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Estimate: 25,000 - 40,000
LOT 181
Exceptional Presentation Cased Colt Model 1861 Navy Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 36300, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. The Model 1861 Navy is one of the most popular Colt percussion revolvers with collectors, but they are considerably rarer than many of Colt’s other
percussion revolvers. For example, only 38,843 of these revolvers were manufactured compared to around 272,000 of the Model 1851 Navy revolvers. Cased
examples in high condition are especially valuable. This revolver was manufactured in 1872 near the end of production while percussion revolvers still remained very popular but just as they were about to be eclipsed by centerfire revolvers like the Colt Single Action Army. The high polish blue finished barrel has a German silver blade front
sight, “-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-” on top, a casehardened “creeping” loading lever, and the matching serial number on the bottom of the lug. The cylinder also has the bright high polish blue finish and displays the classic Naval Battle of Campeche roll scene and “COLTS PATENT No 300.” The casehardened frame has “COLTS/PATENT” on the left, the full serial number on the bottom at the front, and a capping groove on the right. The arbor pin is marked with the matching partial serial number “6300.” The trigger guard and back strap were plated in silver and have the matching full serial number. The left side of the trigger guard also has 36 CAL” on the left at the rear. The partitioned case contains a single face stand of arms and flags powder flask with a slanted charger, W. & C. Eley cap tin, several cartridges, a cartridge pack, and a blued bullet mold marked “COLTS/PATENT” (double stamped) on the sprue cutter and “36B” on the right side. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The barrel retains 90% plus of the original blue finish and has some minor wear at the muzzle and breech and mild scratches and dings mainly by the wedge. 95% plus of the fiery original case colors remain. The cylinder retains 60% of the original blue finish and has gray patina on the balance, a distinct roll scene, solid safety pins, and minor drag lines. The trigger guard and back strap retain 50% of the original age darkened silver plating and have natural aged patina on the exposed brass. The grip is extremely fine and has most of the original varnish, some minor dings and scratches, light edge wear, and a slight flake at the toe on the right. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are fine with mild wear mostly from age and storage, including contact wear on the lining and a few dents on the flask. Overall, this is a very
attractive cased set. Colt Model 1861 Navy revolvers are already comparably hard to find, and high condition, cased examples are scarce.
Provenance: The Norm Vegely Collection.