Page 133 - 88-BOOK1

LOT 141
Exceptional Cased Colt Round Barrel Pocket Navy Conversion Revolver
with Ejector and Ammunition - Serial no. 4186, 38 RF cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. This revolver is one of the finest examples extant of the estimated 2,000 manufactured by Colt c. 1873-1875. These revolvers were further split into both .38 rimfire and .38 centerfire variants making them particularly rare, especially in such high condition. These revolvers were manufactured at the same time as the early Colt Single Action Army revolvers. The revolver has the round barrel of the Model 1862 Police and the non-fluted cylinder of the Pocket Navy. The barrel has a cone front sight, the one-line New York address, and an ejector fit on the right side. The rebated cylinder has the stagecoach holdup scene and is numbered “170.” The frame has the “COLTS/PATENT” marking on the left and a “4215” assembly numbered loading gate on the right. The barrel, frame, trigger guard, and butt have the serial number, “4186,” and an “N” (presumably for nickel) is marked below the serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap.
The revolver comes in a fitted hardwood case with a large cartridge block full of .38 rimfire ammunition as well as an L-shaped screwdriver and a key. The left end of the case has an aged collection label listing the revolver by serial number.
CONDITION: Excellent with 95% plus original nickel plating remaining, crisp markings, bright original niter blue on the screws, some minor flaking mainly at the muzzle, and generally minimal storage related wear overall. The grip is also excellent and has essentially all of the original finish, a small dent on the upper left, and slight edge wear. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine and has mild age and storage related wear including some fading and staining on the lining. This is an incredible example of a very scarce Colt model. These revolvers represent the transitional period from the Colt percussion revolvers to the classic Single Action Army and other early Colt cartridge revolvers. Many of these revolvers show signs of hard use making exceptional examples like this particularly rare and desirable.
Provenance: The Norm Vegely Collection.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
131