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LOT 3215
Cased Pair of Factory Engraved Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolvers -A) Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver
- Serial no. 174493, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/ casehardened/silver finish, antique ivory grips. This cased set contains a pair of Colt Model 1851 Navy percussion revolvers decorated with matching factory engraving. Only a very limited number of Colt revolvers were engraved as pairs overall and these pairs were generally not consecutively numbered. These revolvers are only three numbers apart (nos. 174493 and 174496). The engraving on this Civil War pair from 1863 is in the late percussion vine scroll pattern. This style of embellishment is discussed in
the book “The Book of Colt Engraving” by R.L. Wilson and there is
a photograph of a Model 1860 Army revolver on page 147 with similar engraving as on these revolvers. The scrollwork covers the frame, rear section of the barrel, and flat sides of the loading lever with flourishes of the pattern on the trigger guard, butt and back strap. There are also floral blossoms among the scrollwork. A fan type motif is engraved behind the hammer. The hammer has the wolf or hound head. The embellishment on the revolvers differ with the type of head motif among the scroll on the left side of the barrel. No. 174493 has a Native American head. No. 174496 has a dog head. The letters “IP,” which denote special finishing
by the Colt factory, accompany the serial numbers on the main components (barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap). The
top barrel flat is stamped with the one-line New York address: “-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-”The revolvers have the classic Naval Battle of Campeche cylinder roll-scenes and a brass cone front sight. The left side of the frame is stamped “COLTS/ PATENT.” The left side of the trigger guard is stamped with the letter “X” and “36 CAL.” Each revolver has matching respective full or partial serial numbers on the frame, barrel, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, loading gate, wedge, and arbor pin. The trigger guard to no. 174493 lacks the last digit. The barrel and cylinder are blued, the brass grip straps are plated in silver, and the hammer and loading lever are color casehardened. The partitioned case is lined in red velvet and contains two cap tins (Eley Brothers and W.&C. Eley), a blued double cavity bullet mold marked “COLTS/ PATENT” on the sprue cutter, two packages of six combustible envelope .36 caliber cartridges, replated silver plated double face powder flask with patriotic motif, and lead balls and
conical bullets.
CONDITION: Very good plus, with strong amounts of original blue finish on the lower barrel flat and 85% plus original silver plating on the grip straps, otherwise a pleasing smooth gray patina and a series of scratches on the butt. Most of the cylinder scene retains. The engraving is crisp. The grip is very fine with some minor handling marks and highly attractive grain and aged appearance. Mechanically excellent. The refinished, relined to fit case is very good with minor handling/storage marks and faded lining with high spot wear. B) Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver - Serial no. 174496, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, antique ivory grips. As described in “A.”
CONDITION: Very good plus, with strong amounts of original
blue finish on the lower barrel flat and 80% original silver plating on the grip straps, otherwise a pleasing smooth gray patina.
Most of the cylinder scene remains. The engraving is crisp. The grip is very fine with some minor handling marks and highly attractive grain and aged appearance. Mechanically excellent.
A solid representative pair of factory engraved Colt Model 1851 percussion revolvers that will bring added dimension to any Colt percussion or firearms art collection.
Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000