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LOT 3100
Unique Unserialized Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver - NSN, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/in the white finish, walnut grips. This is a very interesting and unique Colt
Model 1851 Navy. Most of the components on this revolver have no serial numbers aside from “6514” or “0514” on the wedge and “5599” in the back strap mortise of the grip. The “No Serial Number”‘51 Navy revolvers
are discussed in Swayze’s “’51 Colt Navies” on page 217 where the author notes: “Although a few of these guns are known to exist,
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mostly gray and brown patina and some patches of mild pitting on the steel, aged
patina on the brass, and mild overall wear. The second cylinder has been aged and has mottled gray and brown patina,
moderate oxidation, and mild overall wear. The grip is very fine and has some light edge wear, minor dings and scratches, and glossy varnish finish. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3101 Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 33341, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1853. Features a brass cone front sight, “-ADDRESS SAMl COLT NEW-YORK CITY-” on the top of the barrel, the standard naval battle scene and patent markings on the cylinder, and “COLTS/PATENT” marked on the left of the frame. Matching full and partial serial number marked on the loading lever, barrel lug, cylinder, arbor pin, frame, trigger guard, and butt. The period replacement wedge is marked with number “2178”. Blue finished barrel, casehardened frame, cylinder and hammer, and silver trigger guard and backstrap. CONDITION: Fine, the barrel retains 40% plus of its original bright blue finish with scattered light flaking, the cylinder and frame exhibit a smooth gray patina with traces of original case colors visible in protected areas, and 95% original bright silver finish remains on the trigger guard and straps with a slightly age darkened patina on the butt. Defined cylinder scene and markings with the front edge bevel slightly modified during the period of usage. Grip is very good with scattered scratches and crazing, some minor chipping on the lower edge of the right panel and otherwise defined edges. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3102
Desirable “Wells Fargo Model” Colt Model 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 113390, 31 cal., 3 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1856. This is a scarce Model 1849 Pocket Model variation with a three inch barrel without provisions for a loading lever, a solid lug without loading slots, and otherwise standard Model 1849 markings and features including matching visible serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, butt, arbor pin and cylinder. Unnumbered replacement wedge. CONDITION: Good, exhibits gray and brown patina overall with some light wear and some scattered areas of light pitting. Grip is also good as sanded and revarnished with scattered dings and some wear at the bottom edges. Mechanically functions, although cylinder does not always rotate properly. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
the reason for the lack of serial numbers is - to the Author’s knowledge- unknown.” One possible theory is that this revolver and others were made up near the end of production from remaining parts on hand. Some of the parts are in the white,
unfinished, and an “&” is marked on the right side of the trigger guard, a mark believed to relate to factory reworked guns. The barrel has a post front sight and the one-line New York address. The frame has no markings. The cylinder has the standard roll scene and patent marking. A spare reproduction cylinder numbered “20928” and marked “B528” on the rear is also included (no nipples). CONDITION: Fine with strong niter blue finish on the trigger and some of the screws,
LOT 3103
Cased Colt “Root” Model 1855 Sidehammer Pocket Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 13078, 28 cal.,
3 1/2 inch octagon bbl.,
blue/casehardened finish,
walnut grips. The Colt
Model 1855 Sidehammer
Pocket Revolver was the
only handgun designed by
Samuel Colt using a solid
frame and was nicknamed
after his foreman and
superintendent Elisha K.
Root. They are certainly
among the finest pocket
handguns of the era. This
“Model 2” variant was manufactured in 1856 with an octagon barrel with cone front sight and the pointing hand motif ahead of the Colt Hartford address, cylinder with the Cabin and Indian scene, varnished one-piece grip, and matching serial numbers on the bottom of the barrel, butt and cylinder. The wood case contains an eagle powder flask, “COLT’S/PATENT” double cavity bullet mold, Eley cap tin and cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% plus original blue finish with smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, a few small patches of light pitting, and sharp markings and edges in the metal. Grip is also
fine with much of the original varnish, scattered light dings and scratches, and some crazing around the edges. Mechanically fine. Included case and accessories are very good with a few cracks on top of the lid and some aging of the lining.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 3104
Cased Civil War Era Colt Model 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolver - Serial
no. 190545, 31 cal.,
4 inch octagon bbl.,
blue/casehardened/
silver finish, walnut
grips. Manufactured
in 1861. The barrel
has the one-line
New York address.
“COLTS/PATENT”
is stamped on the
left side of the
frame. The cylinder
has the stagecoach
hold up scene. Matching full or partial serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, loading lever, arbor pin, and wedge. The period partitioned case contains lead rounds, two extra percussion nipples, and a percussion cap tin. The Model 1849 Pocket was the most popular of all of Colt’s percussion revolvers. They would certainly have been more convenient for those needing some personal protection in the gold fields and saloons of the West as well as the crowded and crime riddled streets of the large cities in the East compared to the larger Colt Dragoon revolvers or mid-sized Model 1851 Navy and definitely packed more firepower than many of the single and double shot pocket pistols of the day. During the Civil War, many were carried as personal sidearms
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel retains 80% bright original high polish blue finish with thinning to brown
on the balance. The refinished cylinder has a smooth brown appearance and retains most of the scene. 40% original case colors remain on the hammer and frame. Traces of original case colors remain on the loading lever. 60% original silver plating remains on the brass grip straps. The grip is also fine with high edge wear, an absent sliver at the top (right side), some minor handling marks and most of the original varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good with a couple stabilized cracks on the lid, chip near a hinge, minor handling/storage marks and worn lining.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000