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LOT 145
Beautiful London Bird’s Eye Maple Cased Exhibition Quality Gold Damascened Colt London Model 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 4355, 31 cal., 6 inch octagon bbl., gold finish, walnut grips. This highly decorated, exhibition quality Colt London Model 1849 features full coverage gold damascene floral pattern. It is not believed that Colt ever produced such decoration on one of their revolvers. The gold damascene was probably applied in India during the service life of the revolver and is an exceptional example of the damascene work occasionally found on Colt percussion revolvers that were used by British officers in India or Indian royalty. Samuel Colt’s Model 1849 Pocket was the most popular Colt revolver of the 19th century in the U.S. and was used from the California Gold Rush through the end of the Indian Wars, but the London ‘49 Pocket revolvers were much more limited with just an estimated 11,000 manufactured in 1853-1856 compared to over 325,000 of the Hartford ‘49 Pockets and 43,000 London Navy revolvers. Many of the London ‘49 Pocket revolvers were made at least in part in Hartford, but this one was likely completely made at the London factory in 1854. The top barrel flat has the Colt London two-line address: “ADDRESS COL. COLT/LONDON.” London proofs are stamped on the barrel and cylinder. The front sight is a period replacement dovetail blade. The cylinder retains the “COLT PATENT/No.” marking as well as being numbered to the gun. The left side of the frame is marked “COLTS/PATENT.” The revolver wears a one piece walnut grip with fully pierced through escutcheons, likely used for a lanyard during its service life. Matching full or partial serial numbers appear on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, wedge, and arbor pin.
It comes in a very scarce factory bird’s eye maple case. These cases were generally oak or mahogany. The partitioned presentation case features red felt lining, blank brass inscription plaque on the exterior of the lid and the Colt directions for loading and cleaning paper label on the interior of the lid. The case holds the following accessories: rare “COLTS POCKET FLASK” marked James Dixon & Sons bag shaped powder flask, “L” shaped combination tool, “COLT’S/ PATENT” conical and ball bullet mold with sprue cutter, cleaning rod, lead balls and bullets, and Eley Brothers cap tin.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 95% plus of the period gold damascene finish with scattered high edge wear and light flaking. The grip is fine with high edge wear and some minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The rare maple Colt London case is fine with minor handling/storage marks on the exterior and typical high edge wear on the lining. The bullet mold retains 70% original blue finish. The powder flask retains 95% original lacquer. Do not miss your opportunity to acquire this stunning London bird’s eye maple cased exhibition quality gold damascened Colt London Model 1849 Revolver! London Colt Model 1849 revolvers and all damascened Colts are scarce and highly desirable pieces.
Provenance: The Norm Vegely Collection.
Estimate: 15,000 - 25,000
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