Both revolvers were manufactured in 1855. From May to November of 1855 and are four serial numbers apart. Colt participated in the Exposition Universelle on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Samuel Colt no doubt wished to display both the utility of his weapons and also their potential elegance and certainly would have displayed engraved revolvers such as this pair; the revolvers show very ornate and detailed London factory engraving suggesting they were produced for a special purpose. The pair of London Navies believed to have been presented to Napoleon III pictured on page 131 of "The Book of Colt Engraving" by R. L. Wilson were likely produced on the same day given their very close serial numbers (21907 and 21911 for this pair and 21900 and 21904 for the Napoleon pair). Note the incredibly similar, near matching engraving patterns and the very similar case and accessories. Colt had received cool reviews from French writers at the 1851 Crystal Palace Exhibition in London at which he displayed a prototype of the Model 1851 Navy; one reviewer talked of Colt's revolvers much as certain politicians today tend to talk about modern semi-automatics and wrote: ". . .friends of violence carry revolvers with them. . .under the slightest pretext they [Americans] kill each other with an incredible furry." Despite the negative early stereotyping of both his invention and those that used them, Colt received the third level silver medal at the 1855 exhibition which had over twenty-three thousand exhibitors and over five million visitors. See page 185 of Samuel Colt: Arms, Art, and Invention by Houze for more information on the French reception. The revolvers have the Colt punch-mark stamped below the serial numbers on the barrel lugs, frames, trigger guards, and back straps indicating that these components were designated by the factory for engraving and special finish. The revolvers are engraved with delicate British style scrollwork on a lined background. The engraving covers the muzzles, barrel lugs, ends of the wedges, loading levers, frames, trigger guards, back straps, and the sides and tops of the hammers. The top of both barrels are roll-stamped with the legend: "- ADDRESS. COL. COLT. LONDON-" with arrows at either end surrounded by an engraved double line border. The serial numbers on the barrel lugs, fames, and trigger guards are enclosed in rectangular panels. Engraved oval panels surround the London proofmarks on the left side of each barrel lug. "COLT'S PATENT" is engraved in Old English letters on the left side of each frame surrounded by a curving banner. The Texas Navy battle scene on each revolver cylinder has been enhanced by hand engraving. London "Crown/V" and "Crown/CP" proof and inspection marks are stamped over each chamber. The matching full serial numbers are stamped on the loading levers, barrel lugs, frames, trigger guards, and back straps. Both revolvers have blued barrels, loading levers, cylinders, frames, and hammers and silver plated trigger guards and back straps. The grips are nicely figured walnut with an oil finish. The revolvers have the distinctive London Navy features which include: large oval steel trigger guard and steel Back straps with large hammer notches, deeper nipple recesses on the cylinders, fine bordered knurling on the hammer spurs, and round head screws. The revolvers are in a British style oak case with dark green baize lining. The interior has ten compartments including two with lids and contains: (1) two 250 count tins of Eley percussion caps with green paper labels, (2) blued L-shaped combination screwdriver/nipple wrench, (3) iron straight leg double cavity bullet mold marked "COLT'S/PATENT" on the sprue cutter and "36B" on the right mold block, (4) pewter oil bottle, (5) bag shaped "JAMES DIXON/& SONS/SHEFFIELD" power flask with 4/8, 5/8 and 6/8 dram adjustable charger, lanyard loop, brown lacquered body, and gold plated top, (6) and packet of six Sage .36 seamless skin cartridges.

Very good as period refinished. It retains traces of the faded blue finish. The trigger guard and back strap display 40% of the silver plated finish with some heavy flaking on the inside. The enhanced cylinder scene is crisp. The other markings are also distinct. There is minimal flash pitting on the percussion nipples, cylinder faces, and hammer. The highly figured walnut grip is very good with minimal handling wear. The delicate, precisely cut scrollwork is deep and crisp. The action is tight and functions perfectly. The oak case exterior is in very good condition and shows only light handling and storage wear. The baize lining is in good overall condition. The lining is dusty, and the top edges of several partitions are worn at the top. One end of the flask compartment is broken. Both cap tins are in fair to good condition with complete labels and most of the caps. The screwdriver/nipple wrench retains most of the dull blue finish. The bullet mold is in good overall condition and retains about 40% of the original blue finish. The pewter oil bottle shows little wear. The Dixon flask is in very good condition and retains close to 90% of the brown lacquer finish on the body, nearly all of the gold plated finish on the charger and top, and most of the fire blue finish on the spring. It has a shallow dent on one side and a few scattered handling marks and scratches. The top of the cartridge packet has been opened and three cartridges are visible. This is a solid representative true double cased set of Factory Engraved Colt London Model 1851 Navy revolvers that are numbered 21907 and 21911 respectively almost certainly used by Colt as display pieces.

See description A.

Very good as period refinished. 30% of the faded blue and silver plated finishes remain. The enhanced cylinder scene, markings, and scrollwork are distinct. There is limited flash pitting on the percussion nipples, cylinder faces, and hammer. The highly figured walnut grip is also in very good condition with slight handling and storage wear.