Page 158 - 87-BOOK1

LOT 181
Exceptional Cased Colt Model 1855 Pocket “Root” Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 4340, 31 cal., 3 5/8 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Colt referred to this
as the “New Model Revolving Pocket Pistol.” These were the only solid frame Colt percussion revolvers to enter production and are
certainly one of the most distinctive Colt percussion revolvers. The Model 1855 revolving long guns are based on the same basic design scaled up. With
their sleek and radically different design compared to Samuel Colt’s other revolvers and their limited production of around 34,000 total split between
.28 and .31 calibers and multiple variations, they are naturally popular with collectors. This high condition example is a “Model 5” variation
manufactured in 1862 with a full-fluted cylinder and round barrel marked with the two-line “ADDRESS
COL. SAML COLT/NEW-YORK U.S.A.” One of the cylinder flutes has the “PATENTED SEPT. 10th 1850”
marking. The frame has the push-button cylinder pin release, and the pin has the “MAY 4th 1856”
patent marking. The bottom of the barrel, rear of the cylinder, and butt have matching serial numbers.
The case has red lining, a cartridge pack, several balls, a key, Union Metallic Cartridge Co. tin, eagle
powder flask, L-shaped screwdriver, and a blued Colt’s patent dual cavity ball/bullet mold.
CONDITION: Excellent with 90% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish, some minor fading at the edges, bright original case colors, smooth gray and light brown patina on the balance, and minor overall wear mainly from light handling and storage. The grip is also excellent and has nearly all of the original varnish remaining, very slight edge wear, and a few tiny marks. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are all very fine and have mostly light wear aside from a minor crack on the case lid. This is a very fine example of one of the famous “Root” revolvers nicknamed after Colt’s superintendent and later company president.
Provenance: The Don and Carol Wilkerson Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 10,000
156
LOT 182
Excellent Cased Colt Model 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 264895, 31
cal., 4 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/ silver finish, walnut grips. Over a quarter of a million of
these handy revolvers were in circulation by the final year of the Civil War, so it should come as no surprise that they were used as privately owned sidearms
by soldiers fighting on both sides of the conflict. What is surprising, is that this revolver has survived in such high condition. It does not appear to have spent much time outside of its case for more than a century and a half. This “six-
shooter” was manufactured in 1864 and has the standard markings and features,
including matching serial numbers on the barrel, wedge, arbor pin, cylinder, frame, trigger guard,
and back strap. It comes in a fitted case with dark red lining, several balls, a small eagle powder flask,
L-shaped combination tool, Eley Bros. cap tin, cartridge pack, and brass Colt’s patent ball/bullet mold
without a sprue cutter.
CONDITION: Excellent with 95% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish, 97% vibrant original
case colors, 80% original silver plating on the grip frame, light aged patina on the silver and brass, and
general mild overall wear. The grip is also excellent and retains nearly all of the glossy original varnish,
minor lower edge wear, and faint handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. The case and
accessories are also very fine with mild age and storage related wear. This is an incredible example of a six-shot Colt Model 1849 Pocket from the latter part of the Civil War complete with a case and accessories. Provenance: The Don and Carol Wilkerson Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 9,500