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LOT 3207
Scarce and Fine Two-Digit Serial
Number 17 Colt Model 1851 Navy Richards-Mason
Conversion Centerfire Revolver - Serial no. 17, 38 CF cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/
casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. Approximately 3,800 of these were manufactured at the Colt
factory in the mid-1870s for use with metallic cartridges, utilizing previously unassembled and unfinished Model
1851 Navy parts, per page 98 of “Flayderman’s Guide, 9th Edition”. These “standard” models are seen in the 1-3800 serial
range, with this example being serial number 17. The barrel is marked with the one-line New York address and has had the loading lever
removed, with a factory added ejector rod with housing to the right. The cylinder has the Texas Navy battle scene, with a conversion breech
plate, loading gate and centerfire hammer. “COLTS/PATENT” marked on the left of the frame. Matching visible two-digit serial number “17” marked on the barrel,
frame, trigger guard, butt, and cylinder, with assembly number “27” marked on the loading gate.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 30% original blue finish, 75% plus vivid case colors, 80% silver plating with a mix of aged and bright patina on the trigger guard and grip
straps, patches of light oxidation, smooth brown and gray patina on the balance of the iron, with sharp markings and cylinder scene. Grip is very fine, retains most
of the glossy varnish finish, with handling marks, tight fitment, and well-defined edges. Mechanically excellent. A fine example of a scarce, two-digit serial number
“17”, Colt Model 1851 Navy Richards-Mason conversion revolver!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 3208
Colt London Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 41635, 36 cal., 7
1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. Manufactured at Colt’s London factory in 1856. Demand for
Colt’s Model 1851 Navy revolver was high with English officers following the Great Exhibition in London in 1851 and continued
into the Crimean War. The British Board of Ordnance contracted with Colt for 25,540 Model 1851 Navy revolvers mainly for the Royal Navy, and
Colt also sold an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 revolvers to officers, per page 9 of “Samuel Colt: Arms, Art and Invention” by Herbert Houze. Despite this initial
demand, the Adams revolvers and others of English design would force Colt to close his London factory, and the company instead shipped revolvers from Hartford to a sales office in
London. Features the large oval steel trigger guard, steel back strap, wide cylinder nipple cut-outs, bordered knurling on the hammer spur, and round head frame and trigger guard screws
that are typical of Colt London Navy revolvers. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped “-ADDRESS COL. COLT LONDON-” and London “Crown/GP” and “Crown/V” proof and inspection marks are
stamped on the left side of the barrel lug and alternating between each nipple on the cylinder. Matching visible serial numbers marked on the loading lever, barrel, cylinder, frame, trigger guard, and butt.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 20% original blue finish and case colors, with smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, light oxidation, and a distinct cylinder scene. Grip is very fine, with most of the
original glossy varnish finish, handling marks, and well-defined edges. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 3206
Rare Well-Documented Two-Digit Serial Number 93
Factory Engraved Colt London Model 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolver, Featured
in “The Colt Engraving Book, Volume One” - Serial no. 93, 31 cal., 5 inch octagon bbl., blue/
casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. This beautiful factory engraved Colt Model 1849 Pocket revolver dates
to 1853, the first year of production in Colt’s London serial number range. While the Model 1849 Pocket was the
most popular of all of Colt’s revolvers in the United States in the 19th century, this model was produced and sold in
more limited numbers from Colt’s London factory; only around 11,000 were manufactured in London compared to approximately 42,000 of
the London Navy revolvers. The London Model 1849 Pockets are thus considerably rarer than the Hartford manufactured
Pocket revolvers. These London Model 1849s are serialized in their own range (1-11000) and were manufactured from
1853 to 1857. The parts of the first 300 pistols were reportedly fabricated in Hartford with the parts unnumbered and
unstamped and then assembled at the London factory. Offered here is serial number 93 of the London Model 1849
series of revolvers. Like this example, a number of the earliest Colt London Model 1849s were factory engraved by Colt’s
English engravers. The hand engraved “SAML COLT. LONDON.” barrel marking of this exact
revolver is pictured at the bottom of page 239 in “The Colt Engraving Book, Volume
One” by R.L. Wilson, with its caption on page 238. Other factory engraved London
examples with serial numbers 2, 7, 52 and 95 are also identified next to it in the book.
The revolver features engraving patterns consisting of foliate and floral scrollwork, with
a clamshell motif on top of the back strap, the noted hand engraved barrel marking, and
hand engraved “COLTS PATENT” in a ribbon on the left of the frame. The cylinder has the
classic stagecoach hold-up scene and patent marking. London proofs on the barrel and
cylinder. Matching visible serial numbers on the loading lever, barrel, frame, trigger guard,
back strap, cylinder, and cylinder arbor pin, with an unnumbered wedge. Fitted with a smooth one-piece fancy grade walnut grip.
CONDITION: Good, retains traces of original blue finish in a few protected areas with smooth gray patina on the balance, 20% original silver plating around the trigger guard with even golden patina
on the brass, some light pitting, and defined engraving. Grip is very fine, with minor handling marks, and well-defined edges. Mechanically functions. This is a rare Colt London ‘49 Pocket with beautiful
factory engraving from one of Colt’s English engravers!
Provenance: The John B. McCall Collection; The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
As pictured &
described in The Colt
Engraving Book,
Vol. I by Wilson
Serial
Number
93
Serial
Number
17