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LOT 3146
Civil War Era Bacon Manufacturing
Company Series I/Excelsior Single
Action Pocket Revolver - Serial no.
249, 31 percussion cal., 4 inch octagon bbl., blue finish,
walnut grips. This interesting Bacon Manufacturing
Company revolver was produced under Thomas K. Bacon after he left
Manhattan Firearms to start his second of three attempts to form a successful
firearms company of his own. This example is a Series I or Excelsior which is
essentially a copy of a Manhattan model, manufactured from the late 1850s to the late 1860s
with less than a thousand estimated to have been produced. The top barrel flat is marked “BACON MANUF’G OC(sic)/NORWICH CT” with scroll engraving on
the frame. The 5-shot cylinder has five sporting vignettes;
three with a hunter, one with a male elk, and one with
a reposed female elk. Matching serial number on the
underside of the barrel, the loading lever, the loading
lever catch, on the wedge, and on the frame under the
left grip panel. It was finished blue with a casehardened
loading lever and fitted with smooth varnished walnut
grips with a faint “10” marking on the butt of the left panel.
CONDITION: Extremely fine. The pistol retains 95% plus of the original finish on the barrel, 75% on the cylinder, and 40% on the frame and grip straps with a mixture of brown and aged gray patina on the exposed surfaces and some minor scratches and marks. The case colors are clearly visible on the loading arm and lever. The engraving is crisp and clear. The grips are very fine with some minor wear of the varnish on right panel and lower left. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,750
LOT 3147
Civil War Era
Commercial
Production Colt
Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver - Serial
no. 108350, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver
finish, walnut grips. This Colt Model 1861 Navy revolver was manufactured in
1851 and has the commercial style finish. Many of the Colt’s sold on the open
market during the Civil War were purchased to arm Union soldiers both as
government purchases and private purchases. This revolver has a brass cone front sight, one-line New York barrel address, standard cylinder scene, “COLTS/PATENT” on the left side of the frame, and matching visible serial numbers along with “2” below the serial numbers on the trigger guard and butt.
CONDITION: Very good plus with 70% original silver plating remaining on the grip straps, gray and brown patina on the barrel and cylinder, mostly silvered out patterns of case colors visible on the frame, mild oxidation,
and general signs of hard use. The grip is fine and has mild lower edge wear, strong original varnish, and mild scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3148
Very Fine W.
Schnorrenberg Copy of Colt
Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver with Bone
Grips - Serial no. 13403, 36 percussion cal., 5 7/8 inch octagon
bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, bone grips. The top barrel flat is marked
“CAP SYSTEM MANUFACTURED BY W. SCHNORRENBERG,” and the cylinder has a
Brooklyn Bridge scene. The number “5” is marked on the right side of the frame,
and various proofs are found on the major components. Casehardened hammer and
frame, silver plated grip straps, and remaining surfaces are blue.
CONDITION: Very fine. The revolver retains 75% original blue finish with the balance a mix of
smooth brown and gray patinas. Nearly all of the cylinder scene remains. The frame and hammer retain 90% original case colors. The grip straps retain 70% original silver finish. A number “1” in black vinyl is on the butt. The slightly ill-fitting grip is very good with some chipping along the back strap. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 3149
Fine Cased Colt Model 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolver
- Serial no.
98871, 31 cal.,
5 inch octagon
bbl., blue/
casehardened/
silver finish,
walnut grips.
Manufactured in
1854. The barrel
has a brass cone
front sight and
the two-line “{ADDRESS SAML COLT/NEW YORK CITY}” address. The cylinder has the classic stagecoach hold-up scene. The barrel lug has a “2” on the left. The frame has the small “COLTS/PATENT” marking on the left side. The trigger guard has an “8” and an “X” on the left. The revolver has matching serial numbers, including on the grip. It comes in a fitted hardwood case with an eagle and crossed revolvers pattern pocket flask, blued ball/bullet mold, cap tin, and L-shaped screwdriver.
CONDITION: Fine with 75% plus original blue finish on the barrel, 95% plus original silver plating which has
taken on an attractive aged patina, 30% of the original case colors remaining and concentrated on the loading lever and protected areas, smooth gray patina on the balance, minor oxidation, and generally minor wear. The grip is also fine and has some light edge wear, minor dings and scratches, and nearly all of the original varnish. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good, missing a small partition and with worn lining, and the accessories are fine with mild age and storage related wear.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,250
LOT 3150
Colt Model 1855 “Root”
Sidehammer Percussion Pocket
Revolver with Desirable 4 1/2 Inch Barrel - Serial
no. 9579, 31 cal., 4 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
This revolver is the Model 6A variation of the Model 1855 “Root” revolver and was
manufactured in 1865. It has a brass post front sight on the two-stage barrel which is
marked “ADDRESS COL. COLT/NEW-YORK U.S.A.” on top at the breech, the stagecoach hold-
up scene on the cylinder, matching serial numbers on the bottom of the barrel and butt and the
side of the cylinder, and a varnished walnut grip.
CONDITION: Fine with 50% original blue finish remaining, smooth brown patina on the balance,
and mild marks and scratches mainly at the top of the back strap. The grip is very fine and has most of the original varnish, minor edge wear, and attractive grain. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
LOT 3151
Belgian Colt Brevete Model 1851 Navy
Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 6541, 36 percussion cal., 7 1/2 inch
octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. The rear of the
cylinder is marked with a Liege “E/LG” star proofmark. The cylinder has an
engraved floral scroll motif. The top barrel flat is marked “COLT/BREVETE” at the breech, and the left side has a “crown/V” proof. The matching serial number is marked on the frame, barrel and trigger guard. The trigger guard also has an additional number “136.” Fitted with a varnished one- piece walnut grip. The cylinder face has the “N Gilon” maker marking.
A collector’s number in vinyl is on the butt.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel retains 80% plus original blue finish
showing high edge wear and light spotting. The frame, cylinder,
hammer and loading lever have a mottled gray patina. The grip straps
retain nearly 20% original silver plating with the exposed brass having
an aged patina. The slightly undersized refinished grip is fine showing
some minor pressure dents and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
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