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LOT 3267
Desirable Cased Factory Engraved Colt Model
1849 Pocket Percussion Revolver with Ivory Grip - Serial no.
173286, 31 cal., 5 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver
finish, ivory grips. This revolver dates to 1860, just prior to the
American Civil War, and features very attractive scroll engraving
with beaded backgrounds. The designs show the clear influence famed Master Engraver
Gustave Young who became Colt’s primary engraving contractor in the mid-1850s and
may have been engraved by one of his employees. The engraving is primarily scrollwork
with floral accents, a canid mask on the left side of the barrel, some rayed designs, the
presentation hand cut “Saml Colt” inscription on the barrel and “COLTS/PATENT” inscription
on the frame instead of the usual stamped markings, dog/wolf head on the hammer and the apostrophe
marking used to denote engraving and special finishing is marked above or below the matching serial numbers
on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The cylinder also has the matching serial number “173286,”
and the matching partial serial number “3286” is on the loading lever and arbor pin, along with “73286” on the
wedge. The barrel has a dovetailed blade front sight, and a “2” is marked on the left side of the barrel lug. The revolver is fitted with an
attractive ivory grip and comes in a fitted mahogany case marked “PATENT APR. 1854” on the rear top base with a Great Seal of the U.S.
themed pocket flask, blued “COLTS/PATENT” and “31 PKT” marked ball/bullet mold, key, and a cap tin.
CONDITION: Good with traces of original blue finish, some dark original case colors, mostly smooth gray and brown patina on the balance
of the iron, 60% original silver plating concentrated on the trigger guard and front strap, attractively aged patina on the silver and brass,
and fairly minor overall wear including some light pitting. The cylinder has had a chamber welded/repaired and has “antiqued” finish in
this area. The grip is also fine and has very attractive natural aged patina and grain, thin age lines, and a small chip at the toe on the right. Mechanically functions. The case and accessories are very good to fine with mild age and
storage related wear.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3266
Presentation Cased Deluxe New York
Engraved Gold Plated Colt Model 1860 Army
Percussion Revolver with Relief Carved Eagle
Ivory Grip - Serial no. 51389, 44 cal., 8 inch round
bbl., silver/gold finish, carved antique ivory grips. This is a Civil War
production Colt Model 1860 Army revolver with three screw frame that
was manufactured in 1862. The revolver is decorated with deluxe New
York Germanic scroll engraving on a punch dot background. The well-
executed scrollwork covers approximately three-quarters of the barrel
and muzzle, the loading lever, the front half of the cylinder, the frame,
hammer, trigger guard, and back strap. The outstanding, well-executed antique ivory grip is
checkered, and the left side of the grip has a detailed raised relief carved motif of an eagle
feeding three eaglets in the nest. The barrel and brass trigger guard are silver plated, and
the cylinder and loading lever are gold plated. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the
one-line legend “-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA -” in a panel formed
by scroll engraving. “COLTS/PATENT” is stamped in two lines on the left side of the frame.
The serial number is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, and
back strap. The partial serial number “1389” is stamped on the cylinder. All of the visible
serial numbers match. The revolver comes in a deluxe presentation case with figured lid, blank escutcheon, wine colored lining, “COLT’S/PATENT” bullet mold with three “D. H. DARLING” markings, L-shaped combination tool, oiler,
cleaning rod, cap tin, nipple tin, “COLTS/PATENT” martial themed powder flask with slanted charger, cartridge pack, and some bullets. This set would have made an excellent piece for presentation to a Union officer during the Civil
War or as a donation to one of the sanitary fairs used to raise funds for injured and sick Union soldiers.
CONDITION: Very good. The revolver has a smooth steel-gray patina on the barrel, loading lever, cylinder frame, and back strap. Traces of gold-plated finish are visible on protected areas of the rebated portion of the cylinder and on
the top of the loading lever. The silver plated finish is visible on the underside of the barrel and on protected areas of the brass trigger guard. The well-executed scroll engraving remains sharp. All of the serial numbers and factory
markings are clear. The extraordinary carved ivory grip has a pleasant yellow patina and is very fine overall. The relief carved eagles on the grip are sharp. Mechanically functions. The case and accessories are fine with mild wear on
the exterior including a crack on the underside, minor fading of the lining, and general mild age and storage related wear. This is a nice example of a deluxe New York Retailer engraved Civil War Era Colt Model 1860 Army revolver
with outstanding relief carved ivory grip.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
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