Page 130 - 4096-FLIPBOOK3

LOT 3189
Scarce London Proofed and Cased
Colt Model 1862 Police Percussion
Revolver - Serial no. 34449, 36 cal., 4 1/2
inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
walnut grips. The Colt Model 1862 Police,
known in the period as “Colt’s Police Pistol” and “Colt’s New Model
Revolving Police Pistol,” is one of the most attractive and most advanced
of all of the Colt percussion revolvers. It was the last model released
while Samuel Colt was alive and would have been an excellent choice
for law enforcement officers both in the U.S. and “across the pond” in
the U.K. This incredible revolver was manufactured in 1866 and has
London proof and view marks on the barrel and cylinder. It also features an “L” marking by
the serial number on the barrel and blued iron back strap. Iron back straps and trigger guards
are noted on Colts with London proofs and barrel addresses in the 37000 range in John D.
Breslin’s “Colt’s Small Frame .36 Caliber Percussion Pistols and ‘The Conventional Wisdom’”
article from 2002. The barrel on this earlier example has the one-line New York address. The
left side of the frame has “COLTS/PATENT”, and the left side of the trigger guard is marked
“36 CAL”. Matching serial numbers are visible on the barrel (factory double struck “3”), frame,
trigger guard, and back strap, and the rear of the cylinder has the matching partial serial
number. The English style oak case has green baize lining, a London agency directions label
inside the lid, blued L-shaped combination tool, a blued “COLTS/PATENT” and “36 P” marked
bullet mold, oiler, Dixon flask, and a W. & C. Eley cap tin.
CONDITION: Fine with 60% plus original blue finish and 75% case colors remaining, particularly vibrant colors on the left side
of the frame, generally minor overall wear, some light pitting, smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, and one screw
absent from the trigger guard. The grip is also fine and has scattered minor dings and scratches, light edge wear, and the vast
majority of the original varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are very good with generally mild
age and storage wear along with a broken flask spring and dents on the mold.
Provenance: The Jim Eplen Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 3190
Very Scarce Colt Eley Percussion Caps Shipping
Tube and Package of .42 Caliber Berdan
Cartridges - Manufactured c. the mid to late
19th century, the items in this lot represent two
rarely seen Colt-related accoutrements. The first
is an Eley Bros. shipping tube for cap tins, which
once contained eight 250-count cap tins. The end
label is marked as for 2,000 metal-lined caps for
Colt’s patent belt and pocket pistols. The other item
is a factory sealed package of six .42 Berdan Russian
cartridges for use in the Colt manufactured Russian
contract M1868 and M1870 Berdan rifles. The paper
package appears to contain the full compliment of
six cartridges.
CONDITION: Both are fine, the Eley Bros. tube
appearing to have been resealed when the cap
tins were removed with most of the end label
remaining, while the Berdan cartridge package
remains sealed and tied with string. Both show
mild wear typical of their age.
Provenance: The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection.
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
LOT 3191
Thomas Palmerton Signed Rampant Colt
Bronze Statue - Whether it came from the
Colt family coat of arms or from the tale
of Alexander the Great’s horse,
Bucephalus, the image of the
rearing rampant colt with two pieces
of a broken lance in his front legs and
mouth has become synonymous with Colt
firearms. This high quality bronze by Thomas
Palmerton pays homage to
that legendary logo in a
life-like form, standing
atop the famous
Colt dome with the
signature “tpalmerton”
on the back side of the done.
The bronze is mounted on a
wooden plinth with a rotating
base. Measures approximately
16 inches at the widest point and
17 1/2 inches tall from the bottom
of the base to the top of the horse head. Includes a detached
brass plaque marked “BEST OF SHOW/COLT COLLECTORS
ASSOCIATION/DALLAS TEXAS 1990/PRESENTED TO JIM
AND CARRIE EPLEN”.
CONDITION: Excellent, with limited
minor wear and attractive
darkened bronze coloration.
Provenance: The Jim Eplen
Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
128