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LOT 212
Attractive Civil War Era Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver with
Special Order Grip - Serial no. 128294, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish,
antique ivory grips. This revolver was manufactured in 1862 and has the “I” suffix stamped above/below the main
serial numbers used to indicate special order grips like the one found on this revolver. The grip also has the matching partial serial
number properly handwritten in black ink in the back strap mortise. It may have been ordered by or for a Union Army officer as the Model 1851 Navy was the standard sidearm of the period. It has a brass cone front sight, “-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-” along the top of
the barrel, the standard Naval Battle of Campeche scene and patent markings, and all matching serial numbers.
CONDITION: Very fine overall. The revolver appears to have seen very little if any use and has all of the cylinder safety pins, 85% plus bright original high polish blue
finish remains on the barrel, distinct battle scene and blend of gray and brown patina on the cylinder, 80%
plus of the vibrant original case colors, traces of original silver plating on the grip frame which displays aged patina on the exposed brass, and minor marks and scratches. The excellent original grip has very attractive natural tones and grain, a minor age crack near the heel, and minor handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,500 - 7,500
LOT 213
Exceptional Cased Colt Model 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 289368, 31 cal., 4 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. The Model 1849 Pocket was the most popular Colt revolver of the 19th century with over 325,000 manufactured by the time production ended in 1873, but they are very hard to come by in high condition like this example because they were generally actually carried thanks to their convenient size. This revolver dates to 1866 and remains in spectacular condition. It has a cone front sight, the one-line New York barrel address, five- shot cylinder with the stagecoach scene, standard patent markings, “P” and “31 CAL” on the left side of the trigger guard, and matching serial numbers visible on the cylinder, barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The case contains an eagle pattern pocket flask, blue ball/bullet mold, cap tin, balls, and key. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 80% plus original blue, 90% original case colors, 60% original silver plating with fading on the back strap from contact with the case, and minor handling and storage wear. The grip is excellent and has very slight handling and storage marks and nearly all of the original varnish. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are all fine with minor storage wear. Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 214
Fine Colt Model 1855 “Root” Pocket Percussion Revolver with Case with Charles Folsom Sportsmen’s Warehouse Label and Herb Glass Letter - Serial no. 6357, 28 cal., 3 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Samuel Colt’s “New Model Revolving Pocket Pistol” or “Model 1855 Pocket” was nicknamed by collectors as the “Root Revolver” after factory foreman and superintendent Elisha K. Root. They are the only Colt percussion revolvers to feature a solid frame and spur trigger. They certainly rank among the most attractive of all American percussion pocket pistols. Nonetheless, production was limited to only around 30,000 in the diminutive .28 caliber in 1855- 1861 and another 14,000 in .31 caliber in 1860-1870 compared to over 300,000 of the larger Model 1849 Pocket revolvers. Given their attractive and distinctive style, multiple variations, and rarity, these revolvers are highly sought after by collectors today. This “Model 2” variant was manufactured in 1856 with an octagon barrel with cone front sight and the pointing hand motif ahead of the patent and Hartford address, cylinder with the cabin and Indian scene, varnished one-piece grip, and matching serial numbers on the barrel, butt, and cylinder. The wood case contains a Great Seal of the U.S. themed pocket powder flask, brass double cavity bullet mold with “COLT’S/PATENT” marked sprue cutter, Goldmark cap tin, lead balls and bullets, and a rare trade label reading: “SPORTMEN’S DEPOT/CHARLES FOLSOM/Importer of Guns and Sporting Apparatus,/AND/GUN MATERIALS of every description,/203 BROADWAY/NEW-YORK.” An included July 7, 1976, letter from Herb Glass Sr. indicates the revolver was sold by his son to a collector a couple of days earlier and notes that it “is completely original and in very fine condition...The small size of the Root model makes cased sets attractive, and yours is especially so with its fine condition and original dealer’s business card inside the lid. I can assure you that Colts in this
condition are an excellent investment. I hope you enjoy it.”
CONDITION: Fine with 60% plus original blue finish, 30% original case colors, some minor oxidation, and mostly minor age and storage related wear. The grip is also fine and retains the vast majority of the original finish and has
minor scratches and edge wear. Mechanically fine. The refinished case and accessories are very good with minor age and storage related wear and some glued repairs on the case dividers.
Provenance: Herb Glass Jr.; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500