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LOT 1204
Attractive Cased, Gold and Silver Plated,
and Factory Engraved Colt Model 1862 Police
Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 14043, 36 cal., 6 1/2 inch round bbl., gold/silver finish, antique ivory grips. This “Colt’s Police Pistol” was manufactured in 1862 during the American Civil War and would most likely
have been an presentation piece for a Union officer fighting in “The War Between the States.” It features
beautiful factory flowing scroll engraving with beaded backgrounds and floral
accents as well as entwining line motifs on the cylinder and the wolf’s head
motif on the hammer. Additionally, the loading lever, cylinder, and hammer
are gold plated; the barrel, frame, and grip straps are silver plated; and it is
fitted with a stunning antique ivory grip. All of the visible serial numbers
match, and the factory dot marking designating the revolver for special
finishing is marked above or below the serial numbers along the bottom. It
comes in a fitted case with an assortment of projectiles, a flask, Eley Bros. cap
tin, and “36 P.” and “COLTS/PATENT” marked blued ball/bullet mold.
CONDITION: Very fine, with 85% plus period replated gold and silver finish,
some aged patina, and minor age and storage related wear. The engraving and
markings remain distinct. The attractive grip is also very fine and has attractive natural tones, minor age stress lines, and slight chipping at the heel on the left. Mechanically excellent. The relined case is very good with mild storage wear including some slight separation of the joints, and the other accessories are very fine with light age and storage wear. This is a beautiful preserved example of the incredibly fine presentation arms being crafted by Colt during the Civil War.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 1205
Documented Factory Engraved Colt Model 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 107816, 31 cal., 5 inch octagon bbl., blue/
casehardened/silver finish, antique ivory grips. This stunning revolver was manufactured in 1855 and features beautiful factory engraving likely executed by Gustave Young, Colt’s primary engraving
contractor in the mid-1850s. The engraving consists of highly detailed and elaborate floral scroll engraving with beaded
backgrounds, “Saml Colt” presentation hand inscribed in script within decorative borders on top of the barrel, “COLTS/PATENT” inscribed in a panel among the scrolls on the left side of the frame, the dog/wolf head motif on the sides of the hammer, shell designs at the bottom of the barrel lug and
top of the back strap, areas of crosshatching, and wavy line borders at the muzzle and upper edges of the trigger guard. The revolver also features a small cone front sight, the stagecoach cylinder scene, and all matching visible serial numbers. The factory dot marking denoting factory engraving is marked above
or below the serial numbers along the bottom of the revolver, a “6” is marked on the barrel lug on the left, and an “X” is on the left side rear of the trigger guard. The revolver is fitted with an attractive smooth grip. An included letter from Arnold Marcus Chernoff in 1973 discusses the sale of the revolver and the revolver’s condition and rarity.
CONDITION: Very good. The engraving throughout as well as the markings and cylinder scene remain crisp. The barrel retains 30% of the
original blue finish concentrated on the front half and lower flats while the balance of the barrel and the remaining iron displays silver-gray patina and areas of faint pitting. 80% plus original silver plating
remains on the grip frame, and the silver and exposed brass display attractive aged patina. Overall wear is generally mild and includes a few dings. The grip is also fine and has some age related shrinkage, mild age cracks, some chipping at the toe, and attractive natural grain and aged tones. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Arnold Marcus Chernoff Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
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