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LOT 183
Spectacular Gustave Young Factory Engraved Colt Model 1849 Percussion Pocket Revolver with Rare Kidder Patent Case - Serial no. 71773, 31 cal., 4 inch octagon bbl., blue/ casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. This is an excellent example of a Gustave Young factory engraved Colt Model 1849 Pocket percussion revolver that was manufactured in 1853. The revolver features the typical high quality scroll and floral engraving and distinctive wolf head hammer engraving from the Gustave Young shop at Colt, most likely this revolver was done by Gustave Young himself. The engraving covers the
rear sides and upper flat of the barrel, the frame, rear sides
of the loading lever, trigger guard, hammer sides, butt and upper and lower back strap. The top of the hammer ahead
of the checkering on the spur is marked with four small dots signifying that it took 4 days to complete the engraving on
this revolver. The ends of the wedge and all screw heads are also engraved. There is also a dog’s head incorporated in the scroll on each side of the barrel lug. The top of the back strap has a shell design. The top barrel flat is hand engraved “Saml Colt” with a decorative simple double line design around it, the lower left side of the barrel lug is marked “3” and the left side of the frame is marked “COLTS/PATENT” amid the engraving. The cylinder is roll engraved with the stagecoach holdup scene, as
well as being marked “COLTS
PATENT/No 71773” with a
small vertical “3” behind the
serial number. The complete
matching serial number is
marked on the bottom of the
barrel, frame, trigger guard,
cylinder and back strap with
a dot below the latter three, (signifying engraving or special finish), the wedge and loading lever are marked with the partial serial number “1773” and the arbor pin “773”. Blue barrel and cylinder, casehardened frame, loading lever and hammer, and silver plated back strap and trigger guard. Fitted with a nicely figured smooth varnished one-piece walnut grip. The revolver is complete with a rare mahogany Kidder case with five compartments, brass corner protectors and brown velvet lining. The top rear of the case is stamped “MANUFACTURED/ SOLELY BY W. KIDDER” and “PATENT, APR 1854.” In the case is an original 1849 Pocket Model dark brown lacquered eagle flask with “COLTS/PATENT” at the top over an eagle with revolver and flask in it’s talons. The top is silver and the spring is fire blue, a two cavity brass “COLTS/PATENT” marked bullet mold, an Eley Bros cap tin, (sealed in plastic and appears full), an unopened original 6 count box of combustible envelope
cartridges, nipple wrench/screwdriver and 10 round lead bullets.
CONDITION: Excellent. The barrel retains at least 95% original bright blue finish with some edge wear, some flaking on the forcing cone and some minor spotting. The cylinder retains 30% original blue finish with a smooth brown patina on the balance. The scene remains crisp and clear. The hammer and frame have a smooth gray patina. The loading lever is a mix
of original case colors, mainly in the protected areas and a smooth brown patina. The back strap and trigger guard retain 98% original silver plating with loss limited to the heel and toe of the back strap. The silver is darkening with age on the upper sides of the trigger guard bow. The grips are also excellent with 98% original varnish with some very minor lower edge wear and only a few minor dents and handling marks. The markings and engraving remain crisp and clear. The action is excellent.