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LOT 1218
Exceptional Cased Colt Model 1855 Pocket “Root” Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 9770, 28 cal., 3 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Colt referred to this as the “New Model Revolving Pocket Pistol,” and collectors often refer to them as “Root” revolvers after Colt’s superintendent Elisha K. Root who took over as company president following Samuel Colt’s death until Root’s own passing in 1865. Given their sleek design which departs heavily from the usual Colt percussion revolvers along with their limited production and several production variations, these revolvers have long
been popular with collectors. George Armstrong Custer posed with his Model 1855 Pocket for his West Point portrait in 1859. His appears to have been the same “Model 2” variation as this example which was manufactured in 1856. It
has a cone front sight, manicule followed by “+COLT’S PT./1855+” and “ADDRESS COL. COLT/HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.+” on top of the barrel, loading lever that is round for most of the arm and then octagonal at the rear, the cabin and Indian fight scene on the cylinder, screw securing the cylinder pin, and matching serial
numbers visible on the barrel, cylinder, and butt. It comes in a fitted case with maroon or “wine” colored lining, cartridge pack, tiny eagle pattern flask, a few cartridges, and a Colt’s patent brass dual cavity ball/
bullet mold with iron sprue cutter.
CONDITION: Extremely fine. The revolver retains 85% plus bright original high polish blue finish with some fading to smooth brown and gray patina mainly at the edges, some light scratches and handling marks, and generally only
minor wear. The grip is excellent and has the nearly all of the glossy original varnish remaining, some slight flaking on the butt, and minor edge wear. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are very fine and have minor age and storage related wear. A very attractive case set all around. Provenance: The Don and Carol Wilkerson Collection. Estimate: 6,000 - 8,000
LOT 1219
Factory Engraved Colt Model 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolver with Inscription - Serial
no. 95030, 31 cal., 4 inch octagon bbl., blue/ casehardened/silver finish, deluxe factory walnut grips. This revolver
was manufactured in 1854 and features the classic German-American scroll
engraving associated with Master Engraver Gustave Young. Comparing the engraving on this
revolver to others identified via the “Young lists” confirms it was engraved by him and/or his employees. Many of the early engravers at Colt in the 1850s were recent German immigrants who are believed to have trained at the Industrial School in Zella. The engraving is
exceptionally fine and detailed and covers over half of the barrel, all of the frame, the flat sides of the loading lever arm, the trigger guard bow,
and the top and bottom of the back strap. It primarily consists of classic Germanic scroll patterns with punched backgrounds and floral accents. The scrolls include complex interlaced designs that Young also later used while engraving for Smith & Wesson and have detailed accent marks
associated with Gustave Young’s work in general. Note in particular the animal head designs on the left side of the barrel and frame. The barrel has the ornate “Saml Colt” inscription rather than the usual barrel address, and the frame has the “COLTS/PATENT” marking engraved in a panel in place of the usual patent marking.
It has matching serial numbers and the factory “dot” marking by the lower serial number locations designating the revolver for special finishing. Instead of the usual pin/cone front sight, this revolver has a dovetailed blade. The back strap is inscribed “H.H.T. to H.K.M.” No
additional information is available identifying the individuals involved.
CONDITION: Very good with 85% original silver plating remaining on the grip frame and
displaying an attractive aged patina, 30% original blue finish on the barrel, gray patina on the
balance, a few patches of mild pitting, repaired loading lever, crisp engraving, and general mild
overall wear. The refinished grip has nice figure, mild scratches and dings, light edge wear, and
much of the varnish. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
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