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LOT 1166
Early Production Factory Engraved Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver with Inscribed Case - Serial
no. 7967, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. This early Colt Model 1851 Navy was manufactured in 1851 and is a Third Model with the small rounded trigger guard
bow. It features the classic early Hartford “donut scroll” engraving found on Colts from the early 1850s. The scroll engraving covers the rear sides of the loading lever, the breech section of the barrel and barrel lug, essentially all of the frame, the grip frame, and the hammer. The engraving
has crosshatched backgrounds and some light borders. On this example, some of
the scrolls are more open and feather-like while others are very tight and “donut” shaped. There are fan designs at the top of the back strap. The hammer also features
a bestial face design, and the trigger
guard bow has a patriotic shield design sometimes seen on these early engraved Colts. The left side of the frame has “COLTS/ PATENT” hand inscribed in a panel. The barrel has a brass cone front sight and is marked “-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-.” Matching serial numbers are found on the loading lever, wedge, arbor pin, cylinder, barrel, frame, grip frame, and grip. The barrel, frame, and grip frame have
the factory dot marking used to denote revolvers selected for special finishing such as engraving. The revolver is finished in the classic Colt percussion era style with blue
on the barrel and cylinder, casehardened frame as well as loading lever and
hammer, and silver plate grip frame. The nicely figured walnut grip has the high gloss “piano” varnish finish. The revolver comes in a fitted hardwood case with an Eley Bros. cap tin, navy pattern flask with sloped spout, L-shaped combination tool, spare mainspring, and a brass Colt bullet mold with iron sprue cutter. The case lid escutcheon is inscribed with a name in
Old English style script. The first letter of the last name is a bit difficult to decipher, but the name appears to be “J.T. Ware.” The owner is not documented, and there were several J.T. Wares in the period, including a member of the Natchez Rifles of Mississippi who appears to have lived 1822-1891. CONDITION: Very good. The engraving
and most of the markings remain crisp.
The grip frame retains mostof the original silver plating with only a couple small
spots of loss. The iron displays a mottled mix of light gray patina and mild pitting
on the barrel and cylinder and silver-gray patina and traces of case color patterns
on the frame. The nipples and safety pins show very little wear. The grip is very fine and retains nearly all of the original high gloss varnish and has some light marks
and scratches from handing and storage. Mechanically excellent. The relined case and accessories are good and have mild wear. No Colt percussion revolver collection can be considered complete without a donut scroll engraved Model 1851 Navy! Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
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LOT 1167
Fine Cased Colt Model 1862 Police Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 7213, 36 cal., 6 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened/ silver finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1862. The revolver has standard markings and matching full or partial serial numbers on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, wedge, cylinder and cylinder pin. The partitioned case contains a correct blued “COLTS/PATENT”“36P marked bullet mold, Eley Brothers cap tin, sealed package of six combustible envelope cartridges, bullets, balls, “L” shaped combination tool, case key, and double sided eagle powder flask. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 60% original high polish blue finish with a smooth brown patina on the balance, 20% original case colors, and 40% original case colors along with limited light pitting. The grip is very fine with minor handling marks and retaining most of the original varnish. Mechanically excellent. The refinished exterior, relined case is fine with minor dings and scratches. 70% original blue finish remains on the exceptionally fine bullet mold. Powder flask is fine and retains nearly 80% original lacquer finish with a couple dings. An attractive Colt Model 1862 Police revolver. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500