This spectacular revolver was manufactured in 1855 and is illustrated on page 124 of "The Colt Engraving Book Volume 1" by R.L. Wilson where it is described as "Young shop engraved, with rare short trigger, and blued gripstrap." Wilson further notes that only a scarce few examples are known with engraved steel grip straps. Out of at least 30,000 large iron trigger guard Model 1851 Navy revolvers, only an estimated 175 are estimated to have been cased and only 250 are estimated to be engraved. At that time, the revolver is noted from the Michael Simens Collection and was shown in a different case. The revolver features classic factory Germanic scroll engraving with beaded backgrounds, floral bloom and rayed accents, a dog head on the left by the loading lever screw, "COLTS/PATENT" hand engraved on the left side of the frame, the classic wolf head motif on the hammer, and five-dots on the hammer spur which are often said to relate to the level of the engraving and/or the number of days spent executing the engraving. The barrel has a brass cone front sight and the one-line "-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-" marking on top, and "2" on the lower left. The cylinder has the classic Naval Battle of Campeche roll-scene. Matching serial numbers are found throughout. The barrel and cylinder feature high polish blue finish while the iron grip straps are silver plated and the loading lever, frame, and hammer are casehardened. The piano varnished walnut grip has attractive figure. The revolver comes in a fitted rosewood case with dark wine colored lining, a contrasting wood keyhole escutcheon, and lid escutcheon inscribed "Wm. H. Leach/Boston" in script. The case contains an Eley Bros. cap tin, bullets and balls, key, lacquered Colt Navy flask with sloped charger, a cartridge pack, a blued L-shaped combination tool, and a blued ball/bullet mold with "COLT'S/PATENT" marked on the sprue cutter and "36 B." on the right arm. Rock Island Auction Company sold the consecutive revolver back in 2011. It featured similar engraving, including a different dog head at the same location and the same five dots on the hammer spur. The revolver is accompanied by a research binder compiled by Greg Lampe. He noted that a William Henry Leach was born in Pennsylvania in 1831 but moved to Boston by 1850, lived with his parents, and died in November 1872 at the age of 41. His father, Henry/Harry Leach, is noted as a trader selling various goods at 1 Mercantile wharf with a home at 2 Indiana. In 1859, William Leach joined the St. Johns Masonic Lodge, then one of the oldest and largest in the country. He worked in the U.S. Customs House in Boston c. 1855-1867 and later worked with his father. By 1870, he was running Leach & Co., a pawn and jewelry store at 13 Brattle Square in the business district. Shortly before his death, he married Mary Kate Egan who had been working in his store as a sales clerk. When he died, Leach's estate included five guns, two revolvers, and three pistols. The revolvers were valued at $10 and $7. The will also listed various watches, gem stones, and other finery. Lampe theorizes that Leach lived with his parents due to frail health and further theorized that his father purchased him a cased set as a gift. Provenance: The Michael Simens Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection

Exceptionally fine. The barrel retains 85% plus original high polish blue finish while the cylinder retains 50% plus of original blue finish along with a distinct roll-scene and all but one of the safety pins in solid shape. The vast majority of the original case colors remain, especially on the frame and hammer, and the trigger guard and back strap retain patches of original silver. The balance displays gray and brown patina, and the minimal overall wear is consistent with age and handling rather than use. The grip is also exceptionally fine and has some slight edge wear, minor dings and scratches, and nearly all of the original piano varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine with a few minor cracks primarily in the lid and some contact wear mainly from the cylinder on the lining. The accessories are very fine with strong original finish and minor storage wear including a few small dents in the flask. The inscription is crisp. This is an extremely high condition example of a factory engraved Colt Model 1851 Navy from the beginning Gustave Young's time as Colt's primary engraving contractor.