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substantial 2.84 pounds, it is much heavier than the standard 2.125 lb. Second Model pistols. Its frame is piped with a two-line border, and the scalloped leading edge of the top frame mirrors those details of the Collier rifle in the Musee de l’Armee, Paris, a sample made for military evaluation. In addition, the lettering “E. H. COLLIER, LONDON” on both weapons is identical. The .53 cal. Damascus twist barrel, stamped with London “V”’ and “GP” proof marks, is rifled with 16 grooves, making it the world’s first revolving cylinder pistol fitted with a rifled barrel, some 12 years before Colt secured his 1836 patent. The mechanism and straw-blued springs of the lock are robust, as one would expect for a military weapon. These components are in excellent condition, as is the flared-pommel walnut stock.
LOT 1290
Rare and Historically
Significant Engraved Collier
Percussion Revolver - NSN, 54 cal., 8 1/4 inch solid rib bbl.,
brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut grips. Elisha Collier was
no different from any other gunmaker in that he worked hard to
secure lucrative military contracts for his revolver designed in
1818. Close inspection of papers in the British Library indicates
that Collier met with England’s Ordnance Board at Woolwich
twice, once in 1819 and again in 1824. Collier presented his
revolvers to aristocratic committees that included the Duke of Wellington and Lord Somerset, later Lord Raglan—the infamous General of “Charge of the Light Brigade” fame. Of over 70 Colliers known today, there is a rare group of three that were set up as military weapons, likely presented at the 1824 Woolwich Trials and elsewhere. This unique and super-rare Collier revolver fits comfortably in this sample made for evaluation.
The five-shot, hand-turned revolver has a substantial 8 in barrel. With the added length of the cylinder, it is in line with the 9 in barrels of 1820s military pistols. Weighing a