This cased pair of factory engraved, early production Colt Model 1851 Navy revolvers were manufactured c. 1851-1852. These Second Model 1851 Navy revolvers have the distinctive squareback trigger guards and wedge screw located above the wedge. Both revolvers have a "dot" or punch-mark stamped above or below the serial number on the loading levers, barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The punch-mark was utilized by Colt to denote components that would be engraved or specially finished. The barrels, loading levers, frames, trigger guards, back straps and hammers of both revolvers are embellished with the vine style engraving utilized on factory engraved Colt revolvers c. 1847-1852. The engraving is slightly different on each revolver but was almost certainly executed by Joseph Delany who worked for Colt at Hartford from 1850-1852. Delany's English style relief cut engraving features tight scrolls with fine arched, roped and toothed borders. The revolvers have blued steel back straps and very rare, gold-plated, trigger guards. The barrels, cylinders and back straps have a high polish blue finish and the loading levers, frames and hammers are color casehardened. The one piece grips are deluxe walnut with a piano finish. The barrels have brass cone front sights and the hammers have fine bordered knurling on the spurs. The top barrel flats on both revolvers are marked with the first style address: "-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-". The left side of both frames are roll-stamped: "COLTS/PATENT". The cylinders are roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene with "ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843" along the edge of the cylinder and "Engraved by W.L. Ormsby. New York." below the "COLT"S PATENT NO." markings. The full serial number "2875" and "2386" is stamped on the loading lever, barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder pin and cylinder of each revolver. The wedge of No. 2875 is numbered "174" and the wedge of No. 2386 is numbered "769". Aside from the wedges, all the serial numbered components of both revolvers match. A small block "B" is stamped on the left trigger guard web of each revolver. The revolvers are complete with a mahogany, American style, case with ten compartments. The case lid has scalloped brass reinforcements on the corners and a brass inscription plate. The case body has brass reinforcement strips on the corners and pearl final surrounding the key hole. The case is lined with crimson velvet. The case contains: (1) Navy size powder flask with fixed charger embossed with crossed pistols, stars, eagle and shield, banners and cannon motifs on both sides, (2) early brass double cavity straight leg bullet mold with bright sprue cutter marked "COLT'S/PATENT/B" at an angle on the right block, (3) two 250 count tins of Eley percussion caps with green labels and one 100 count tin of Eley percussion caps (all of the cap tins are marked for "COLT'S PT Belt and Pocket Pistols") and (4) sealed wooden six cartridge block of Hazards combustible envelope cartridges for Colt's Revolving Belt Pistol.

Excellent, retaining 95% of the high polish blue finish on the barrel with a few very insignificant handling marks. The face of the muzzle is bright with sharp lands and grooves. The cylinder has 100% of the roll engraved battle scene and markings and retains 95% of the blue finish. All of the safety pins are present. The cylinder face shows some finish wear and the cylinder nipple cut-outs and percussion nipples show only traces of flash pitting. One percussion nipple is partially broken. The back strap shows some handling wear but retains 90% of the blue finish. The loading lever, frame and hammer have 95% of the muted case colors. There is no flash pitting in the hammer well and only traces of flash pitting on the face and forward edge of the hammer. Small amounts of the delicate gold-plated finish is visible on protected areas of the trigger guard; most of the plated finish is covered by oxidization and has a dull blue patina. The trigger and screw heads retain most of the fire blue finish. The revolver shows very limited firing wear. The walnut grip is excellent and retains 98% of the varnished piano finish; wear is limited to a series of shallow dents on the left side of the grip. The flawlessly executed English relief cut engraving is crisp. All of the factory markings are sharp. The action is crisp and functions perfectly. The case exterior remains in very good condition. The interior is in fine condition; the crimson velvet lining is bright; wear is limited to some light compression marks and stains with some minor breaks on some of the partitions. The powder flask is in excellent plus condition and has 95% of the brown lacquer finish on the body and gold-plated finish on the top and charger intact. The early bullet mold is very good with a good looking patina and minimal handling wear. The cartridge packet is sealed and in excellent condition. The three cap tins show wear but retain the original labels and percussion caps.

As described in "A."

Exceptionally fine, with slightly more wear than No. 2875. The barrel retains nearly 85% plus of the original high polish blue with traces of edge wear. The cylinder has nearly all of the battle scene and Colt markings intact with light wear on the front and rear edges. Several of the cylinder safety pins are slightly battered but all of the pins remain intact. The face of the cylinder shows some handling marks but the cylinder shows no flash pitting. The backstrap retains 85% of the blue finish and shows some light handling wear. The case colors on the loading lever, frame and hammer have slivered but remain 90% intact. The hammer shows some very light flash pitting and several spots of age discoloration. Small amounts of gold plated finish are visible on the bottom and sides of the trigger guard; the balance of the plated finish is covered with a blue-black tarnish. The nicely figured walnut grip has nearly 100% of the piano finish intact and is in excellent plus condition. The delicate and flawlessly engraved scrollwork is crisp and deep. The Colt markings and serial numbers are sharp. The action functions perfectly. This is a stunning double cased set of very early production, squareback, Colt Model 1851 Navy revolvers. The very rare and desirable Hartford vine style factory engraving is found only on the earliest production Colt percussion revolvers. Colt percussion revolvers with gold plated finish on any component are especially rare. The combination of rare features and high condition in a double cased set of revolvers make these rare cased squareback 1851 Navy revolvers worthy of the finest firearms collection. Provenance: The Mac McCroskie Collection.