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  • Auction Catalog #1039
  • Lot #4096
Lot #4095
Lot #4097

Lot 4096: Cased Set of Two Factory Engraved Colt Percussion Revolvers

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: February 18, 2022

Lot 4096: Cased Set of Two Factory Engraved Colt Percussion Revolvers

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: February 18, 2022

Estimated Price: $4,500 - $7,000
Price Realized:
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A) Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver Inscribed to Captain R.V.W. Thorne from Alfred Becar

Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1851 Navy
Type: Revolver
Gauge: 36
Barrel: 7 1/2 inch octagon
Finish: blue/casehardened/silver
Grip: antique ivory
Stock:
Item Views: 2988
Item Interest: Very Active
Serial Number:
Class: Antique
Bore Condition: Slight Darkening - Light to moderate pitting
Rating:

OE - GOOD - some minor replacement parts; metal smoothly rusted or lightly pitted in places, cleaned; principal lettering, numerals and design on metal legible; lightly scratched, bruised or minor cracks repaired; in good working order.

Description:

Both of these revolvers are engraved in the classic German-American style used by multiple engravers from Germany working for Colt in the 1850s and 1860s. The '51 Navy was manufactured in 1859, and the '49 Pocket was manufactured in 1856. They come in a fitted case with molds, flasks, a cap tin, and some lead balls and bullets. The '51 Navy is inscribed: "To Capt. R.V.W. Thorne/from Alfred Becar" on the back strap. A research file is included on Richard Van Wyck Thorne Jr. (1821-1875) he attended West Point Military Academy but did not graduate. He and his family were figures within the Brooklyn Bank, and he joined the Brooklyn City Guard and was captain of G Company of the 13th New York Regiment during the Civil War. Additional research has found that Alfred Becar was a fellow Brooklyn businessman. In 1859, he married Mary Bull Johnson, daughter of Samuel Evan Johnson and niece of Maria Johnson Thorne Captain Thorne's first wife who died in 1850.

B) Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver

Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1849
Type: Revolver
Gauge: 31
Barrel: 5 inch octagon
Finish: blue/casehardened/silver
Grip: antique ivory
Stock:
Item Views: 2988
Serial Number:
Class: Antique
Bore Condition: Slight Darkening - Light to moderate pitting
Rating:

OE - GOOD - some minor replacement parts; metal smoothly rusted or lightly pitted in places, cleaned; principal lettering, numerals and design on metal legible; lightly scratched, bruised or minor cracks repaired; in good working order.

NPRF - NON-PROFESSIONALLY REFINISHED/COLD BLUE, ETC.

Description:

See "A."

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