Page 80 - 4093-BOOK3

LOT 3122
Scarce Colt Model 1849 “Wells Fargo”
Pocket Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 105902, 31
percussion cal., 3 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish,
varnished walnut grips. This revolver is a scarce Model 1849 Pocket
Model variation with three inch barrel without provisions for a loading
lever, solid lug without lever loading slots, and otherwise standard Model 1849
markings and features including matching serial numbers, including on the back strap
inlet of the smooth, varnished grip. Only 4,000 of this variation are estimated to have
been produced. This example was manufactured in 1855.
CONDITION: Very good. The grip frame retains 80% plus of the original silver plating which
displays aged patinas ranging from light tarnishing to near black. The spots of visible brass also have
aged patina. The barrel has some faded blue finish, and the balance has gray and brown patina and
mild pitting. The grip is very fine and has strong original varnish, edge wear including small chips at
the toe, and some light scratches. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3120
Colt London Model 1851
Navy Percussion Revolver with
Desirable Upper Canada Militia
Markings - Serial no. 33004, 36 cal.,
7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut grips. This revolver was manufactured in the Colt
London factory in 1855 and was used to arm the Canadian
militia. In the mid-1850s, Canada was bolstering its
militia forces due to United Kingdom’s involvement in
the Crimean War which had dramatically reduced the
number of soldiers stationed within Canada, but the
force was still fairly small at 5,000 active volunteers.
It has the “-ADDRESS. COL. COLT. LONDON-” barrel
address, London proof marks on the barrel and
cylinder, “COLT’S/PATENT” on the left side of the frame,
all matching visible serial numbers, standard Naval
cylinder scene, varnished walnut grip, and rounded
head screws. Upside down “U.C/B/48” letters on the
left side of the grip which indicates this revolver was
issued to the Upper Canada Militia,
Troop B, man number 48.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 30% original blue finish on
the barrel, 40% muted original case colors on the
frame, cylinder turned to mostly a smooth gray patina, scattered surface spotting
overall with some patches of light pitting, and sharp markings and cylinder scene.
Grip is also fine with most of the original varnish finish, scattered light scratches,
and defined edges and stamps. The hammer does not firmly remain in full cock and
releases prematurely, needs work, otherwise mechanically functions.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3121
Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion “Belly Gun/Avenging
Angel” Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 155403, 36 cal., 2 1/4 inch
octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. Manufactured
in 1863 and subsequently cut-down to a much more concealable barrel length
and equipped with a dovetailed German silver blade front sight and a piece of wood in the
upper loading lever slot. The barrel still has the “S. AMERICA-” portion of the address visible.
The other markings and features are standard, including matching serial numbers other
than the wedge. Pistols of this style are sometimes called “Avenging Angels”.
CONDITION: Good as period modified to “Belly Gun” configuration. The grip straps have patches of
original silver plating in the protected areas and aged patina overall, and there are traces of blue
finish and otherwise mostly gray and brown patina and some light pitting on the barrel, cylinder, and
frame. The grip is very good and has mild lower edge wear, general scratches and dings, and light
handling wear. Mechanically needs adjustment.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
78
LOT 3119
Documented Walter Cooper Bozeman, Montana Territory
Shipped and Retailer Marked Sharps Hartford Model 1874 Military Rifle with Factory Letter and Bayonet - Serial no.
C,52295, 50-70 U.S. Govt cal., 25 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This Sharps Model 1874 Military
rifle has an accompanying factory letter that lists it as invoiced from the Sharps Hartford factory on September 28, 1872, to
Walter Cooper of Bozeman, Montana Territory, in .50 caliber, with single trigger, open sights and oil-finished stocks, at a price
of “$20 less 15%.” The letter further states, “The order to Walter Cooper on this date was a decidedly unusual one. There were 60
50 caliber Military Rifles such as yours, 25 Military Rifles requested in 50 caliber Rimfire, and 20 Octagon Sporting Rifles of various
configurations.” Only around 1,769 Sharps Model 1874 military rifles were manufactured between November 1871-March 1877
with variations in caliber, triggers, stocks, etc. This one falls in the correct C,50000+ range and has a period shortened forearm and
shortened barrel with the standard Sharps Hartford address on top ahead of the rear sight along with “FROM/W. COOPER/BOZEMAN
M.T.” on top of the barrel behind the rear sight. Walter Cooper was at one time the biggest Sharps dealer in Montana and ended up in some financial distress with the company. This rifle would have
likely been used for hunting or defense purposes on the plains of Montana, with the shortened barrel allowing for some more maneuverability. This exact rifle is pictured on page 325 of the book
“Sharps Firearms: Model 1874, 1875 & 1877 Target Rifles and Model Variations, Volume III” by Roy Marcot. The consignor also indicates this rifle was featured in the Sharps Collector magazine in an
article on the 1873 Yellowstone Exposition. Features a blade front sight that doubles as bayonet lug, R.S. Lawrence patent ladder rear sight, “L” on the left of the breech, a plain trigger, Sharps 1848
patent marking on the left of the frame, two barrel bands, sling swivel on the bottom of the buttstock, and walnut forearm and buttstock with
patchbox. Matching serial number “C,52295” marked on the underside of the barrel and top of the frame. Includes a “US” marked socket bayonet.
CONDITION: Good as period modified shortened barrel and forearm, with frontier gray and brown patina on the iron surfaces, scattered spotting
and patches of light to mild pitting, and visible markings in the iron. Wood is also good as sanded and re-oiled, with scattered characteristic dents
and scratches, undersized forearm with a crack visible at the left front. Mechanically fine. Bayonet is also good with scattered oxidation/pitting.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
AS PICTURED & DESCRIBED IN THE
BOOK SHARPS VOL. III BY MARCOT