Lot 1221:Colt 1851 Revolver 36 percussion

November 30th, 2012|Rock Island, IL

Lot 1221:Colt 1851 Revolver 36 percussion

November 30th, 2012|Rock Island, IL

Estimated Price$50,000 - $75,000

Historic Presentation Cased, Gustave Young Factory Engraved, Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver with Civil War Philadelphia National Guard Officer's Inscription

Factory Engraved and Presentation Cased, Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver that was manufactured in 1861. This early, Fourth Model, Navy revolver features a large rounded trigger guard, recoil shield without capping cut-out channel and thin loading lever catch. The revolver has a high polish blue finish on the barrel and cylinder, color casehardened loading lever, frame and hammer and silver-plated, brass, trigger guard and backstrap. The one piece grip is highly figured, fancy grain, walnut with a high polish 'piano' finish. The barrel has a dovetail mounted front sight with nickel-silver blade. The hammer spur has bordered knurling. The revolver features deluxe Germanic Scroll engraving on a punch-dot background executed by master engraver Gustave Young. A hound's head partially concealed in the scroll-work is engraved on the left side of the barrel lug in front of the wedge slot. The sides of the hammer are engraved with Young's trademark wolf head motif. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the legend: "-ADDRESS SAML COLT HARTFORD CT." in a engraved panel with scalloped edges and a scrollwork flourish at the muzzle end. "COLT'S/PATENT" is hand-engraved in a scroll work panel on the left side of the frame. The inscription panel on the backstrap is engraved: "Lieut Jas B. Smith/Co D National Guards 2nd Regt Philada" in two lines with a Masonic emblem is engraved at the end of the inscription. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene, "Colt's Patent No.". The full serial number, "98260" is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, backstrap and the side of the cylinder. The partial serial number, "8260" is located on the top of the loading lever. All of the visible serial numbers match. The revolver is complete with a Colt mahogany case with dark blue velvet lining. The case has five compartments and is complete with accessories that include: (1) lacquered 100 cap tin of Eley Bros. percussion caps with green paper label, (2) several .36 caliber round balls and conical bullets (3) blued, iron, .36 caliber bullet mold for round balls and conical bullets marked: "COLT'S/PATENT" on the sprue cutter (4) blued, L-shaped combination nipple wrench/screw-driver and (5) 1851/1861 Navy powder flask with brass fixed charger and top and dark brown lacquer-finished body embossed crossed revolving rifles and revolvers above "COLTS/PATENT" and a stand of flags and arms.

ConditionExtremely fine. The revolver retains 70% plus of the original high polish blue and color case-hardened finish overall. The most noticable wear is some flaking on the right side of the barrel near the muzzle. Most of the blue finish is present on the cylinder. The roll-engraved naval scene is sharp. All of the cylinder pins are intact and the percussion nipples show only light flash pitting. The case colors on the loading lever, frame and hammer are vivid. The front of the hammer has some very minor flash pitting. The trigger guard retains 90% of the silver-plated finish with some very minor edge wear. The backstrap shows some handling wear and has 50% of the original plated finish intact. The precisely cut scrollwork on the barrel, loading lever, frame, trigger guard and backstrap is crisp and deep. The grip is in very fine condition and retains 70% of the high polish piano finish with some small areas of flaking. The action functions perfectly. The case exterior is in very good condition with some very minor nicks and scratches on the lid. The case interior is also in very good condition. The exceptional, original deep blue velvet lining is slightly faded and the only significant wear is discoloration from contact with the revolver cylinder and muzzle. The cap tin is in very fine condition; the green label is bright and the tin has nearly all the japanned finish. The bullet mold has some dents in the left block but has crisp markings on the sprue cutter and retains about 80% of the blue finish. The nipple wrench/screw-driver retains about 80% of the niter blue finish. The powder flask is in very good condition and has about half of the dark brown lacquer finish; the brass top and charger have an attractive, un-polished, patina. This is an outstanding example of a Civil War inscribed, factory cased, Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver factory engraved by Gustave Young.

Details

ManufacturerColt

Model1851

TypeRevolver

Serial number

ClassAntique

Caliber / Gauge36 percussion

Barrel7 1/2 In

Finishblue/case-hardened

Gripwalnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL