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LOT 201
Unusual and Exceptional Documented London Address Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 110756, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut grips. This classic Colt Model 1851 Navy was manufactured at Colt’s Hartford factory
in 1861 and evidently originally intended for his London sales office but instead remained in the U.S. given the lack
of London proof marks. It also features brass grip straps without silver plating. The revolver may have been diverted
to fill one of Colts many orders early in the Civil War as the federal government and state governments attempted to
get their men properly armed. Some Colts were even shipped to southern states on the eve of the war and in the early days
following the attack on Fort Sumter. This revolver remains in exceptionally high condition for a Colt revolver manufactured in
the first year of the Civil War and thus clearly escaped the rigors of combat and grueling campaigns. The barrel has a brass cone front
sight and is marked with “-ADDRESS. COL: COLT. LONDON-” on top. The frame has the standard “COLTS/PATENT” marking on the left side. The cylinder has the classic navy scene. All of the visible serial numbers
are matching. The included factory letter (copy) states the revolver was shipped to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham on New York City on September
3, 1861 and confirms the 7 1/2 inch barrel in .36 caliber, blue finish, “brass” (indicating no silver plating on the grip straps), and wood stocks (indicating non-
varnished grip). This shipment was for 220 guns.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 90% plus original blue finish, 85% plus original case
colors, bright original niter blue on the screws, minor drag lines, slight faded/flaked spots with smooth gray and brown patina, very attractive age darkened patina on the grip straps, and generally very minor overall wear from age and storage. The grip is very fine and has minimal handling and storage marks and tiny flakes at a few of the corners. Mechanically excellent. This is an outstanding example of a Colt Model 1851 Navy manufactured around the time of the outbreak of the Civil War. You simply do not find Colts from 1861 that look like this very often! Estimate: 20,000 - 30,000