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LOT 203
Exceptional Cased Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver with Herb Glass Letter -
Serial no. 22038, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. This extraordinarily high condition Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver dates to 1853 and features a brass cone front sight, “-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-” on top of the barrel, “3” on the left side of the barrel lug and on the cylinder below the serial number, the iconic Naval Battle of Campeche cylinder scene, small “COLTS/PATENT” marking on the frame, “K” and “G” stamped on the left side of the trigger guard, and matching serial numbers visible on the cylinder, loading lever, barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. It comes in a fitted case with Eley Bros. cap
tin with orange label, cartridge pack, early Colt Navy flask with slanted charger, L-shaped combination wrench and screwdriver, brass ball and bullet mold with “COLT’S/PATENT” on the iron sprue cutter, and several lead balls. The included 1984 dated Herb Glass letter extols this revolver and accessories’ exceptional “unfired, unused condition” overall and notes that “This lovely outfit would be most difficult to improve upon. I am sure you enjoy owning it.” CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The barrel retains 90% plus bright original high polish blue while the cylinder retains 60% plus. As noted in the letter, “This gun has no signs of any wear or use whatsoever. Areas of missing blue are faded, not worn, to a fine patina. It is about mint in all other respects (bore, markings, mechanics, etc.)” 85% plus of the somewhat muted original case colors remain, and the grip frame retains 40% original silver plating and displays some dark patina. Aside from minor wear at the toe and a scratch on the right, the grip is excellent and retains essentially all of the bright original piano varnish. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine and has light storage wear, a couple of damaged dividers, and minor glued repairs corners and on the interior trim, and the other accessories are very fine and have only minor age and storage related wear.
Provenance: Herb Glass Jr.; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500