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LOT 182
Desirable Civil War Era Cased Factory Engraved Colt Model 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolver -
Serial no. 266580E, 31 cal., 4 inch octagon bbl., blue/ casehardened/silver finish, highly figured varnished
walnut grips. The Colt Model 1849 Pocket was the most popular of all of Colt’s percussion revolvers and was a common choice for a personal sidearm during the antebellum and Civil War eras. This revolver was manufactured in 1864 during the
American Civil War, the same year as Colt’s disastrous factory fire, and is engraved in the “late percussion vine scroll” style. “E” for “engraved” is marked by the lower serial numbers. The intaglio scroll engraving without backgrounds is likely the work of
Georg H. Sterzing who engraved for Colt c. 1858-1871. The particular designs of the wolf head and scrolls
on the hammer are close matches for multiple revolvers attributed to Sterzing in “Colt Factory Engravers of the Nineteenth Century” by Herbert Houze, and the eagle head design on the left side of the barrel is also very similar to examples attributed to him. The revolver has a nicely figured grip and the standard sights and markings, including all matching serial numbers. In addition to the revolver, the case contains a double sided eagle powder flask, blued “COLT’S/PATENT” marked double cavity bullet mold, and cap tin.
CONDITION: Fine. The engraving remains crisp. There are patches of the original blue, silver, and casehardened finishes in the protected areas and otherwise a smooth gray-brown patina on the steel and aged patina on the brass. The grip is very fine and has nice figure, strong original finish, mild edge wear, and light scratches and marks. Mechanically fine. The case is very good with tattered, faded lining, some partition separation, and mild age and storage related wear. The flask is fine. The mold is good.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
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LOT 183
Attractive Colt Model 1861 Navy Richards-Mason Conversion Revolver - Serial no. 3003, 38 Short CF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. This attractive Colt
conversion revolver was manufactured in the mid 1870s within the separate 100-3300 serial number range. These revolvers are very rare with an estimated total production of just 2,200. They are particularly difficult to
acquire in high condition. The barrel has a nickel-silver blade front sight, and the top is roll-stamped “-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-.” The left side of the frame is stamped with the “-PAT. JULY. 25. 1871-/-PAT. JULY. 2. 1872-” over the
original percussion era “COLTS/PATENT” marking, and “36 CAL” is stamped on the left shoulder of the trigger guard. The cylinder has the classic Naval Battle of Campeche roll scene. Matching serial numbers are visible on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, and loading gate. The revolver has the Colt high polish commercial blue finish on the barrel, ejector housing and cylinder. The frame, conversion ring, hammer, and loading gate are color casehardened. The brass trigger guard and back strap are silver-plated, and the one-piece walnut grip has nice figure and a varnish finish.
CONDITION: Very fine. The revolver retains 95% plus of the replated silver plating which has taken on an attractive appearance, 85% plus of the bright original blue finish, 80% of the vivid original case colors with thinning mainly on the recoil shield, and most of the original niter blue on the screws and trigger. There are some light scratches and marks throughout, but the overall wear is light and mostly associated with age and handling. The slightly undersized grip is very good and has mild scratches and dings, some nice figure, most of
the varnish remaining, and minor edge wear. Mechanically excellent. This is an attractive Colt Model 1861 Navy Richard’s-Mason Conversion Revolver that would be an exceptional addition to any antique arms collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000