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This revolver features a brass cone front sight, the one-line New
York address, “COLTS/PATENT” on the left side of the frame, “31
CAL” on the left side of the trigger guard, stagecoach hold up scene on the cylinder, “PAT. SEP./15. 1869”
marked on the left of the breech plate, the script “E” on the upper right, matching serial numbers (wedge,
cylinder, arbor, barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap), blank loading lever, and assembly number
“39” on the rear of the cylinder and on the Thuer patent breech plate. “9” is double struck
on the trigger guard, a factory error.
CONDITION: Very good with strong traces of original blue and casehardened finish in the protected areas and otherwise
gray and brown patina on the steel, mild oxidation and pitting, aged patina on the brass grip straps, and mild overall wear. The grip is fine
and has much of the original piano varnish remaining, lower edge wear, mild scratches and dents, and hammering marks on the butt.
Mechanically excellent. This is definitely a Colt variation that your rarely get the chance to see let alone acquire!
Provenance: Douglas R. Carlson; The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 3211
Very Scarce Thuer Conversion Colt
Model 1849 Pocket Revolver - Serial no.
310389, 31 cal., 4 inch octagon bbl., blue/
casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips.
Less than a total of 5,000 Thuer conversions were executed by
Colt c. 1869-1872 across several models per “Metallic Cartridge
Conversions” by Adler. These Thuer conversions were the first Colt metallic cartridge
revolvers and are thus historically significant and highly desirable. The system allowed for the
revolvers to be switched back and forth from percussion to metallic cartridges. The Thuer system
only requires fitting a cartridge cylinder and a removable breech plate that includes a firing pin,
and a slight section on the right side of the frame is milled by the top of recoil shield cut-out.
The tapered metallic cased
centerfire Thuer cartridges
are loaded from the front of
the revolver just like
a paper cartridge.
LOT 3212
Scarce Colt .31 Center Fire Thuer Revolver Cartridges with
Colt London Agency Tin Box - Consisting of approximately 40
cartridges, the cartridges contained in a tin box with an orange
label identifying them as “ECONOMIC METALLIC CENTRAL FIRE
CARTRIDGES” for “COLT’S NEW/PATENT REVOLVER/POCKET
SIZE” as manufactured by Colt, addressed to the Colt Agency
at 14 Pall Mall in London. An early attempt by Colt to enter the
cartridge gun market while working around S&W’s control of
the Rollin White patent on bored-through cylinders, the Thuer
conversion used a slightly tapered chamber loaded from the
front with a rimless centerfire cartridge and an adapter ring at
the rear to carry an appropriate firing pin. The Thuer was phased
out when the White patent expired, limiting overall production
and making ammunition scarce on the market.
CONDITION: Fine overall, with mixed patina on the brass,
oxidization of the bullets, and hand markings on some
cartridges. The tin is fine, with some scuffs and
stains on the label.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
LOT 3210
Very Scarce and Desirable
Thuer Conversion Colt Model
1862 Police Revolver - Serial
no. 42464, 36 cal., 4 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. Less than 5,000 Thuer
conversions were executed by Colt c. 1869-1872 per “Metallic Cartridge Conversions” by
Adler split across the various models making each variation particularly scarce. The Police conversions are rarely ever seen. These
Thuer conversions were the first Colt metallic cartridge revolvers and are thus historically significant and highly desirable. The system allowed
for the revolvers to be switched back and forth from percussion to metallic cartridges. The Thuer system only requires fitting a cartridge
cylinder and a removable breech plate that includes a firing pin, and a slight section on the right side of the frame is milled by the top of recoil
shield cut-out. The tapered metallic cased centerfire Thuer cartridges are loaded from the front of the revolver just like a paper cartridge.
This revolver features a brass cone front sight, the one-line New York address, “COLTS/PATENT” on the left side of the frame, “36 CAL” on the left
side of the trigger guard, stagecoach hold up scene on the cylinder, “PAT. SEP./15. 1869” marked on the left of the breech plate, the script “E” on the
upper right, and matching visible serial numbers. The revolver is accompanied by a June 12, 1983, letter from Herb Glass discussing that he had recently sold it at the Ohio Gun
Collector’s Association meeting and noting it “is an excellent example of one of the more scarce Thuer conversions...The fine overall condition is indicative of light use and care. The gun bears all correct
markings and numbers; including the matching assembly numbers [“18”]on cylinder and ring.” Wedge is unnumbered.
CONDITION: Fine with 80% plus original blue on the barrel and conversion ring, strong original blue on the rebated breech section of the cylinder and a crisp roll-scene with the balance brown patina,
30% original case colors, 40% original silver on the grip straps, aged patina on the silver and brass, smooth gray-brown patina on the balance of the steel, relatively light overall wear, and some faint
spotting. The grip is very fine and retains most of the original high gloss piano varnish and has minor scratches and light edge wear. Mechanically excellent. Overall, this is a very scarce example of a Colt
Model 1862 Police with a Thuer conversion
Provenance: Herb Glass; Douglas R. Carlson; The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000