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LOT 3217
Desirable Presentation Cased Factory Engraved Colt “Pocket Navy”
Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 6408, 36 cal., 5 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/
casehardened/silver finish, antique ivory grips. While period sources sometimes
listed this model as the Colt New Model Revolving Pocket Pistol (a name also
used for the Model 1855), this model has been known to collectors by various
names over the years, including Model of 1853, Model 1862 Pocket Navy, Pocket
Model 1865 of Navy Caliber, Pocket Model of Navy Caliber, and most simply:
the Pocket Navy. The details of the serial numbers and dates of manufacture
also remain disputed. Colt currently lists this revolver as a “Pocket Pistol of Navy
Caliber” manufactured within the same range as Police revolvers. However, the
Colt Collector’s Association now lists this model as manufactured from 1865
until 1872 within a serial number range of 1-22000. Regardless of the specific
name or date, these are rare and desirable Colts. This beautiful example features
the “later percussion vine scroll” style engraving featuring incised scrollwork
with floral accents and smooth backgrounds. An eagle head is featured above the loading lever screw on the left side of the barrel, and the
hammer has a dog’s head motif. The revolver has the classic Colt percussion revolver finish combination of rich blue finish on the barrel
and cylinder, case colors on the frame as well as the loading lever and hammer, niter blue on the screws and trigger, and silver-plated brass
grip straps, and it is fitted with a deluxe grip. It also features a small cone front sight, “ADDRESS COL SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA”
on top of the barrel, the stagecoach roll scene on the rebated cylinder, standard Colt patent markings, and “V” and “36 CAL” on the left side
of the trigger guard. Matching serial numbers are found on the wedge, arbor pin, cylinder, loading lever, barrel, frame, and grip straps. The
factory “E” marking for engraving is marked above or below the main serial numbers. The revolver comes in a hardwood case with an Eley
Bros. cap tin “Made expressly for/COLT’S PT/Belt and Pocket/PISTOLS”, “COLTS/PATENT” and “36 P” marked blued ball/bullet mold, L-shaped
combination tool, a pocket sized powder flask with eagle design on both sides, cartridge pack marked “EXPRESSLY FOR/COL. COLT’S
PATENT/NEW MODEL/REVOLVING/POCKET PISTOL./36/100 inch Calibre”, and balls and bullets.
CONDITION: Very fine with 70% plus original blue finish, 30% original case colors, 40% original silver plating, attractively aged patina on
the silver and exposed brass, smooth gray and brown patina on the balance of the steel, faint oxidation, and crisp engraving throughout.
The grip is also very fine with some light shrinkage, attractive natural patina and grain, and thin age lines. Mechanically excellent. The case
and accessories are also very fine with minor age and storage related wear and nearly all of the original finish remaining on the mold,
combination tool, and flask. Overall, a very attractive case set.
Provenance: The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection.
Estimate: 30,000 - 40,000
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