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Lot 1266:Colt 1861 Navy Revolver 36 percussion

November 30th, 2012|Rock Island, IL

Lot 1266:Colt 1861 Navy Revolver 36 percussion

November 30th, 2012|Rock Island, IL

Price Realized:

Estimated Price$35,000 - $50,000

Rare Documented Historic Inscribed Serial Number 3 Colt Model 1861 Navy Revolver with Fluted Cylinder

This is an extremely rare example of one of the very first Colt Model 1861 Navy fluted cylinder revolvers with serial number 3. Only about 100 Model 1861 Navy revolvers were manufactured with fluted cylinders ( No. 11 and No. 30 are pictured on pages 167 and 168 of The Book of Colt Firearms by R.L. Wilson). The back strap of this revolver is inscribed "E.A. WALLAZZ" and the butt is inscribed "Ringgold/104 P.V.". Extensive copies of service records that accompany the revolver indicate that Edward A. Wallazz enlisted in Company A, 104th Pennsylvania, Volunteer Infantry for three years on September 6, 1861 at Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Wallazz was promoted to Sergeant Major on October 11, 1861 and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and Regimental Adjutant in 1862. Lieutenant Wallazz mustered out of the service in September 1864. The 104th Pennsylvania Infantry fought in the Seven Days Battles in May and June 1862. From January 1863 until September 1864 the regiment was assigned to 18th Army Corps Department of North Carolina and participated on the Carolina coast. The 104th Pennsylvania Infantry lost 2 officers and 68 enlisted men (killed in action) and 115 men from disease between 1861 and 1865. The top of the barrel is marked with the one-line legend "- ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-". "COLTS/PATENT" is stamped on the left side of the frame and "PATENT SEPT10th 1860" is stamped in one cylinder flute. An "L" Colt inspection mark is stamped on the left shoulder of the trigger guard, "C" and * are stamped on the front face of the cylinder and "M" is stamped on the rear face. The number "2" is stamped on the underside of the barrel just in front of the loading lever cut-out. The serial number, "3", is stamped on the underside of the wedge, the bottom of the barrel lug, on the cylinder arbor pin, frame, trigger guard, back strap and on the rear face of the cylinder. The barrel and cylinder were blue, casehardened frame and hammer, with silver plated brass back strap and trigger guard. Blade front and hammer notch rear sights, and fitted with a smooth one-piece varnished walnut grip.

ConditionFine. The barrel and cylinder retain 30% original blue finish in protected areas with a smooth silver-gray patina on the balance. The loading lever, frame and hammer have a silver-gray patina with traces of the original case colors in protected areas. The trigger guard and back strap retain 40% of the original silver plating. The inscriptions on the back strap and butt are crisp. There is some minor flash pitting on the sides of the hammer and cylinder faces. The grip is fine with 90% of the original varnish remaining with a small chip in the right toe, some wear on the lower edges and overall some minor handling marks. The markings remain sharp. The action is tight and functions perfectly. This is a fine example of a rarely encountered variation of the Model 1861 Navy Revolver with original Civil War inscriptions that identifies it as the weapon carried by a Pennsylvania Officer for most of the Civil War. This is a rare and historic fluted cylinder Colt Model 1861 Navy revolver.

Details

ManufacturerColt

Model1861 Navy

TypeRevolver

Serial number

ClassAntique

Caliber / Gauge36 percussion

Barrel7 1/2 inch round

Finishblue/casehardened/silver

Gripwalnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL