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LOT 1168
Extremely Fine Precious Metal Finished and Engraved Colt Model 1855 “Root” Side Hammer Revolver with Highly Detailed Relief Carved Grip
Cased, Finely
Engraved, Colt Model
1855 Side Hammer
Pocket Revolver with
Relief Carved Grip -
Serial no. 7955, 31
percussion cal., 3 1/2
inch round bbl., gold/
silver finish, antique
ivory grips. Colt 1855
Model 5 Side Hammer
Pocket Revolver
manufactured circa
1863. The revolver has a
.31 caliber, round barrel
and five-shot, full-fluted
cylinder with New York
scroll engraving on a
punch-dot background,
scallop and dot borders
and gold washed
silver-plated finish. The
left side of the grip is
relief carved with a
highly detailed bust
of a young man in a
19th century suit. The
top of the barrel is roll-
stamped: “ADDRESS
COL. COLT/NEW-YORK
U.S.A.” in two lines.
The serial number,
“7955”, is stamped on
the underside of the
barrel and the butt. The
revolver is complete
with a mahogany,
French-fitted case with
brass corners on the lid
and brass reinforcements on the body. The case interior is lined with red velvet accented with green piping. The case contains: (1) brass, double cavity, straight leg bullet mold with “COLT/PATENT” stamped on the bright finished sprue cutter, (2) blued, L-shaped, screw-driver/combination tool, (3) pocket pistol powder flask with fixed charger and eagle/shield motif embossed on both sides of the body and (4) compartment with wooden lid.
CONDITION: Fine. The revolver retains 25% of the delicate gold washed finish and 70% of
the silver-plated finish. The factory legend, serial numbers and precisely executed
factory scroll engraving are deep and crisp. The highly detailed, relief carved grip
has a very attractive patina and remains in very fine condition. The action functions
intermittently, needs work. The case exterior remains in very good overall condition with
a few insignificant handling marks. The case interior is in very good overall condition
with minimal fading; wear is limited to a few compression marks from contact
with the revolver and accessories. The bullet mold and combination tool
are in excellent condition. The flask body has a dark patina with traces
of the original bright finish, but the flask itself is free from dents and
remains in very good overall condition. This is a fine example of a cased,
engraved Colt 1855 Model 5 Side Hammer Revolver with gold washed
silver-plated finish and relief carved grip.
Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000
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