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LOT 1215
Well-Documented, Outstanding, Cased Deluxe Factory Engraved Colt London Model 1851 Navy Percussion
Revolver - Serial no. 28323, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, deluxe factory walnut
grips. This stunning revolver was manufactured at Colt’s short-lived London factory in 1855 and is pictured and
described on page 93 of “The William M. Locke Collection” by Frank Sellers, and the engraving as well as the case
and accessories are also nearly identical to the factory cased and engraved London Model 1851 Navy revolver, serial
number 28329, illustrated and described on pages 200-204 of “The Art of the Gun: Magnificent Colts: Selections
from the Robert M. Lee Collection Volume I” by R.L. Wilson. While these two examples are very similar, their
engraving is certainly extraordinary and is of a high level of coverage and detail rarely seen on Colt percussion
revolvers, especially from the London factory. Jim Eplen stated, “To date, only 6 to 8 Navy Models are engraved
to the extent of this one.” The arm of the loading lever, barrel, frame, hammer, trigger guard, and back strap are
factory engraved with English fine foliate scrollwork on lined backgrounds with floral accents. Punch marks are
stamped below the serial number on the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap indicating the revolver was
designated by the Colt factory for engraving and special finish. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Naval Battle of
Campeche scene signed by W.L. Ormsby and “COLTS PATENT”. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped “-ADDRESS. COL:
COLT. LONDON-” with arrows at either end framed with a double line border and scrollwork flourishes. “Colts. Patent”
is engraved in Old English letters in a banner on the left side of the frame. London proof marks are stamped on the
left side of the barrel lug in engraved ovals and between each chamber on the cylinder. The revolver has the large
oval, steel trigger guard, steel back strap, wide cylinder nipple cut-outs, bordered knurling on the hammer spur,
and round head screws that are typical of Colt London Navy revolvers. The full serial number “28323” is stamped on
the loading lever, barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap, and cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match.
The barrel and cylinder have a high polish blue finish, and the lever, frame and hammer are color casehardened.
The trigger guard and back strap are silver plated. The nicely figured walnut stock has a high polish piano finish.
The revolver is complete with an English style, brass cornered mahogany case with round brass escutcheon
plate and folding brass handle. The case has five compartments lined with green baize and has the original Colt
instruction sheet adhered to the inside of the lid. The case contains: a steel cleaning rod with blued handle, a
blued L-shaped combination screwdriver/nipple wrench, James Dixon & Sons oiler, an Eley cap tin, blued Colt ball
and bullet mold marked “36 B” on the right, a pack of six combustible cartridges, a James Dixon & Sons bag-shaped
powder flask marked “COLTS NAVY FLASK” on the top of the lid.
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