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LOT 1172
Exceptionally Fine Documented Factory Engraved Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver with Accessories and Case Inscribed to William H. Leach - Serial no. 44788, 36 cal., 7
1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, deluxe factory walnut grips. This spectacular revolver was manufactured in 1855 and is illustrated on page 124 of “The Colt Engraving Book Volume
1” by R.L. Wilson where it is described as “Young
shop engraved, with rare short trigger, and blued gripstrap.” Wilson further notes that only a scarce
few examples are known with engraved steel grip straps. Out of at least 30,000 large iron trigger guard Model 1851 Navy revolvers, only an estimated 175 are estimated to have been cased and only 250 are estimated to be engraved. At that time, the revolver is noted from the Michael Simens Collection and was shown in a different case. The revolver features classic factory Germanic scroll engraving with beaded backgrounds, floral bloom and rayed accents, a dog head on the left by the loading lever screw, “COLTS/ PATENT” hand engraved on the left side of the frame, the classic wolf head motif on the hammer, and five-dots on the hammer spur which are often said
to relate to the level of the engraving and/or the number of days spent executing the engraving. The barrel has a brass cone front sight and the one-line “-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-” marking
on top, and “2” on the lower left. The cylinder has
the classic Naval Battle of Campeche roll-scene. Matching serial numbers are found throughout. The barrel and cylinder feature high polish blue finish while the iron grip straps are silver plated and the loading lever, frame, and hammer are casehardened. The piano varnished walnut grip has attractive figure. The revolver comes in a fitted rosewood case with dark wine colored lining, a contrasting wood keyhole escutcheon, and lid escutcheon inscribed “Wm. H. Leach/Boston” in script. The case contains an Eley Bros. cap tin, bullets and balls, key, lacquered Colt Navy flask with sloped charger, a cartridge pack, a blued L-shaped combination tool, and a blued ball/ bullet mold with “COLT’S/PATENT” marked on the sprue cutter and “36 B.” on the right arm. Rock Island Auction Company sold the consecutive revolver
back in 2011. It featured similar engraving, including a different dog head at the same location and the same five dots on the hammer spur.
161
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE COLT ENGRAVING BOOK, VOL. I BY WILSON