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LOT 172
Exceptional Cased London Proofed Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 128625, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut grips. This attractive Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver was manufactured in 1862 for the British market and has the iron grip straps and the London proof and view marks stamped on the barrel and cylinder. The barrel has the one-line New
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LOT 171
Excellent Cased Colt Model 1855 “Root” Sidehammer Percussion Pocket Revolver - Serial no. 14181, 28 cal., 3 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. The Colt Model 1855 “Root” revolvers were designed by Samuel Colt and were nicknamed by collectors after his factory foreman and superintendent Elisha K. Root. Colt referred to them as the “New Model Revolving Pocket Pistols.”They are the only Colt percussion revolvers to feature a solid frame and spur trigger. They certainly rank among the most attractive of all American percussion pocket pistols. Nonetheless, production was limited to only around 30,000 in the diminutive .28 caliber in 1855-1861 and another 14,000 in .31 caliber in 1860-1870 compared to over 300,000 of the larger Model 1849 Pocket revolvers. Given their attractive and distinctive style, multiple variations, and rarity, these revolvers are highly sought after by collectors today. As a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, a young George Armstrong Custer posed with his “Root” revolver just prior to the Civil War. This “Model 2” variant was manufactured in 1856 with an octagon barrel with cone front sight and the pointing hand motif ahead of the patent and Hartford address, cylinder with the cabin and Indian scene, varnished one-piece grip, and matching serial numbers on the barrel, butt, and cylinder. The wood case contains an eagle powder flask, brass “COLT’S/PATENT” double cavity bullet mold, Eley cap tin, a cleaning rod, L-shaped screwdriver, and a key.
CONDITION: Excellent. This revolver remains in extraordinarily high condition and retains 90% plus of the original high polish blue finish with only minimal light edge wear and spots of minor flaking. The hammer and loading lever also retain nearly all of their vibrant original case colors. The cylinder scene and markings remain crisp. The grip is likewise excellent and has nearly all of the high gloss varnish remaining, some nice figure, and minor handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are all very fine and have minimal light age and storage related wear. The flask spring and screwdriver retain nearly all of their bright blue finish. This is truly an exceptional example of a Colt Model 1855 “Root” Pocket revolver. Provenance: The Norm Vegely Collection. Estimate: 9,500 - 14,000
York address. The frame has the “COLTS/PATENT” marking on the left side. The cylinder has the Naval Battle of Campeche scene. The barrel, cylinder, and grip straps are blued, the loading lever, hammer, and frame are casehardened, and the grip is varnished walnut. The letter “E” is stamped above or below the full matching serial number on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. Matching partial serial numbers appear on the cylinder, wedge, loading lever, and arbor pin. The revolver comes in a partitioned case containing a metal cleaning rod, a package of Colt Police pistol 36 caliber combustible envelope cartridges, an “L” shaped combination tool, James Dixon & Sons powder flask, “COLTS PATENT” marked double cavity bullet mold, and an Eley Brothers cap tin.
CONDITION: Very fine. 80% bright original high polish blue finish remains on the barrel, 20% original blue finish remains on the cylinder, and 30% original blue finish remains on the trigger guard and back strap in and around the protected areas, otherwise a smooth brown-gray patina with some scattered pitting mostly on the barrel and cylinder. The cylinder retains most of the scene. The frame retains 70% original case colors. 60% original case colors remain on the loading lever. Patterns of original case colors remain on the hammer. The grip is excellent with scattered handling marks and most of the original varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good with a few cracks on the refinished lid, splice repair, minor handling/storage marks, and high spot wear on the lining. Provenance: The Norm Vegely Collection. Estimate: 9,500 - 14,000