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LOT 146
Fine Colt Model 1855 Percussion
Revolving Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial
no. 10019, 56 cal., 21 inch part octagon
bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. These “New Model” revolving rifles, carbines, and shotguns were
manufactured in a variety of configurations from 1855 to 1864. Of the 18,300 manufactured, only 2,300 where .56 caliber
carbines with 21 inch barrels. However, this carbine is rarer in that it is one of the roughly 2,000 .56 caliber carbines (various barrel lengths) with
London proofs, and, unlike most of those 2,000, this one has an iron buttplate rather than the brass buttplates typically found on the London carbines. It
also has a brass blade front sight, three leaf rear sight (one standing), the standard one-line address on the top strap, patent markings in one of the cylinder
flutes and left side of the frame, saddle ring and stud on the left, and smooth buttstock. The matching serial number is visible on the bottom of the barrel, frame, and trigger guard as
well as at the toe of the buttplate. The left side of the stock also has an old collection inventory number “2704” stamped in it.
CONDITION: Fine with 40% plus original blue finish, smooth brown patina on the faded areas, mild pitting, attractive aged patina on the brass trigger guard, and generally fairly minor overall wear. The stock is very fine and has some scattered minor storage dings, a very minuscule hairline crack on the right at the junction with the frame, and light wear. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate:
16,000 - 22,500
LOT 147
Very Scarce Small Frame 20 Gauge Colt Model 1855
Percussion Revolving Shotgun - Serial no. 512, 20 gauge, 30 inch part
octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Only an estimated 500 of these 20
gauge small frame revolving shotguns were manufactured c. 1860-1863 based
on the upscaled Model 1855 Pocket design making this classic shotgun among the scarcest Colt
percussion firearms. The round barrel has a nickel-silver bead front sight and an under-rib with two pipes holding the main section of the cleaning rod. The
top strap groove has “COL. COLT HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.” The left side of the frame and one of the cylinder flutes have the patent markings. The matching serial number is on the barrel, inside of the
forearm (pencil), bottom of the frame, and toe of the buttplate. It is mounted with a smooth forearm with German silver forend cap and escutcheons and a multi-point checkered buttstock with shotgun buttplate. CONDITION: Very good with strong traces of bright original blue in the protected areas of the frame mainly by the hammer, mix of faded original finish and some artificial brown on the barrel along with gray and brown patina, mild pitting mainly on the frame and cylinder, and general moderate overall wear. The refinished wood is very good and has a repaired crack in the wrist, crisp checkering, and general minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 148
LOT 149
Historic Grouping of Six Colt Related Documents,
One Addressed to Samuel Colt - The grouping includes
six documents total, all of which pertain to the Colt Patent
Firearms Manufacturing Company. The first letter, dated 9
August 1859, is from the Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance
and Hydrography (U.S. Navy), and is a request for 100 of
Colt’s rifles to be sent to the Washington navy yard that
are “similar in all respects to the one recently tested by
a Board of Officers at that yard.” This letter is addressed to Col.
Samuel Colt, and is undoubtedly a reference to the Model 1855 revolving rifle. Two of the letters, dated 1874 and 1876, are correspondence on Colt letterhead with Adams Nickel Plating & Mfg. Co. of South Windham, Connecticut, that appear to pertain to the outsourcing of nickel plating firearms parts by Colt. Another document appears to be
a brief note on shipping. Another letter on Colt letterhead, dated 12 October 1861, is addressed to James Savage Esq. of the U.S. Commissary Department, and is a reply to a note by him that appears to be requesting Colt rifles that can accept a bayonet, which may be the Model 1861 Special rifle-musket produced by the company. Also included is a Colt advertisement pamphlet from around the same period as the other documents, which is printed on blue paper.
CONDITION: All of the documents are fine or better with distinct markings and very minimal wear.
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
Very Scarce Package of Colt Revolving
Rifle Combustible Cartridges and a Colt
Retailer Price List - Developed in 1855
and manufactured until 1864, the Colt “New
Model Revolving Rifle” introduced a nearly
unprecedented rate of fire for a long gun in a world still dominated by single
shot muzzleloaders. These revolving rifles saw limited military use, including
initially with Berdan’s sharpshooters before they were later issued with Sharpes
rifles. The revolving rifles had their issues, including an excessive reload time
after the discharge of six shots, as well as occasionally discharging all six shots at
once which was problematic considering the position of the shooters forehand.
This lot includes a very scarce, factory sealed package of five combustible cartridges for the revolving rifle that are wrapped in brown paper with clear Colt labeling in black ink. Also included is a blue paper 1861 pricing list marked in black ink that states that it is for merchants and dealers. The list includes pricing for all of the models available from Colt in 1861 (including the revolving rifles and shotguns) as well as pricing for engraving and accessories.
CONDITION: Fine, the paper packaging of the cartridges shows some mild wear but remains sealed with mostly crisp labeling. The price list is also fine with some fold marks and mild wear. A very rare pair of Colt collectibles that one would search a very long time to add to their collection!
146 Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500