Colt Model 1861 Navy revolver manufactured in 1866 and factory engraved with the Colt 'Late Vine Style Scrollwork'. This revolver was formerly part of the Robert M. Lee collection and is pictured and described on pages 270-271 of "MAGNIFICENT COLTS, Vol. I" by Robert M. Lee and R.L. Wilson. The revolver has a silver-plated barrel, frame, loading lever plunger, trigger guard and back strap with gold-plated loading lever, cylinder, hammer and trigger. The left side of the one-piece grip has a finely detailed, relief carved, Mexican Eagle and Serpent motif. It is numbered "468" under the rear grip strap, the last three digits of the serial number. The Late Vine Style Engraving utilized by Colt c. 1862-1871 consists of delicate scroll and border work on the barrel, frame, back strap and trigger guard with wolf head motifs on either side of the hammer. The hammer has fine, bordered, checkering on the spur. The letter "E" utilized by Colt to denote components designated for engraving or special finish is stamped above or below the serial number on the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the legend: "-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-" in one line. "COLTS/PATENT" is roll-stamped on the left side of the frame in a scrollwork panel. "36 CAL" is stamped on the left rear trigger guard bow. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene, "ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843" and "COLTS PATENT No.". The full serial number, "24468" is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The cylinder is stamped with the partial serial number "468". All of the visible serial numbers match. The revolver is complete with a factory, American style, mahogany case lined with burgundy velvet. The case has five compartments and contains: (1) rare, silver-plated, American Flask & Cap Co., "Coat of Arms" pattern powder flask with fixed charger, (2) replacement blued, straight leg, .36 cal., double cavity bullet mold marked: "COLTS/PATENT" on the spruce cutter and "36P" on the right block, (3) 250 count tin of Eley percussion caps with green paper label and (4) blued, L-shaped combination screw-driver/nipple wrench.

Excellent. The revolver retains 97% plus of the delicate silver and gold-plated finish. The gold plating on the lever, cylinder, hammer and trigger has faded to a very attractive silver-gold patina. The plated finish shows some minor flaking on the sides of the hammer, inside of the hammer well and rear edges of the cylinder but the balance of the revolver finish shows minimal wear. The finely cut vine scrollwork engraving is crisp. The cylinder retains all of the roll-engraved scene and the barrel, frame, trigger guard markings and serial numbers are crisp. All of the cylinder pins are intact. There are two dents in the left edge of the trigger guard and the trigger guard and grip screws show screw-driver wear. The relief carved grip is in excellent condition and the high detailed Eagle and Serpent motif is extremely sharp. The only wear is a barely visible, hair-line, age crack that extends upward from the top of the eagle's right wing. The action functions well. The case is in fine condition. The lid shows minor storage and handling scratches. The burgundy velvet lining is in fine condition. The fabric is clean and shows minimal fading. Wear is limited to compression marks from contact with the revolver cylinder and butt. The period plated silver-plated powder flask, bullet mold, cap tin and screw-driver/nipple wrench are all in fine condition. This is an exceptional example of a factory cased and engraved Colt Model 1861 Navy revolver with rarely encountered silver and gold-plated finish and original matching serialized relief-carved grip. Provenance: Robert M. Lee Collection.