Manufactured circa 1859. The revolver is of the most deluxe factory engraving by the master Gustave Young and is fitted with a special Colt Buhl presentation case. The brass bound case is rosewood with antique ivory, silver, brass and pearl inlays. Samuel Colt ordered a small number of these elaborate cases in Austria in 1849 and used them for very special presentation revolvers. Colt revolvers with Buhl style cases were presented by Col. Colt to Edward Prince of Wales and his father Prince Albert, Queen Victoria and perhaps most important his patent attorney Edward Dickerson (see page 34 of THE BOOK OF COLT ENGRAVING by R.L. Wilson). The case is lined with purple velvet and has five compartments including one compartment with a lid and pearl handle. The case contains: (1) British style cleaning rod with steel handle, (2) key, (3) brass double cavity bullet mold marked "COLTS/PATENT" on the iron sprue cutter, (4) L-shaped screw-driver, (5) large 500 count tin of Eley percussion caps with green paper label and (6) pocket pistol powder flask embossed with Eagle and Shield and "E.PLURIBUS UNUM" in a ribbon on both sides of the flask. The revolver has an octagon barrel roll-stamped with the second style Hartford legend with pointing hand. The five-shot cylinder is decorated with the Cabin and Indian scene. The serial number "21035" is stamped on the barrel, cylinder and back strap. The pistol has a high polish blue finish on the barrel, frame and cylinder with color casehardened loading lever, hammer and cylinder pin. The one piece walnut grip has a high polish piano finish. The revolver is deluxe engraved with delicate, relief cut scrollwork and has the engraved cylinder and knurled loading lever found only on deluxe engraved revolvers. The combination of deluxe engraving and the rare and elaborate Buhl case make this one of the finest examples of a cased and deluxe engraved Colt Model 1855 Sidehammer revolver extant.

Fine. The revolver retains 65% plus of the original blue and color casehardened finish. Most of the high polish blue is present on the barrel and frame with thinning on the back strap and contact points. The cylinder has a gray patina with moderate flash pitting on the percussion nipples and some hammer marks on the edges of the nipple cut-outs. The cylinder retains nearly all of the hand-cut Cabin and Indian scene. The delicate scrollwork is crisp and deep. The one-piece walnut grip has at least 90% of the piano finish varnish with a few minor handling marks. The cylinder does not turn when the hammer is cocked. The rare and elaborate Buhl case exterior is in very good condition with only light handling wear. The case interior is in good condition with bright velvet lining; wear is limited to some light compression marks and two small torn areas caused by contact with the revolver hammer spur and front sight. Some of the exterior brass inlays are lifting on the case lid. The accessories are all in good condition. This is an exceptional example of a deluxe, factory engraved Colt Model 1855 Sidehammer revolver with Colt Buhl presentation case reserved for royalty.