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LOT 3119
Exceptional
and Attractive Cased Colt
London Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 33259, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl.,
blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. The Colt Model 1851 Navy is one of the defining
firearms of the 19th century. It became famous from its use in America from the
antebellum era through the Civil War and out on the frontier by
several well-known figures of the Old West, but it was also Samuel
Colt’s most significant handgun on the international stage in the
mid-19th century as he worked to establish his name abroad and was
the primary model produced at his short lived London factory that
was established after this model was shown to the world at the 1851
Great Exhibition in London. The London factory only manufactured
approximately 42,000 Model 1851s in 1853-1857 compared to the
over 215,000 ‘51 Navy revolvers that were produced at Colt’s Hartford
factory. This very fine cased London Navy was manufactured in 1855
and has the standard markings and features, including matching visible serial numbers, the London address, London proof and view marks on the barrel and cylinder, round head English screws, and blued iron grip frame. It comes in a London factory case with the directions for loading and cleaning label inside the lid, a cleaning rod, an L-shaped combination tool, a blued mold, a F. & E. Joyce cap tin, and a James Dixon & Sons flask.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 60% original blue finish, 90% plus vivid original case colors, mostly smooth brown patina on the balance, distinct markings and cylinder scene, safety pins, and generally mostly minor age and storage related wear. The grip is excellent and retains virtually all of the original glossy varnish and has only some light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine and has moderate storage wear including heavily faded lining. The accessories are very fine and have light storage wear and most of their original finish.
Provenance: The Norm Vegely Collection.
Factory Engravers of the Nineteenth Century,” page 46). The two block, two line barrel
address lacks the pointing hand motif: “+COLT’S/PATENT+” and “ADDRESS SAML COLT/HARTFORD, CT USA+.”
The cylinder has the cabin and Indian scene. The capping groove cutout on the right recoil shield is 5/8 inches
as seen on Model 1A variants. The matching serial number is on the butt, cylinder, and barrel. The period
partitioned case contains a double sided eagle powder flask, an “L” shaped tool (one end has been filed down),
key, blued two cavity bullet mold marked “COLT’S/PATENT” on the sprue cutter, lead balls, and Eley Brothers cap tin.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 80% dull period refinished blue finish with cleaned pitting on the left side of the barrel lug. The engraving and cylinder scene are crisp. The grip is fine with minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine with minor handling/storage marks and typical high spot wear on the lining.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
115
Estimate: 11,000 - 16,000
LOT 3120
Cased Factory Engraved Early Production Colt Model 1855 “Root” Percussion Pocket Revolver - Serial
no. 204, 28 cal., 3 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue
finish, walnut grips. This Model 1A variant of Colt’s Model 1855 revolver series was manufactured in 1855. The
revolver is decorated in profuse, finely detailed relief cut factory floral scrollwork. Both sides of the frame feature a dog’s head amongst the scrolls. The engraving pattern is very similar to
coverage on a Model 1855 no. 17, which is attributed to Colt engraver Augustus Grunewald (see Herbert Houze’s “Colt