Double cased factory engraved sets are a rarity in Colt collecting. This pairing consists of a Model 1851 and Model 1849 manufactured in 1853 and 1851 respectively, are decorated with dissimilar factory scroll patterns and were once part of the famed William Locke Collection. The pair is pictured and identified in Frank Sellers' "The William M. Locke Collection" on page 93, taking special note of the "extra grade engraving." The Model 1851 (gun “A”) features Gustave Young style classic Germanic scroll patterns with punched backgrounds and floral and dog head accents. The dog heads appear amongst the scrollwork on the left side of the barrel lug and recoil shield as well as on the hammer. The six dots on the hammer spur are often attributed as representing the number of working days spent on the engraving. The dot noting factory engraving/special finishing appears near the serial numbers on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap and cylinder. The cylinder has the standard naval scene and is marked “COLTS PATENT No. 28182” along with the number "3” below the serial number. “COLTS/PATENT” is engraved in a downward arch on the left side of the frame. The top barrel flat is stamped with the one-line New York address. The silver plated back strap and trigger guard are iron, a “most unusual feature” as noted by Nathan Swayze in “’51 Colt Navies” for Model 1851s falling into the Early Third Model serial range (4200-30000). In Swayze’s book, no. 28358, which is less than 180 numbers away from this example, is also identified with both grip straps made of iron. Matching full or partial serial numbers appear on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, wedge, arbor pin and loading lever. The partitioned double case houses both revolver, is lined in burgundy velvet and contains accessories for both model of Colt revolvers: Eley Brothers cap tin, double sided eagle Navy power flask, double sided eagle Pocket power flask, two .31 caliber brass “COLTS/PATENT” marked bullet molds, lead bullets and balls, two different sized “L” shaped combination tools, sealed package Colt Police .36 caliber combustible envelope cartridges, and sealed package of Colt Pocket caliber combustible envelope cartridges.

Very fine. The barrel retains 85% original high polished blue finish on the barrel and the cylinder retains 60% original high polished blue finish with the balance a smooth brown patina. 40% of the original case colors remain on the loading lever. The hammer and frame retain 60% original case colors. The iron grip straps retain 70% age darkened original silver plating. The engraving is crisp. The highly figured grip is very fine with minor scratches and much of the original varnish remaining. Mechanically fine. The case is fine with part of the locking hardware absent, minor handling/storage marks and typical high spot wear to the faded lining. The accessories are very good.

The revolver features feather style scrollwork with cross hatching shading. The motifs are similar to those identified to Thomas Joseph Barlow by Herbert Houze in “Colt Factory Engravers of the Nineteenth Century,” in particular the feather scrolls, shading, and patterns found on the trigger guard bow (shield) and back strap shoulder (scallop shell). Houze identified a number of Barlow engraved Colts from the early 1850s. The hammer has a wolf’s head. The dot noting factory engraving/special finishing appears near the serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. “COLTS/PATENT” is engraved on the left side of the frame. The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line New York address. The cylinder has the standard naval scene and is marked “COLTS PATENT/No. 19070.” Matching full or partial serial number numbers appear on the barrel, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, wedge, and arbor pin.

Very fine. The barrel retains 75% plus original high polished blue finish and the cylinder retains 40% original high polished blue finish with the balance brown patina. Slight traces of original case colors remain on the loading lever, hammer and frame, otherwise faded to an overall gray. The engraving is crisp. The highly figured grip is also very fine with minor handling marks and most of the original varnish remaining. Mechanically functions, although the cylinder does not lock properly on one of the notches when the action is cycled. This high attractive, factory engraved double presentation cased Colt Model 1851 and Model 1849 that was once part of the prestigious William Locke collection will be a welcomed addition to any Colt antique collection no matter how advanced. Two different models of Colt percussion revolvers in one casing are extremely rare!