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LOT 207
Extremely Rare Peck & Grilley Percussion Revolver - NSN, 32 cal., 4 1/4 inch octagon bbl.,
blue/silver finish, gutta percha grips. At first glance, this revolver appears to be a Whitney
Two-Trigger Pocket revolver, but it is actually a very rarely seen improvement/modification of
that revolver with a pawl linked to the hammer to rotate the cylinder and a new arbor pin. The design was patented
by Whitney’s employee Jeremiah Peck of New Haven, Connecticut, in 1854. It received patent 10,930 for an improvement
in firearms on May 16, 1854, and was assigned to “J. Peck & Chas. F. Grilly” per patent records. The “Hartford Daily Courant” on
December 8, 1854, reported: “A new revolving pistol, patented by Messrs. Jeremiah Peck and Charles T. Grilley, of New Haven, is
now being exhibited in that city. The patentees, according to the Palladium, claim that they can discharge 24 shots in the time that the Colt pistol can six.” How exactly that could be possible is unclear, perhaps by swapping multiple cylinders. The side plate on this revolver is
neatly inscribed “Peck & Grilley/New Haven/Patented 1854.” The revolver features a German silver blade front sight in a dovetailed base, etched cylinder, and gutta percha grips.
CONDITION: Fine with traces of original blue and otherwise smooth gray and brown patina on the iron, distinct etching on the cylinder, braised arbor pin, 70% original silver plating, aged patina on the silver and exposed brass, some minor pitting, and general mild overall wear. The grips are also fine with a chip on the upper left, some smaller flakes, and attractive aged “chocolate” coloration. The novel cocking mechanism needs work as it does not consistently engage the cylinder. The hammer and trigger function fine. Writer has never seen another example!
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 208
Cased Colt London Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 31149, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1855 at the Colt London factory. These Colt London Model 1851s fall in their own serial number range, 1-42000. This is a high condition example with case and accessories. The barrel has the “ADDRESS. COL: COLT. LONDON” marking with flanking arrows. The left side of the frame is marked “COLTS/ PATENT.” The cylinder has the iconic Texas Navy roll engraved scene along with “COLTS PATENT” followed by the serial number. The trigger guard and back strap are iron with blue finish. The iron grip strap was only found on London guns during this period. London proofs are stamped on the left side of the barrel lug and alternate on the cylinder between the chambers. Fitted with a smooth one-piece walnut grip. The matching full serial number appears on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, loading lever, and arbor pin. The wedge has the matching partial serial number “149.” Includes a blue lined case featuring a blank inscription plaque on
the lid and containing a James Dixon & Sons powder flask, unmarked cap tin, cleaning rod, “L” shaped combination tool, and “COLTS/PATENT” marked brass double cavity bullet mold. CONDITION: Fine. The barrel retains 95% bright period refurbished high polish blue finish. The cylinder retains 20% original blue finish and nearly all of the roll engraved scene. The grip straps retain 60% period refinished blue. The loading lever, hammer, and frame retain 90% period refinished case colors. The revarnished grip is fine with minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good with a couple filled cracks on the revarnished lid, handling/ storage marks, and typical high spot wear in the lining. The accessories are very good. A
very attractive Colt London Model 1851 Navy percussion revolver.
Provenance: Property of a Distinguished Southern Clergyman.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 209
Rare and Historic First Edition Elizabeth H. Colt Presentation Signed Copy
of “Armsmear” to Hugh Harbison, Secretary and Treasurer of the Colt
Manufacturing Company - Offered here is a first edition (1866, printer: Alvord, New
York) of the privately printed biography of famed firearms inventor and manufacturer
Samuel Colt, “Armsmear: the Home, the Arm, and the Armory of Samuel Colt. A
Memorial.”The book features a handwritten dated presentation inscription by Samuel
Colt’s widow, Elizabeth. The inscription reads, “Mr. Hugh Harbison; with the regards of/
Mrs Samuel Colt./Armsmear/Christmas 1866.” When Samuel died Elizabeth inherited
control of her husband’s famed firearms manufacturing company worth $3.5 million dollars in 1862 or nearly $97 million in 2021 dollars, and she is largely credited for rebuilding the company in the aftermath of the 1864 fire. Following the death of Elisha Root in 1865, her brother, Richard Jarvis, became company president, and the brother-sister duo oversaw the company’s successful transition from manufacturing percussion arms of the second half of the 19th century to semi-automatic and machine guns of the early years of the 20th century. Outside the firearms business, Elizabeth was a very prominent member of society and an active community leader in Hartford, as well as being very generous in charity work. Hugh Harbison (1833-1903) was born in Ireland in 1833 before emigrating to Hartford in 1849. In 1856, Harbison joined the Colt Manufacturing company as a bookkeeper. With the death of company secretary L.P. Sergeant c. 1862, as well as the death of Samuel Colt himself, Harbison was thrust into the role of secretary. Harbison, along with Elisha Root and Elizabeth Colt, would help guide the company through a turbulent period which included their historic factory fire in 1864, setting up the company to dominate the firearms industry into the 20th century. His obituary states that for many years he also worked as the manager of Elizabeth Colt’s estate, as well as being “practically the manager of the works” until he resigned in 1891. This copy of the book shows the typical features of the first edition copies being wrapped in brown leather with gilt border decoration and the Colt coat of arms on the cover. The edges of the pages are also gilt, and all appear to be present. Includes a custom modern case which contains the book and is marked “ARMSMEAR/SAMUEL COLT” on the spine.
CONDITION: Fine overall, the cover showing some mild wear and a minor tear in the spine, clear presentation inscription and signature, and most of the pages
showing minimal wear and almost all of the gilt finish on the edges. This would be an incredible edition to a Colt collection, office, or library! 216 Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000