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Absolute Finest Known Colt Model 1855 7A Sidehammer "Root" London Marked Revolver
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN "THE GUN REPORT" FROM NOVEMBER 1999
LOT 1173
The Finest Known Factory Cased London Marked Colt Model 1855
7A Sidehammer Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 12864,
Samuel Colt
Elisha Root
31 percussion cal., 4 1/2 inch
round bbl., high polish blue
finish, antique ivory grips. This extraordinary Colt Model 1855 Sidehammer 7A revolver was
manufactured circa 1868. This Model 7A revolver has a .31 caliber 4 1/2 inch round barrel and round loading lever with navy style latch and latch catch, round cylinder roll-engraved with the stagecoach holdup scene and extremely rare retainer screw in the side. The top of the barrel is marked: “ADDRESS/COL. COLT LONDON” in two lines. “LE” is stamped above the serial number on the revolver butt. London “Crown/GP” and “Crown/V” proof and inspection marks are stamped on the left side of the barrel and above each chamber on the cylinder. The serial
number is stamped on the revolver butt, the side of the cylinder and on the underside of the barrel. All of the visible serial numbers match. The revolver has the London Colt high polish blue finish on the barrel, cylinder and frame. The loading lever, hammer and cylinder pin are color casehardened, and the
revolver has a one-piece grip. The revolver is contained in a British oak case with round brass plate in the center and eight brass reinforcing screws on the corners. The case has a green baize lining
with seven compartments. A Colt instruction sheet is glued to the inside of the lid. The case contains: (1) steel cleaning rod with turned wooden handle, (2) Ely cap tin marked
for Colt’s Belt and Pocket pistols, (3) pewter oil bottle with Dixon markings on the bottom, (4) L-shaped combination screwdriver/nipple wrench, (5) blued, iron, straight leg, double cavity bullet mold stamped “COLT’S/PATENT” on
the sprue cutter and “31PKT” on the right block, (6) bag-shaped
Dixon powder flask with adjustable charger marked “COLTS POCKET FLASK” on the lid, (7) Model 1855 Sidehammer tool (8) .31 caliber
round and conical bullets and (9) key. Model 1855 Sidehammer revolvers with London markings are the rarest of all London-marked Colt percussion pistols. This
revolver was pictured on the cover of the November 1999 issue of “GUN REPORT” magazine.