Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout us
Log InCreate Account
Rock Island Auction CompanyRock Island Auction Company
Contact us
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
Locations
Bedford, TX
3600 Harwood RoadBedford, Texas 76021, USA
Rock Island, IL
7819 42nd Street WestRock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
Hours
Monday - Friday8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Navigation
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout usAccount
More Info
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyJob postings & CareersOrder a catalogContact
Social media
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
Disconnected
Unable to connect to live update server, attempting reconnection. If this persists, please try refreshing your browser.
Disconnected state indicated by at top of page. If you cannot see this icon, you are connected.
Rock Island Auction Company
Hello.
Please Log In, or .

Home
Auctions
Consignment
Latest
FAQ
About us

  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 1232

Lot 1232:Colt 1855 Sidehammer Revolver 28 Percussion

September 11th, 2015|Rock Island, IL
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 1232

Lot 1232:Colt 1855 Sidehammer Revolver 28 Percussion

September 11th, 2015|Rock Island, IL
Price Realized:
Login to viewLogin to view
Price obfuscated
Estimated Price$85,000 - $130,000
Log In to use Wishlists
Share

Phenomenal Deluxe Gustave Young Factory Engraved Colt Model 1855 Sidehammer "Root" Revolver with Incredibly Rare Buhl Presentation Case

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.

ConditionFine. 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.
Details
ManufacturerColt
Model1855 Sidehammer
TypeRevolver
Serial number
ClassAntique
Caliber / Gauge28 Percussion
Barrel3 1/2 inch octagon
Finishblue
Gripwalnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views2848
Catalog page112
Find MoreRelated Items
Lot 3258Cased London Address Colt Model 1855 Percussion Pocket Revolver
View Lot
Lot 278Cased Colt Model 1855 "Root" Model 3 Pocket Revolver
View Lot
Lot 3195 Wilbur Glahn Engraved Colt Single Action Army Revolver
View Lot
Lot 324Howard Dove Factory Engraved Colt Single Action Army Revolver
View Lot
Show More