barrel, “COLTS/PATENT/U.S.” marked frame, standard navy battle cylinder scene, small single-letter sub-inspection marks, oval script “LCA” (Lucius C. Allin) and “R.H.K.W.” (Robert Henry Kirkwood Whiteley) cartouches stamped on the grip, and all matching visible serial numbers including handwritten in black ink inside the grip mortise. CONDITION: Very good, with mottled brown patina overall on the iron surfaces, traces of original case colors visible on the loading lever, attractive golden aged patina on the brass, and visible cylinder scene. Grip is fine with an overcoat of period applied varnish, scattered dents and scratches, lightly faded but visible cartouches, and defined edges. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 3357
Fine U.S. Military Inspected Colt Patent Dragoon Powder
Flask - This flask
measures 8 3/4 inches
in length. Both sides
relief decorated with
the “Trophy of Arms”
motif and with “COLTS
PATENT” banner at the
bottom below crossed
revolvers and revolving
rifles. Near the spout it
also has Captain William
Anderson Thornton’s
script “WAT” inspection
stamp. He was an inspector from 1840-1861 and inspected Colt Walker and Dragoon revolvers along with a great many other arms. His mark has been found on original Walker and early Dragoon flasks. The top is correctly secured to the body with
three steel screws. The plunger charger is marked
“GRS.” It has the correct rounded oval markings
as opposed to the later parallel markings. The lid to
the ball compartment is marked “COLTS/PATENT” in
an oval. As noted in “The Complete Collector’s Guide
to the Identification of Colt Percussion Accoutrements,
1834-1873” by Robin J. Rapley, “This Colt stamp is otherwise found
only on the Walker single, double and gang molds, the first (approximately fifty) Whitneyville-Walkers, and a few early Dragoon flasks made by Dixon.” It has the crossed revolvers correctly left under the right, the truncheon pin on the mortars, and inline mortar rings. The latter two indicate it is not a Walker or Whitneyville- Hartford Dragoon flask. The triangular hanging rings on each side near the bottom as were personally requested by Walker.
CONDITION: Fine with a mix of 75% plus original finish and aged patina. There is a small crack by one of the screws on the collar. The designs are soft but clear which is appropriate. There are some minor marks and scratches.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500