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LOT 1171
Scarce and Exceptional Colt Model
1851 Navy Cartridge Conversion Revolver
- Serial no. 3170, 38 RF cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. This
revolver is a standard model Colt factory conversion
manufactured by Colt from previously unassembled and unfinished
M1851 Navy parts. Colt manufactured approximately 3,800 Model 1851 cartridge conversion revolvers in the mid-1870s. The revolver has the
distinctive features of “Type 1” factory alterations as assembled using unfinished parts: (1) the hole in the barrel lug for the
percussion loading lever has not been plugged, (2) the frame is fitted with a loading gate with internal spring actuated plunger,
(3) the improved Richards-Mason breech plate is contoured flush with the recoil shield, (4) the rimfire firing pin is attached to the
hammer by two lateral rivets, (5) the ejector housing is attached by a screw in the left side of the barrel lug and (6) the top of the
hammer spur has a bordered, oval, knurled panel. The full serial number, “3170” is visible on the bottom of the barrel
lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap and handwritten in black ink inside the grip mortise. The cylinder is roll-engraved
with the Texas Navy battle scene and stamped “COLTS PAT. No. 170”. Assembly number “497” stamped on the cylinder
pin and rear face of the loading gate. Unnumbered wedge. “-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-” roll-stamped on top of the barrel, “-PAT. JULY. 25, 1871-/- PAT. JULY. 2, 1872.-” in two lines on the left of the frame.
The brass back strap has a period oval shaped knurled section towards the top. Initials “JDS” carved in the top left of the grip, what appears to be a
ship carved in the top right, and two carved notches in the bottom left edge.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 75% plus of the attractive bright original high polish
blue finish on the barrel , 40% of the vibrant original case colors, and 20% of the original silver plating with a tarnished appearance concentrated around the iron trigger guard. Attractive bright golden patina on the brass back strap. The grip is very good with scattered scratches, general period wear along the bottom edges with some light crazing of the original varnish, and the mentioned period carvings. Mechanically excellent. With the limited examples of these Colt Model 1851 conversion revolvers seeing hard use out West, this example remains in a high state of condition comparatively and has a hint of frontier charm with period initials carved in the grip! Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 1172
Exceptionally Fine
Colt Model 1862 Police/
Pocket Navy Cartridge Conversion Revolver
with 3 1/2 Inch Barrel - Serial no. 2957, 38 RF cal., 3 1/2
inch round bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut
grips. Manufactured c. 1873-1880 as an original cartridge gun, this
is one of the more desirable variations of Colt’s early pocket size
“cartridge conversion” revolvers. Often termed the “solid barrel type”,
approximately 3,500 of these were made new by Colt as cartridge guns,
while approximately 6,500 were conversions of the Model 1849 Pocket. The 3 1/2 inch round
barrel has no provision for ejector or loading lever, and the percussion hammer is factory
modified to fire rimfire cartridges. The two-line Colt address is marked on top of the barrel,
“1871” and “1872” patent dates on the left of the frame, and “36 CAL” on the left of the trigger
guard. All visible numbers are matching.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 60% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish, 95% plus of the vibrant original case colors, and 40% plus of the original silver plating with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina or attractively aged brass. The grip is very fine with some scattered minor handling marks and retaining most of the varnish. Mechanically excellent.
168 Estimate: 3,500 - 5,000
LOT 1173
Fine U.S. Navy
Richards-Mason Conversion Colt Model
1861 Navy Revolver - Serial no. 7222, 38 CF
cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut
grips. The U.S. Navy had only purchased a few hundred Colt
1861 Navies during the Civil War. This revolver is one of those
revolvers and was originally manufactured in 1862 and was then
converted after the Civil War by Colt for the U.S. Navy. The U.S. Navy continued
to rely on converted Colt ‘51 and ‘61 Navy revolvers until the 1890s. These
revolvers are very rare with an estimated total production
of just 2,200. The barrel has a nickel-silver blade
front sight, and the top is roll-stamped
“-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK
U.S. AMERICA-.” The bottom of the
barrel has “R.W.M.[anchor].” The left
side of the frame is stamped with the
“-PAT. JULY. 25. 1871-/-PAT. JULY. 2.
1872-” over the original percussion
era “COLTS/PATENT” marking, and “36
CAL” is stamped on the left shoulder of
the trigger guard. The butt has “R.W.W.”
double stamped. The cylinder has the
classic Naval Battle of Campeche roll scene.
Matching serial numbers are visible on the barrel,
frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, and loading gate. The grip has “R.W.W.” on the upper right and “G66” on the lower right.
CONDITION: Fine with 60% plus of the bright factory refurbished case colors remaining on the frame, attractive aged patina on the grip straps, 40% blue finish on the barrel, 20% original blue finish on the cylinder, smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, and generally mild overall wear especially for a U.S. Navy sidearm. The grip is also fine and has smooth oiled finish, minor handling wear, some chipping at the toe, and distinct markings. Mechanically excellent. This is a very solid and attractive Colt Model 1861 Navy revolver. Only a few hundred of these were purchased for the U.S. Navy during the American Civil War, and they remained in service for many years making them difficult to find in fine condition.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 1174
Richards-Mason Conversion Colt Model 1860
Army Revolver - Serial no. 197023, 44 Colt CF cal., 8 inch round
bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. Reportedly 2,100 of these
Colt Model 1860 Richards-Mason conversions were manufactured circa
1877 and 1878 as cartridge revolvers using a mix of percussion revolver
parts on hand and newly fabricated components. They are one of the scarcest
Colt cartridge conversion revolver variations and were manufactured concurrently with the famous Colt Single Action Army but were more affordable options and are believed to have seen extensive use in the West. The revolver has the distinctive breech plate without a rear sight, a “7023” marked loading gate with external spring and a hammer with the added centerfire firing pin and notch rear sight. The ejector rod and housing are mounted
to the right side of the barrel. The top of the barrel has the one-line New York address. The
two-line 1871 and 1872 patent dates are on the left side of the frame stamped over traces of the original “COLT’S/ PATENT” marking, and “44 CAL” is on the left trigger guard shoulder. It is fitted with a varnished one-piece walnut grip marked “0239” in the rear mortise.
CONDITION: Fine with 40% original blue and casehardened finish, smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, mild dings and scratches, and hammering wear on the butt. The replacement grip is very good and has a spliced repair at the toe on the left, mild edge wear, and some flaking of the varnish. Mechanically excellent. This is both an attractive and scarce Colt Model 1860 Army revolver conversion.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250