Page 147 - 87-BOOK3

engraving in the mid-1850s and the work generally attributed to
Master Engraver Gustave Young. On this example, the use of rayed decoration
on the sides of the barrel lug, as well as on the frame and sides of the back
strap are elements Herbert Houze has associated with Young as is his use of
floral bloom accents among the scrolls. This revolver also has the “Saml Colt”
inscription on the barrel rather than the stamped barrel address and the
“COLTS/PATENT” marking inscribed in a panel on the left side of the frame
rather than the stamped patent marking. The barrel has a brass post front
sight, the cylinder has the standard stagecoach holdup scene, matching
serial numbers are marked on the various metal components, and the factory
dot marking designating special finishing is by the lower serial numbers.
The revolver comes in a London agency style fitted oak case with a loading
and cleaning directions label inside the lid, a cleaning rod, an L-shaped
combination tool, an iron ball/bullet mold with sprue cutter, cap tin with W. &
C. Eley label, and bag shaped James Dixon & Sons powder flask.
CONDITION: Very good plus with crisp engraving, 90% original silver plating
remaining on the grip frame and aged patina on the silver and brass, 25%
original blue finish on the barrel mainly on the lower barrel flats, mostly gray patina on the balance, some mild pitting, and mild wear. The slightly age shrunken grip is very fine and has attractive natural patina and grain, a few tiny age cracks, and mild handling wear. Mechanically fine. The case is very good with mild wear. The accessories are generally good with mild age and storage related wear, and the flask is very good with only minor wear. Overall, this is a very attractive cased set centered on a classic mid-1850s factory engraved Colt ‘49 Pocket.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
LOT 3208
Scarce Factory Engraved Colt “Root” Model
1855 Sidehammer Pocket Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 26807, 28 cal., 3 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, highly figured walnut grips. This classic Colt
“Model 3” variation “Root” revolver was manufactured in 1861, the final year of .28 caliber production. Unlike the earlier “Model 3” revolvers, this one is late enough that it drops the
pointing hand motif on the barrel before the “+COLT’S PT./1855+” and “ADDRESS COL. COLT/HARTFORD CT. USA.+”
barrel markings, but it retains the distinctive full-fluted cylinder. It has beautiful factory scroll engraving likely executed by Herman Bodenstein and
is similar to other examples attributed to him in Houze’s “Colt Factory Engravers of the 19th Century.” Bodenstein became the primary engraving contractor for Colt when Gustave Young returned to Germany in 1858 and remained the primary engraver until his untimely death by drowning in 1865. Much of Bodenstein’s work
has been mis-attributed to Young over the years. The engraving consists of classic scroll engraving with punched backgrounds along with some borders. The barrel has a cone front sight, and the top strap has a groove rear sight. Matching serial numbers are on the bottom of the barrel and butt. The back of the cylinder
has a “G” and the matching serial number stamped over a different number. The grip has some nice figure and a glossy “piano” varnish.
CONDITION: Fine. The engraving remains crisp. 40% original blue finish remains. The hammer and loading lever have some areas of bright original case colors. The balance has a mix of silver-gray and brown
patinas, and there is some isolated minor oxidation and pitting. The cylinder has a very noticeable crack/fracture visible at one of the chambers, and the safety notches are filed off. It mechanically needs work: the cylinder rebounds when the hammer is lowered, and the hammer doesn’t have a half-cock and has a replacement screw. The grip is also fine and has minor lower edge wear, nice figure, and 90%
of the original varnish remaining. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
145
LOT 3207
Cased Factory Engraved Colt Model 1849 Pocket
Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 86274, 31 cal., 5 inch octagon bbl., blue/
casehardened/silver finish, antique ivory grips. This revolver was manufactured in 1854 in the factory No. 2 style and features scroll and floral engraving on approximately half of the barrel, the sides of the
loading lever, all of the frame, and sections of the grip frame. The engraving is typical of the factory