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LOT 3131
Scarce Twelve Stop Richards Conversion Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver - Serial no. 1518, 44 CF cal., 8 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. Total production of Model 1860 Army Richards conversion revolvers is estimated at approximately 9,000 in 1871-1878, and only a small number of the early production revolvers utilized 12-slot cylinders because the additional stops over the chambers proved to leave the walls too thin as can be seen on this example. The extra stops allow the revolver to be carried hammer down with the firing pin between two chambers. The revolver has matching serial numbers on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, and cylinder with “220” on the breech plate and loading gate. The revolver has a German silver blade front sight, the New York barrel address, an ejector fitted to the right side of the barrel, a notch rear sight on the recoil shield, “COLTS/PATENT” on the left side of the frame, and “44 CAL” on the rear of the trigger guard on the left. It is accompanied by some correspondence between collectors discussing the revolver, including a letter from Fred Sweeney noting that McDowell’s Colt conversion book stated that only approximately two dozen of these revolvers are known today, and “I believe you would be hard pressed to ever fine a finer, more original specimen of this variation.” He also notes that additional “220” assembly numbers can be found on “several internal parts except the barrel has #210.” CONDITION: Very good with half of the original blue visible in the stepped section of the cylinder, a few break throughs on the cylinder slots, strong patches of original blue on the barrel lug and top of the back strap, 20% original case colors, aged patina on the trigger guard, a mix of gray and brown patina on the balance, and distinct markings and cylinder scene. The grip is also fine and has moderate lower edge wear, mild scratches and dings, and much of the original varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3132
London Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 33103, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This revolver was manufactured in 1855 at Colt’s short lived London factory. This one interestingly has the London proof and view marks on the cylinder but not the barrel. The barrel has a brass cone front sight and is marked “-ADDRESS. COL. COLT. LONDON.-” on top. The cylinder has the standard Naval Battle of Campeche roll-scene. The frame has the “COLTS/PATENT” marking. The revolver also features the round headed screws and iron grip frame typical of the London Navy revolvers. The visible serial numbers all match. The last digit on the loading lever appears to have been also stamped “9.” a small “N.W.M.P.” (North-West Mounted Police) plaque is included. The consignor suggested this revolver was from a cased pair with 33109 and noted that the latter is only three numbers away from an Upper Canada Militia revolver. CONDITION: Very good with traces of original finish and otherwise mostly dark brown patina overall, mostly distinct markings, and mild overall wear. The grip is fine and has some dings and scratches, hammering marks on the butt, and light edge wear. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3133
Colt Round Barrel Police/Pocket Navy Cartridge Conversion Revolver with Ejector - Serial no. 10437, 38 CF cal., 6 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. Manufactured circa 1873-1875. Features matching visible serial numbers and grip (wedge and pin not confirmed), “1096” on the loading gate, and “two patent July 1871/1872” frame markings and features. CONDITION: Very fine with 95% retailer nickel-plated finish, some minor spots of slight oxidation/pitting, a few patches of brown patina, and some texture visible in the plating on the grip straps. The grip is very fine with mild lower edge wear. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3134
Fine Colt Model 1860 Army Richards Cartridge Conversion Revolver - Serial no. 3397, 44 Colt CF cal., 8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. Colt’s early cartridge “conversion” revolvers were primarily manufactured using a combination of remaining percussion revolver components and newly manufactured components and were mainly manufactured during the same period as the early Colt Single Action Army revolvers. The distinctive Richards “conversions” designed by Charles Brinckerhoff Richards (1835-1919), who was also one of the co-designers of the SAA, feature a breech plate with integral notch rear sight and a floating firing pin rather than a hammer mounted firing pin. The loading lever was replaced with an ejector rod. Approximately 9,000 ‘60 Army revolvers were built primarily in 1872-1878 using this system which was patented on July 25, 1871. Civilian sales of Single Action Army revolvers were limited early in production, and these Richards revolvers were thus among the first cartridge Colts available to western pioneers and gunfighters. This example has a German silver blade front sight, “-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-” on top of the barrel, “COLTS/PATENT” on the left side of the frame, “44 CAL” on the left side of the trigger guard, matching visible serial numbers, and “2324” on the loading gate. CONDITION: Fine with 40% original blue finish remaining, particularly strong and bright original blue finish in most of the protected areas, 30% plus original case colors, traces of age darkened silver plating on the trigger guard, attractive aged patina on the balance of the trigger guard, and smooth gray and brown patina on the balance of the steel. The cylinder scene and other markings are distinct. The grip is fine and has moderate lower edge wear, numerous scattered dings, and scratches and still retains the majority of the original varnish. Mechanically excellent. This is a very attractive Colt Richard’s Conversion Model 1860 Army Revolver with both a lot of original finish and attractive “frontier” character. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 3135
Colt Model 1855 Sidehammer “Root” Percussion Pocket Revolver - Serial no. 4564, 31 cal., 4 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This Model 5A version of the Model 1885 was manufactured in 1862 and has the two- line New York barrel address, a fluted cylinder with patent marking on one of the flutes, and “31 CAL” marked on the right side of the frame. Given their sleek design which departs heavily from the usual Colt percussion revolvers along with their limited production and several production variations, these revolvers have long been popular with collectors. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 40% plus original blue finish with a smooth brown-gray patina on the balance and evidence of cleaning on the barrel at the breech. The grip is also fine with minor handling marks and most of the original varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent. A Civil War era Colt handgun with a lot of appeal. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3136
Colt Round Barrel Pocket Navy Conversion Revolver with Ejector - Serial no. 4722, 38 CF cal., 4 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. Reportedly 2,000 of these revolvers were manufactured c. 1873- 1875. It features a post front sight, the two-line Hartford barrel address, ejector fitted on the right side of the barrel, filled provisions for a loading lever, the 1871 and 1872 patent marking on the frame, stagecoach scene on the cylinder, “36 CAL” on the left side of the trigger guard, a loading gate on the conversion breech plate, centerfire hammer, and matching visible serial numbers. CONDITION: Fine with 85% of the period retailer applied nickel finish, some of the base nickel plating showing through where the finish has flaked, mostly distinct markings, and minor overall wear. The grip is very fine and has most of the glossy varnish finish, some attractive grain, minor edge wear, and chips at the toe. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
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