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It has the early style barrel with an non-beveled
loading cut out, screw under the wedge, brass cone
front sight, and “-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK
CITY-” stamped on top. The left side of the frame
has the “COLT’S/PATENT” marking. The cylinder has
the classic Naval Battle of Campeche roll scene.
The trigger guard has the early squareback bow.
The matching serial number is marked on the
loading lever, barrel lug, cylinder pin, cylinder,
frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The wedge
is blank, and the grip was not dismounted for
inspection, but likely has the matching serial
number handwritten in the mortise. It comes in
a proper factory hardwood case with correct first
model accessories, including a W. & C. Eley cap
tin (Rapley CT8), Navy bullet mold with “COLTS/
PATENT” on the side of the brass body and heeled
conical bullet design (correct for “Wedge Over
Screw” Navy revolvers pre-serial number 500 per
Rapley see M21), assortment of lead bullets, early
style L-shaped combination tool (Rapley T15),
a key, and a brass powder flask with single side
design of a panoply of arms over crossed revolving
rifles, a smaller Colt revolver, and “COLTS PATENT”
in a banner. This same flask pattern is pictured and
discussed as flask 10 on pages 148 and 149 of “Colt
Percussion Accoutrements, 1834-1873” by Rapley
and is listed as “the first of the flasks for the 1851
Navy Model . . .This flask is appropriate for the First
Model 1851 Navy with the square-back trigger
guard, having the screw beneath the wedge.”
The case and accessories were originally with an
engraved First Model ‘51 Navy that was purchased
from Michael Simens, and they were paired back to
this revolver by Greg Lampe.
CONDITION: Fine. The engraving, markings, and
cylinder scene remain crisp. The barrel retains 40%
plus of the original blue finish, and the grip frame
retains 90% plus original silver plating. There are
traces of original case colors. The balance displays
smooth brown and gray patina and some faint
pitting. The grip is very fine and retains most of the
varnish and has only minor edge wear, scratches,
and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. The
case and accessories are very fine and have only
minor age and storage relate wear.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert J. Nelson Collection;
The Johnny Bassett Collection; The George Allen
Collection; The Michael Leff Collection; The Ron
Dean Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection.
Estimate: 50,000 - 85,000
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