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LOT 1167
Factory Engraved
Colt Model 1851 Navy
Percussion Revolver with
Case - Serial no. 85599, 36
cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl.,
blue/casehardened/silver
finish, antique ivory grips. This
beautiful pre-Civil War factory
engraved Colt Model 1851
revolver was manufactured
in 1858. The revolver features
classic factory Germanic scroll
engraving with beaded back
grounds, floral bloom accents,
eagle head on the right side
of the barrel at the loading
lever screw, “COLTS/PATENT”
hand engraved on the left side
of the frame, the classic wolf
head motif on the hammer,
and classic Naval Battle of
Campeche roll-scene on the
cylinder. The barrel has a
dovetail blade front sight and
the one-line Hartford address
marking on top. Matching
serial numbers are found on
the barrel, frame, trigger guard,
back strap, cylinder, loading lever, wedge, and arbor pin. The barrel and cylinder feature high polish blue finish while the brass grip straps are silver plated and the loading lever, frame, and hammer are casehardened. The
partitioned case contains a “COLTS/PATENT” marked two cavity bullet mold, a
few lead balls and bullets, Dixon & Sons powder flask, case key, and paper J.
Goldmark cap tin.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel retains 50% original blue finish and traces of
original blue finish remain on the cylinder, otherwise a smooth brown-gray
patina. The frame retains 30% original case colors. The engraving is crisp.
Nearly all of the cylinder scene remains. Traces of original silver remain on and
around the trigger guard, otherwise the brass grip strap have a very pleasing
appearance. The grip is very fine showing some handling marks and attractive
mellow appearance and grain. Mechanically excellent. The relined case is very
good with cracked lid.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 1168
Exceptional Cased Colt “Root” Model 1855 Sidehammer Pocket
Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 3340, 31 cal., 3 1/2 inch round bbl., blue
finish, walnut grips. The Colt Model 1855 Sidehammer Pocket Revolver was
the only handgun designed by Samuel Colt using a solid frame and was
nicknamed after his foreman and superintendent Elisha K. Root who took over
as the company president after Colt’s death. They were manufactured first in
.28 caliber and then in .31 caliber and are certainly among the finest pocket
handguns of the era. Only approximately 14,000 of the .31 caliber Model 1855
Pocket Revolvers were manufactured c. 1860-1870 across multiple variations.
This “Model 5” variant was manufactured in 1861 with a two-stage barrel with
a cone front sight and “ADDRESS COL. COLT/NEW-YORK U.S.A” marking, fluted
cylinder with “PATENTED SEPT. 10th 1850” in one of the flutes, varnished one-
piece grip, and matching serial numbers visible on the bottom of the barrel and
butt. The case contains an eagle pattern powder flask, blued Colt’s patent ball/
bullet mold, and a cartridge pack.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 85% plus original bright blue finish, some
minor fading mainly at the edges and back strap, bright original case colors,
and some minor marks and scratches. The grip is excellent and has most of the
original varnish remaining, a slight chip at the heel on the left, and a few minor
handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine and has
mild age and storage related wear. The slightly dented flask is very fine, and the bullet mold is excellent with 97% strong original blue finish and minor wear.
Estimate: 7,000 - 9,000
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