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LOT 190
Exceptional Colt Model 1851 U.S. Navy Inspected Richards-Mason Conversion Centerfire
Revolver - Serial no. 59287, 38 CF cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This is an exceptional
U.S. Navy issued Colt Model 1851 Navy that was originally manufactured in 1856 and subsequently returned to the Colt
factory and converted in the early 1870s to .38 centerfire and returned for continued U.S. Navy use. The cartridge conversion Navy
revolvers continued to be used by the U.S. Navy up until their replacement in the 1890s by the Colt Model 1889 double action revolver. The
barrel is marked with the one line New York address and has had the loading lever removed, with the holes partially plugged, and an ejector
rod with housing added to the right. The Texas Navy battle scene roll engraved cylinder, with non-matching number “3604” above the matching
number “9287” added at time of conversion, and has been cut as part of the conversion, with a breech plate, loading gate and center fire hammer firing pin added. “PAT.JULY.
25, 1871./PAT.JULY. 2, 1872.” marked on the left of the frame over the original “COLTS/PATENT/U.S.” markings. Matching full and partial serial number marked on the barrel lug,
frame, iron trigger guard, butt, cylinder, loading gate and handwritten in black ink inside the grip mortise. The wedge is seized in place, unable to be removed for viewing. Inspection initials “R.W.M.(navy
anchor).” of U.S. Navy Commander Richard W. Meade marked underneath the barrel, and “U.S.N./J.L.H.” marked on the butt. Fitted with a smooth walnut grip.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine as factory refurbished, retains 75% blue finish on the barrel, 40% blue finish on the trigger guard/grip straps, 85% plus vivid case colors on the frame and hammer, scattered
scratches, some patches of oxidation, with smooth gray patina on the balance of the iron showing sharp edges, markings and a distinct cylinder scene. Grip is very good as sanded and refinished, with a
chipped absent section visible at the left front edge and scattered scratches and handling marks. Mechanically fine. An attractive example of a scarce Colt Model 1851 U.S. Navy Inspected Richards-Mason
conversion revolver that would make a fine addition to any Colt or U.S. military arms collection!
Provenance: The Doug Carlson Collection; The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 8,500
LOT 189
Fine and Scarce Civil War Fluted
Cylinder Colt Model 1860 Army
Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 2055,
44 cal., 8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened/silver
finish, walnut grips. This early production Colt Model
1860 Army has the highly desirable early full fluted cylinder. While over 200,000 Colt Model
1860 Army Model revolvers were manufactured, only around 4,000 were manufactured with fluted
cylinders, making this variation especially desirable. Some of these distinctive Colts were shipped to the South
before and at the very beginning of the Civil War. Of the small amount of these fluted cylinder revolvers made, most of them were
no doubt heavily used during the war, making surviving examples particularly scarce. This example features the one-line Hartford barrel
address, faint “COLTS/PATENT” frame marking, frame cut for a shoulder stock, fluted cylinder, and all matching visible serial numbers marked on the
barrel, frame, trigger guard, butt, wedge, cylinder pin, cylinder and correctly handwritten in black ink inside the grip mortise.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% original blue finish strongest on the bottom of the barrel and in protected areas, 40% original case colors on the frame,
60% plus original silver plating concentrated mostly on the brass front grip strap/trigger guard with strong traces on the edges of the iron back
strap, smooth brown and gray patina with scattered freckling on the balance, flattened cylinder safety pins from period use, and defined markings
overall. The grip is also fine and retains most of its original glossy piano varnish finish with scattered areas of surface flaking, minor edge wear,
and characteristic scattered scratches and handling marks. Mechanically excellent. This revolver both has the desirable “been there” look and a
considerable amount of original
finish for a Civil War Fluted Army. A
fresh genuine example.
Provenance: The Brig & Louise
Pemberton Collection.
Estimate: 7,000 - 9,000