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LOT 166
Very Scarce “Wedge Over Screw” First Model Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 584, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/ silver finish, walnut grips. This Model 1851 was manufactured in 1850 (the first year of production) and is one of possibly as few as 800 Model 1851 Navy revolvers manufactured with the barrel wedge
LOT 164
U.S. Colt Second Model Dragoon Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 10344, 44 cal., 7 1/2 inch part octagon
bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. Only an estimated 2,700 Colt Second Model
Dragoon revolvers were manufactured around 1850 and 1851 compared to
7,000 of the First Model Dragoons and 10,500 Third Model Dragoons. They are thus by far the scarcest of the
primary Colt Dragoon revolvers that are the descendants of Colt’s massive Model 1847 Walker revolver. They weigh around 4 pounds and thus were designed specifically for mounted use and to be carried in pommel holsters. The Second Model Dragoon revolver features are the combination of square-back trigger guard and rectangular cylinder stops. The U.S. contract Colt Dragoon revolvers were used primarily by the First and Second Dragoon Regiments and the U.S. Regiment of Mounted Riflemen from 1849 until the Civil War, and many saw use by the Union and Confederate cavalry throughout the Civil War. The barrel has the one-line New York address, the frame is marked “COLTS/PATENT/US,” the cylinder retains traces of the Texas Ranger and Indian fight scene, “B” inspector initials appear on the barrel, frame, cylinder, and back strap, and faint cartouche on each side of the grip. The loading lever is a replacement (“0357”). Matching serial numbers appear on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, arbor pin, and wedge. CONDITION: Good as a well traveled U.S. sidearm, heavily used in a hostile environment. Subsequently this revolver was had some professional restoration to include re-engraving the barrel address. The replacement cylinder has been professionally renumbered to match. The weathered, well worn grip shows similar authentic working gun character. Mechanically fine. One of only an estimated 2,700 Colt Second Model Dragoon revolvers that are becoming difficult to find in any condition. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 165
Short Barreled Colt Model 1862 Police Percussion “Avenging Angel” Revolver - Serial no. 23992, 36 cal., 2 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. This interesting Colt revolver was manufactured in 1863 during the middle of the American Civil War and subsequently modified by cutting the barrel back to just 2 1/2 inches, fitting a dovetailed blade front sight, removing the loading lever, and filling the loading lever slot with lead, making it what collectors refer to as an “Avenging Angel.” It is easy to imagine this revolver being shortened for some government secret agent work or carried by a gambler or seedy Confederate arms dealer. There are period references to “cutoff” Colt Police revolvers (see for example the Los Angeles Herald on October 28, 1874). Unlike most Colts with similar modifications, this revolver remains in fairly high condition. The barrel has “SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA” on top. The other markings are standard, including matching serial numbers aside from the wedge which is marked “3608.” CONDITION: Fine as period modified with 50% of the original blue finish remaining on the shortened barrel, traces of original silver on the grip strap, and 70% of the case colors remaining. The balance of the steel has mostly smooth gray patina. The grip straps have attractive aged patina. The grip is very good and has moderate handling wear, mild lower edge wear, some dent on the butt, and general wear appropriate for a revolver that saw real period use. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
positioned over the screw that distinguish the First Models. The Model 1851 Navy was originally known as the “Ranger Model” and became Colt’s most popular service model and was manufactured
in many variations between 1850 and 1873 leaving many variations for collectors to acquire, but the First Model variation is particularly hard to find. This revolver is even rarer in that it features a “U.S.” marking under the “COLT’S/PATENT” marking on the left side of the frame. Per an included copy of an appraisal from Leon C. Jackson of Jackson Arms, only six “U.S.” marked First Model ‘51 Navy revolvers are known, and he indicated they were
issued to the U.S. Army Medical Department. (We have not documentation on this.) The barrel has a brass post front sight, “-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-” marked on top of the barrel, and the wedge positioned over the retaining screw. The cylinder has the classic Naval Battle of Campeche roll scene. The trigger guard is the early square back design. The grips have the early “Slim Jim” profile. The matching serial number is marked on the barrel, wedge, arbor pin, cylinder, loading lever, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. CONDITION: Good a mixture of artificial with dark gray and brown patina, some mild pitting under the finish mainly on the cylinder and professionally renumbered, replaced wedge retention screw, and general moderate overall wear. The slightly undersized, revarnished grip is also good and has mild lower edge wear and minor chips at the toe. Mechanically fine. This is a nice opportunity to get your hands on a solid representative example of the scarce First Model ‘51 Navy! Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 167
174
Fine Colt Pocket Navy 4 1/2 Inch Octagon Barrel Cartridge Conversion Revolver - Serial no. 845, 38 RF cal., 4 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. Only around 2,000 “Pocket Navy” revolvers were converted to the 4 1/2 inch octagon barrel .38 rimfire configuration c. 1873-1875. These revolvers had no ejector attached to the barrel and had their loading lever cutouts filled. On this example the lower portion for the rammer remains open. The top barrel flat is marked “ADDRESS COL. SAML. COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA.” The two-line 1871 and 1872 patent markings are on the left of the frame. “36 CAL” is on the left of the trigger guard, and “COLTS PATENT/No. 845” is on the cylinder along with the stagecoach holdup scene. Matching serial numbers are also on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The arbor and loading gate are marked with the assembly number “972.”“GM 38” is hand marked on the butt of the grip to the left. CONDITION: Fine with 25% original blue finish, 70% of the lightly fading original case colors, 30% original silver plating, smooth gray and brown patina on the balance of the iron, aged patina on the exposed brass, and general minor overall wear. The grip is also fine and has mild lower edge wear, some scrapes on the left, and minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500