Hartford Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver with London barrel address and Third Model Stock with canteen insert manufactured in 1859. This revolver is extensively illustrated and described in detail on pages 194-199 of "Magnificent Colts, Volume I" by R.L. Wilson and Robert M. Lee. The revolver is decorated with scroll and arabesque engraving on a punch dot background with a grotesque mask in the scrollwork on the left side of the frame and hounds head motifs on either side of the hammer. The engraving is executed in the style of Gustave Young but may have been done by Georg H. Sterzing whose engraving style was similar to Young and who was employed by Colt in Hartford while Young was in Germany between July 1858 and September 1861. The stock yoke and buttplate feature similar but not identical engraving and, as R.L. Wilson notes in his description, maybe the work of a different engraver. The initials "AH" are engraved on the back strap and the escutcheon disk on the case lid. The revolver has a dovetail mounted, nickel-silver front sight blade and four-screw frame with cuts in the recoil shield to engage the stock yoke. The steel back strap is milled for a stock hook. The hammer spur has borderless hand-cut knurling. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene and "COLTS PATENT". The top barrel flat is roll-stamped "-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT LONDON-" enclosed in a panel formed by scalloped engraving. "COLTS/PATENT" is hand engraved in an arch surrounded by scrollwork on the left side of the frame. A punch-dot, which indicates that the component was designated by the factory for engraving or special finish, is stamped either above or below the serial number on the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap. London "Crown/GP" and "Crown/V" proof and inspection marks are stamped on the lower left barrel flat and between each cylinder chamber. The full serial number "91997" is stamped on: (1) the barrel lug, (2) frame, (3) trigger guard, (4) back strap, (5) cylinder and (6) lower stock tang behind the yoke. The loading lever is stamped with the partial serial number "1997". All of the visible serial numbers match. The barrel and cylinder have a high polish blue finish, and the loading lever, frame and hammer are color casehardened. The trigger guard and back strap are silver-plated. The deluxe, nicely figured walnut grip has a high polish piano finish. The straight grain walnut stock has a varnished piano finish. The stock yoke and buttplate are silver-plated, and the stock hook, thumb screw, sling swivel and canteen insert top are blued. The revolver and stock are complete with an English style, brass bound, mahogany case. The case a green baize lining with eleven compartments. The case contains: (1) blued, double cavity, straight leg bullet mold marked: "COLT'S/PATENT/B" on the sprue cutter, (2) Navy size Dixon powder flask marked :"COLTS NAVY FLASK" on the top, (3) oil bottle, (4) 250 count marked Eley percussion caps with blue paper label and some caps, (5) sealed packet of six cartridges for "Whitney's or Colt's Navy Pistol" (6) L-shaped combination screwdriver/nipple wrench and (7) .36 caliber lead conical bullets. R.L Wilson states in his description that only a handful of cased and stocked Colt revolvers are know to exist. This stunning revolver was once reportedly displayed as part of a special exhibition at the Royal Armories in the Tower of London.

Excellent. This revolver all original and shows only handling and storage wear. The revolver and shoulder stock retain at least 90% of the original blue, casehardened and silver-plated finish. Nearly all of the high polish blue finish is present on the barrel and cylinder; wear is limited to a few very insignificant handling marks and some surface spotting on the cylinder from storage. The percussion nipples, rear face of the cylinder and hammer are free from flash pitting. All of the cylinder safety pins are complete. The cylinder retains all of the roll-engraved naval scene. The lever, frame and hammer have strong case colors. The delicate, silver-plated finish on the trigger guard and back strap is tarnished but shows only light handling wear. The flawlessly executed scroll and arabesque engraving is crisp and deep. The screw heads retain much of the niter blue finish and shows no screwdriver wear. The top of the grip has some blemishes and finish loss from contact with the stock yoke but remains in excellent overall condition. The rare canteen stock remains in excellent condition; wear is limited to several very minor storage marks; nearly all of the high polish piano finish remains. The stock yoke and buttplate retain almost all of the silver-plated finish with crisp engraving. The exterior of the brass bound mahogany case is fine with a few light scratches and handling marks. The green baize lining is clean and bright; wear is limited to some torn areas on the loose partitions from contact with the front sight, hammer and stock hook. The Dixon flask is in excellent condition; the bag-shaped body retains more than 95% of the brown lacquer finish. Nearly all of the gold plating is present on the top and charger, and the spring has most of the fire blue finish. The bullet mold, oil bottle and cap tin are in good condition. The cartridge packet is in excellent condition. The case is missing the cleaning rod and retailer label. This is a truly exceptional example of an extremely rare, factory cased and engraved London/Hartford Model 1851 Navy revolver with canteen stock. Provenance: Robert M. Lee Collection.