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LOT 192
Desirable Factory Engraved Colt
Model 1861 Navy Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 18749, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, highly figured varnished walnut grips. The
highly attractive Colt Model 1861 Navy is one of the most desirable Civil War era Colt models and also one of the scarcest with less than 39,000 manufactured compared to over 200,000 Model 1860 Army revolvers. Given the limited numbers
produced, the number of surviving factory engraved examples are naturally very limited. This revolver was manufacture in 1864 and features the distinctive “late percussion vine scroll” engraving used by the factory engravers at Colt in the mid-1860s at the end of the percussion era. The engraving features flowing scroll patterns with floral accents and has smooth backgrounds rather than the beaded backgrounds that were predominately previously used. The hammer
has a version of the dog/wolf head motif. The revolver also features “COLTS/PATENT” inscribed on the left side of the frame instead of the usual stamped marking, and the factory “E” stamp designating the revolver for engraving is stamped above the serial number on the barrel and below the serial number on the frame, trigger guard, and
back strap. All of the visible serial numbers match. The revolver is fitted with a finely figured deluxe walnut grip with a high gloss varnish finish. It otherwise has the standard markings and features. It is accompanied by a 2008 invoice from Douglas Carlson Antique American Firearms. CONDITION: Very good with crisp engraving, mostly crisp markings, 25% original blue finish on the barrel, traces of original silver plating remaining and displaying dark aged patina, fading silvered out original case colors, some light pitting, and general mild overall wear. The slightly undersized grip is very fine and has minor edge and handling wear, light marks and scratches, and a few dings on the butt. Mechanically excellent. Overall, this is an attractive revolver certainly befitting ownership by a Union officer during the Civil War. Provenance: Douglass Carlson Antique American Firearms; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000
English officers in the 1850s and saw use in the Crimean War but ultimately struggled
to gain traction in the market thanks to competition from the “self-cocking” Adams
and other English revolvers. The revolver has a high-polish blue finish on the barrel,
cylinder, and grip frame. The loading lever, frame and hammer are casehardened. The
grip is walnut with a high gloss varnish finish. The top of the barrel has an engraved
panel that contains the legend “-ADDRESS COL: COLT. LONDON. -”, and “COLT’S
PATENT” is hand engraved in a banner on the left side of the frame. The cylinder is
decorated with the roll-engraved naval scene. “Crown/V” and “crown/GP” proof marks
are stamped on the left side of the barrel lug ahead of the wedge and between the
cylinder chambers. Matching serial numbers are stamped on the loading lever, barrel, frame, trigger guard, backstrap, and cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. The revolver has not been disassembled, but matching serial numbers are likely to be found on the wedge, arbor pin, and grip. A punch mark that denotes special finish is stamped below the serial number on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap and after the serial number on
the cylinder. The revolver is expertly factory engraved with finely executed scrollwork on the frame, barrel, barrel wedge, loading lever, hammer, trigger guard, and backstrap. Much of the engraving has smooth backgrounds, and the panels on the side of the frame have textured backgrounds. The top of
the hammer is engraved with fish scales and eyes, and the sides are engraved with scrollwork. The revolver is fitted with a hardwood case with green
baize lining. The case has brass reinforced corners and has a blank lid escutcheon. The inside of the case lid has a Colt directions and cleaning directions label screwdriver/nipple wrench, large cap with a white label for “500 BEST PERCUSS. CAPS FOR COLT’S REVOLVER.”, a blued ball/bullet mold with “COLT’S/PATENT” shaped powder flask with lanyard ring, and a steel cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Very fine with crisp engraving and markings, 85% plus bright original high polish blue finish on the barrel, 85% original blue on the cylinder, 80% original case colors, patches of original blue finish in the protected areas of the trigger guard and back strap, smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, and minor oxidation. The slightly undersized grip is very fine, retaining most of the period applied refinished varnish with minor scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are fine and have mild overall wear including minor cracks in the case, contact wear, and general storage wear. The bullet mold is replated. Overall, this is a beautiful cased set and a very solid representative example of the fine arms purchased by English gentlemen from Colt in the 1850s.
LOT 193
Exceptional Cased Factory Engraved Colt London Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver - Serial
no. 9036, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, varnished
walnut grips. This factory engraved and cased Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver was manufactured in 1854 at Samuel Colt’s
London factory during his push to expand into the English and European markets following success at the Great Exhibition
in London in 1851. Colt’s revolvers were eagerly purchased by
. The case contains a blued L-shaped
marked sprue cutter, James Dixon & Sons bag
200 Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000