Lot 211:Cased Pair of Engraved Colt London Model 1851 Navy Revolvers

December 8th, 2023|Bedford, TX

Lot 211:Cased Pair of Engraved Colt London Model 1851 Navy Revolvers

December 8th, 2023|Bedford, TX

Estimated Price$65,000 - $95,000

A) Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver

This beautiful matching cased set dates to 1855 in the London range and has the dot at the main serial number locations used to designate revolvers that were factory engraved. R.L. Wilson estimated less than 1,000 London Navies were engraved, and few of those would have been cased pairs. We have only offered two other cased pairs in the past. The pair is 40 serial numbers apart but were clearly embellished as a true pair. Pairs of Colt percussion revolvers were generally not consecutive. They feature the distinctive London scroll engraving on the barrels at the muzzles and breech sections, the bottom and flats of the loading lever arms, edges of the wedges, frames, trigger guards, and back straps. The recoil shields have scroll engraving while some London Colts have floral patterns at this location. The hammers have scroll designs on the sides and a fish-scale design along the tops. The distinctive London factory engraved "Colt. Patent." markings in Gothic script in banners are on the left side of the frames. The barrels have brass cone front sights and "-ADDRESS. COL. COLT. LONDON-." The barrels and cylinders have the proper London Gunmakers Company proof and view marks. The cylinders feature the classic Naval Battle of Campeche roll-scene. The barrels and cylinders are blued. The loading levers, frames, and hammers are casehardened. The iron grip frames are silver plated. The screws are the rounded head style found on the London Colts. The grips are nicely figured walnut with a varnish finish. They come in a shared English style case with brass furniture, including a flat folding handle and blank central circular escutcheon. The case has a loading and cleaning directions label inside the lid, two large Eley Bros. cap tins marked "Made expressly for/COLT'S PT./Belt & Pocket Pistols" on the green labels, a James Dixon & Sons oiler, bag shaped James Dixon & Sons powder flask, pair of blued Colt dual cavity bullet molds, pair of blued L-shaped combination tools, a cleaning rod, lidded compartment with balls, six spare nipples in another lidded compartment, and a spare mainspring in the remaining compartment.

ConditionVery fine. The engraving remains crisp throughout. 90% of the original bright blue finish remains on the barrel with loss mainly from flaking on the left at the breech. The cylinder retains 75% original blue finish with some patchy flaking, solid safety pins, and minor wear. The loading lever, frame, and hammer retain the majority of the lightly age faded original case colors and have smooth gray patina where the finish has faded. There is a patch of pitting on the loading lever plunger. The trigger guard and back strap retain 80% of the original silver plating with some loss mainly on the back of the back strap. The grip is also very fine and has the majority of the original varnish finish, attractive figure, some light scratches and dings, and mild edge wear. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good with mild age and storage related wear including scratches and dings, warping at the front of the lid, some tears and holes on the label, and some aging of the lining. One of the molds has a matte blue finish, and the other has a bright blue finish; both retain over 80% of the blue. The flask and oiler are excellent with very minimal age and storage related wear. The combination tools are fine, with one retaining 85% plus of the blue finish and the other over 70%. The cap tins are very good with mild wear.

Details

ManufacturerColt

Model1851 Navy

TypeRevolver

Serial number

ClassAntique

Caliber / Gauge36

Barrel7 1/2 inch octagon

Finishblue/casehardened/silver

Gripdeluxe factory walnut

Item LocationBedford, TX

Catalog page185

B) Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver

As described in "A." Provenance: The Norm Vegely Collection

ConditionVery fine. The engraving patterns throughout remain crisp. The barrel retains 75% plus of the bright original blue finish and has patches of flaking with smooth gray and brown patina. 70% of the bright original blue finish remains on the cylinder with flaking and mainly a smooth gray patina on the balance. The loading lever, trigger guard, and hammer retain 80% of the original case colors with particularly vibrant original case colors on the right side of the frame. 20% of the original silver plating remains on the grip frame with the balance a smooth gray patina. The grip is also very fine and has attractive figure, nearly all of the original varnish, some light scratches, minor edge wear, and a few small dings. Mechanically excellent. This is a stunning and very scarce cased pair of Colt London Model 1851 Navy revolvers. The engraved London Colts were Samuel Colt's attempt to establish himself within in the English firearms market and were likely particularly aimed at wealthy gentlemen and military officers.