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LOT 176
Exceptional Antique Colt
Model 1889 New Navy
Double Action Revolver
in .41 Long Colt with
Scarce Original Factory
Picture Box - Serial no.
32316, 41 Long Colt cal., 4 1/2
inch round bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1895,
this is an excellent example of Colt’s Model 1889 Navy revolver, which
was produced very near the end of production for this model. At the time of its introduction, the
Model 1889 Navy was a technological leap for Colt, as their first revolver with a swing-out cylinder,
and remains highly desirable to collector’s as a landmark piece in the story of the Colt company.
The revolver shows the main defining features of the model, which included the long cylinder flutes
and the locking lugs on the rear face/extractor. This particular revolver is an interesting example as
it falls extremely late in the Model 1889 Navy serial number range, with Norm Flayderman believing
that production of the model ended in the 31000 range. This Model 1889 appears to be a transitional
variation during a period when production of the Navy was wrapping up and was being replaced by
the New Army & New Navy Model as the barrel marking also includes the “MAR.5.95” patent date, which
is not typically seen on these revolvers. The top of
the barrel is marked with the three-line address and
patent dates, while the left of the barrel is marked
“COLT. D.A. 41” The left side of the frame is marked
with the circled Rampant Colt at the rear. The full serial
number is marked on the bottom of the grip frame.
The matching assembly number “925” is marked on
the frame, crane, cylinder latch, and
lightly carved inside both grips. It
is fitted with the standard blade
front sight, frame-top groove
rear sight, and a pair of
checkered hard rubber
grips with “COLT” at
the tops. Includes the
scarce, original, factory
picture box numbered
to the gun.
CONDITION: Excellent,
retains 95% plus of the
original nickel finish with
some scattered light specks
of flaking, and 70% plus of
the bright, original nitre
blue remaining on the
trigger and hammer. The
grips are excellent with
a few very light handling
marks and crisp checkering.
Mechanically excellent.
The box is fine with a few
tape repairs, some mild
stains, and a few separated
edges. These revolvers
are difficult to find in any
condition, let alone in
high condition like this
with the original box!
Provenance:
The George S. Lewis Jr.
Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
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