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LOT 1206
Desirable Cased Factory Engraved and Inscribed Colt Model 1855 Root Percussion Revolver with
Accessories - Serial no. 112321E, 31 cal., 3 1/2 inch round bbl., blue
finish, antique ivory grips. Manufactured in 1867. This is a solid example of a factory engraved Model 7 Root revolver. The rear portion of the barrel, frame and hammer are decorated with early vine style foliate arabesque patterns. The top of the
barrel at the breech is marked “ADDRESS COL. COLT/NEW-YORK U.S.A.”, and the serial number is marked on the butt followed by an “E” which designated this revolver for
factory engraving. The serial number on the butt is extremely unusual in that it is six digits instead of only five (Model 7s were in the 11,075-14,000 range). Apparently
the worker applying the serial number got a little excited and lost track of what he was doing and added the “1” at the end. The back strap is inscribed “J.N. Burgess. The inscription appears to be period factory
applied. 5-shot cylinder with screw through side retaining the cylinder pin, roll engraved with the stagecoach hold up scene and marked “COLT’S PATENT/No 11232”. Brass post front and frame notch rear
sights and fitted with a smooth one-piece grip. Complete in an original burgundy velvet lined mahogany
case with 5 compartments containing a scarce brass 2-cavity “COLTS PATENT” bullet mold with sprue cutter having an “H” on
right side, a 2-sided early eagle flask and several round and conical lead bullets.
CONDITION: Very good. The revolver retains 30% original blue finish mixed with a smooth grayish patina. The cylinder scene
is fading but visible, and there is some minor flash pitting around the nipple recesses. The action needs work; the hammer does not hold a cocked position. The grip is very fine with a few minor age cracks and a very attractive patina and grain. The engraving and barrel marking remains crisp and clear. The case is very good with some scattered minor dings and scratches
on the exterior, and the lining has faded some and shows some contact wear. The lock escutcheon has been replaced with lighter colored wood. The flask and bullet mold are very good with an attractive aged patina.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 1207
First Year Production “Squareback” Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver - Serial
no. 2494, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. This Second
Model variation of the Colt Model 1851 Navy was manufactured in 1850, the first year of production, and
features the distinctive squareback trigger guard. The 7 1/2 inch octagonal barrel has a brass cone front sight
and “-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-” marked on top. The frame has the early production minuscule “COLTS/PATENT”
marking on the left. All of the visible serial numbers are matching. The wedge appears to be an old replacement. The butt is hand
scratched with some initials that either end in “M” or begin with “W”. The other two letters are harder to discern. Given the year of
production and the revolver’s condition, these may well have been the initials of a man who sought his fortune in the American
West during the gold rush or perhaps a devoted free stater who headed off the Kansas and wanted some protection from the
Border Ruffians. The Model 1851 Navy was the best of the best when it came to a nice belt revolver in the period, and they found widespread use with men like Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill Cody, and other Western legends during the 1850s and 1860s.
CONDITION: Good “frontier issued” appearance with dark gray and brown patina on the iron along with mild pitting, 20% original silver plating remaining on the grip straps with attractively aged patina on both the silver and exposed brass, and general moderate overall wear. The cylinder scene remains mostly distinct. The barrel has been professionally renumbered to match the frame. The re-oiled grip is good with moderate wear, including an indent towards the upper left. Mechanically fine.
178 Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1208
Rare Colt First Model Navy Powder “Plunger Style” Flask
with Herb Glass Letter - This flask is accompanied by an October 20, 1987, dated letter from Herb Glass Jr. stating “Congratulations
on your acquisition
of the nearly mint
Colt marked plunger
spout navy flask
(Riling number 814).
This particular flask
is absolutely the finest example of this
most rare and early Colt Navy flask that
my father and I know of. Neither of us have
any hesitation in stating that it is probably the
finest example known to exist. It may interest you to
know that it was in the flask collection of Richard P. Mellon for several years. You may be indeed proud to own it.”
This powder flask is the first version made for the Model 1851 Navy and
has a cannon facing left above two anchors with a stand of flags in the background one the lone star flag of Texas), crossed revolving rifles over a revolver, and then the “COLTS PATENT” banner at the bottom. This design is only on one side, and it has a set of military style triangular hanging rings and the centered plunger spout. In addition to Ray Riling’s “Powder Flask Book” referenced above, this pattern is also discussed in Robin Rapley’s “Colt Percussion Accoutrements 1834-1873” on pages 148-151 (1994 First Edition) as #F10 and #F11 and noted as appropriate for a squareback
Colt Model 1851 Navy.
CONDITION: Very fine with attractive aged patina and minor overall wear, including a minor dent at the patent marking and a mix of original finish and dark, untouched patina. Overall, this is a rare flask that would pair very well with an early squareback Colt Model 1851 Navy!
Provenance: The Richard P. Mellon Collection; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500