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LOT 1198
Well-Documented Deluxe Cased Gustave Young Presentation Factory Engraved
Colt Model 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolver with Double Gold Plaqued Ivory Grip
Present Inscribed to Chief of Police Samuel G. Ruggles of Philadelphia, Featured
in “The Colt Engraving Book, Volume I” - Serial no. 111710, 31 cal., 6 inch octagon bbl.,
blue/casehardened/silver finish, ivory grips. This extraordinary revolver was manufactured
in 1856 while Gustave Young was the primary engraving contractor for Colt and features his
distinctive German-American engraving patterns consisting of extensive foliate scrollwork
with floral and shell accents and beaded background as well as an animal mask above the
loading lever screw on the left side of the barrel lug, the wolf’s head motif on the hammer,
the “Saml Colt” presentation inscription in place of the usual barrel address, and “COLTS/
PATENT” hand inscribed among the engraving on the left side of the frame. The factory
“dot” marking denoting special finish and/or engraving is marked above or below the
matching serial numbers on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap, and additional
matching serial numbers are visible on the cylinder and loading lever. There is a “2” on
the left side of the barrel lug at the bottom, the classic stagecoach hold-up scene on the
cylinder, and an “S” on the left side of the trigger guard. The ivory grip is fitted with a pair of
gold oval plaques. The left is inscribed “Presented by the/6th Ward Police”, and the right is
inscribed “to/Samuel G. Ruggles”. The special rosewood presentation case features a silver
badge shaped plaque with a brass star inscribed “Presented/BY THE POLICE/of the/6TH
WARD/to/Samuel G. Ruggles/late Lieutenant/Now” and then “CHIEF OF POLICE” boldly
inscribed on the lower part of the badge. The case has a wine colored interior closely fit
to the revolver and the included L-shaped combination tool, early brass “COLTS/PATENT”
bullet mold without a sprue cutter, “COLTS/PATENT” eagle pattern pocket flask, an Eley Bros.
cap tin, and James Dixon & Sons oiler, and the upper right has a lidded compartment with
some balls and the key. Greg Lampe noted that the flask and combination tool with the
set at that time were not original and were substituted by him with exceptional originals
appropriate for the set.
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