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LOT 3254
Two Eley Brothers Cap Tins and Three Colt’s Cartridge Works
Combustible Cartridge Packs - 1) Eley Brothers cap tin for Colt
Revolving Rifles, blue paper wrapping with gold scroll designs, with
a white-on-brown label on the side declaring the caps waterproof
and salt water resistant, and a black-on-seafoam address label on top.
Quantity not marked, but appears to be 250-count size. 2) Eley Brothers
100-count cap tin for centerfire cartridges, enamel painted metal
construction with a black-on-orange lid label. 3) Three combustible
cartridge packs from Colt’s Cartridge Works, one for the “REVOLVING/
POLICE PISTOL” (1862 Police revolver) and two for the “REVOLVING/
POCKET PISTOL” (1849 Pocket or 1855 Root).
CONDITION: Very fine overall, with minor wear and stains.
Provenance: The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection.
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
LOT 3251
Cased Factory Engraved Colt Model 1849 Pocket Percussion
Revolver - Serial no. 84309, 31 cal., 4 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, deluxe
factory walnut grips. Gustave Young remains one of the most celebrated and respected 19th
century American firearms engravers and was a key individual in establishing the “American
style” of arms engraving, which naturally was heavily influenced by his training under Ernst
Mortiz in Zella, Thuringia, Germany. The MET notes that Young “immigrated to the United States
from Germany in 1852, engraving for Colt from 1853–58 and working as Colt’s primary engraving
contractor from 1855–58.” This revolver dates to very early in his career and was manufactured in
1853. It features the factory “dot” marking above or below the matching serial numbers on the
barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap indicating factory engraving. The cylinder has “85309”
which is most likely a factory error. The matching partial serial number “4309” is on the loading
lever, wedge, and arbor pin. The engraving consists of the very distinctive Germanic scroll an
foliate patterns Young is widely known for and incorporates more complex entwining scrollwork
designs, as well as canine mask at the terminus of one scroll tendril on the left recoil shield and
bird mask below the hammer screw on the left side of the frame. The engraving features beaded
backgrounds. The barrel features the presentation hand cut “Saml Colt” inscription rather than
the usual stamped address, and the left side of the frame similarly has “COLTS/PATENT” inscribed
in a panel formed by the engraving instead of the standard stamped marking. The hammer has
the wolf or dog head motif on the sides along with an interesting arrangement of seven dots
ahead of the spur. Rayed designs are found at the corners, and there are also wavy line borders.
The dots are often said to represent the number of days required to complete the engraving. The
barrel features a brass cone front sight. “3” is marked on the left side of the barrel lug as well as
following the serial number on the cylinder. The latter features the iconic stagecoach hold-up
scene. The grip is a very nicely figured walnut and has a varnish finish. The revolver comes in a
mahogany presentation case with a Great Seal of the U.S. themed pocket flask, brass “COLTS/
PATENT” ball/bullet mold without sprue cutter, an Eley Bros. cap tin, and a key.
CONDITION: Very good with crisp engraving, 30% original blue finish on the barrel, silver-gray
patina on the cylinder along with patches of pitting and a mostly distinct cylinder scene, mostly
silvered out casehardened finish on the frame, 85% plus original silver plating remaining on the
grip straps, light aged patina on the silver and isolated spots of exposed brass, and generally
fairly minor overall wear mainly associated with age and storage. The refinished grip is very
good with small dings and scratches. Mechanically functions. The accessories and refinished case
are fine with some age and storage related wear. Overall, a very attractive example of Master
Engraver Gustave Young’s early work at Colt in 1853!
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 3253
Civil War Era
Colt Model 1862
Police Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 11311, 36
cal., 6 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut
grips. Manufactured in 1862, during the Civil War era. The ‘62 Police combines
improvements from the Model 1860 Army such as the creeping loading lever, round
barrel, and rebated cylinder with the smaller Model 1849 Pocket’s size while also
offering more firepower per shot than Colt’s early pocket models. It was the last model
released during Samuel Colt’s life and would have been an excellent choice for the new police
departments starting to become more common around the country in the mid-19th century. It has a cone front
sight, Colt New York address on the top of the barrel, “COLTS/PATENT” on the left side of the frame, “36 CAL” and
“4” on the left side of the trigger guard, and all matching visible serial numbers. Includes a smaller caliber dual
cavity “COLTS/PATENT” marked bullet mold.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 30% original blue finish
with smooth brown patina on the balance, 60% vivid
original case colors, and 30% original silver plated finish
mainly concentrated around the trigger guard. Grip
is very good as revarnished, with scratches and dents, and otherwise
defined edges. Mechanically functions.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 3252
Civil War U.S. Colt Model 1860 Army
Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 89310, 44 cal.,
8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This U.S.
Colt Model 1860 Army revolver was manufactured in 1863, and is a classic Civil
War production example. Approximately 200,500 were manufactured c. 1860-1873,
and a reported 127,156 were delivered on Union contracts during the Civil War, per
“Flayderman’s Guide” (9th Edition, 5B-092, 5B-093). The Colt Model 1860 Army was the
primary revolver used by the Union during the American Civil War, with many
used thereafter out west. Features the standard three-screw frame, with the
notch in the heel of the butt of the backstrap. It has single letter inspection
stamps on various components including a “W” on the bottom right surface
of the grip, crisp bordered script inspection cartouches stamped on both
sides of the grip including “JT” (John Taylor), with a non-matching numbered
period replacement wedge, and full and partial matching serial numbers
marked on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, butt, cylinder, and cylinder arbor pin.
CONDITION: Very good plus, retains 30% original blue finish concentrated on the
cylinder, backstrap, and in protected areas, with vivid patterns of case colors showing
on the sides of the loading lever and in a few protected areas, smooth gray patina on
the balance, some minor surface freckling, attractive bright golden aged patina on
the trigger guard, and sharp cylinder scene and markings in the metal overall. Grip is
exceptionally fine, with tight fitment, some minor handling marks, crisp edges and cartouches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
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