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LOT 3194
Cased Early Factory Engraved Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver - Serial no.
6358, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/ casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. Samuel Colt’s Model 1851 Navy or “Revolving Belt Pistol
of Naval Caliber” is one of the most historically significant firearms. It was this model that met
with the most international success following Colt’s exhibition of arms at
the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. This revolver was manufactured
in 1851 and displays the early Hartford engraving prominent before the
influx of German trained engravers that came to dominate American
firearms engraving for many decades. This revolver may have been
engraved by Thomas J. Barlow who is believed to have engraved for Colt
from mid-1852 to early 1854 per Herbert Houze in “Colt Factory Engravers
of the Nineteenth Century.”The engraving has similarities with the pieces
attributed to Barlow on pages 14-20, not especially the engraving on page
16-17. In addition to the scrollwork, there are a variety of border designs, a big cat vignette on the right side of the barrel (possibly a cougar), “COLTS/PATENT” hand inscribed on the left side of the frame, some checkerboard accents, bestial design on the hammer, and floral accents. There are dot marking by several of the serial numbers indicating the factory designated this revolver for engraving. The barrel has a brass cone front sight and “-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-.” Matching serial numbers are marked on the loading lever, wedge, arbor pin, cylinder, barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, and rear mortise of the grip. The custom case has a Eley Bros. cap tin, L-shaped combination tool, navy pattern brass powder flask with sloped spout, “COLT’S/PATENT” marked iron dual cavity bullet mold, and key.
CONDITION: Very good with lightly worn but distinct engraving, 70% original silver plating, traces of original blue finish and case colors in the some of the protected areas, mottled gray and brown patina on the balance, minor pitting, and general mild wear. The refinished grip is also very good and has most
of the original varnish, moderate handling wear, mild edge wear, and light dings
and scratches. Mechanically fine. The relined case is good and has an absent
lid escutcheon, some wrinkles and mild wear on the lining, and mild wear. The accessories are fine and have minor wear.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 3195
Desirable Factory
Engraved Colt Model 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 146735, 31 cal., 6 inch octagon
bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. This classic factory engraved
‘49 Pocket was manufactured in 1858 and almost certainly engraved by Master Engraver Gustave Young or his
shop. He was Colt’s primary engraving contractor from the 1850s and 1860s and was in Germany from July 1858 to the September 1861. The engraving style is certainly in keeping with Young’s known work and consists of extensive German-American scroll engraving with beaded
backgrounds on the loading lever, barrel, all of the frame, the sides of the hammer, and on the grip frame. The engraving on the left side of the barrel
above the loading lever screw includes a screaming eagle head, and the barrel has the fine script “Saml Colt” marking hand inscribed on the top. The left side of the frame has the hand inscribed “COLT S/PATENT” marking in an open panel among the scrolls, and the right side at the rear has a bestial
face cleverly among the scroll pattern on the lower corner. While Young is well-known for using animal faces among his designs, the use in this location
is unusual and certainly makes this revolver more interesting. The scroll patterns throughout also include various floral accents, and there are some fan designs. The hammer has a wolf head motif. The
factory apostrophe mark used to denote revolvers destined for engraving or special finishing is marked on several components. The cylinder has the standard stagecoach hold-up scene. The serial numbers on the loading lever, wedge, arbor pin, cylinder, barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, and grip all match. The grip is figured and has a varnish finish.
CONDITION: Very good with crisp engraving, 70% original silver plating, 25% original blue finish on the barrel mainly on the lower flats, a repaired and refinished loading lever tip, smooth gray and brown patina on most of the balance, and mild overall wear. The grip is very good and has mild lower edge wear, light scratches and dings, and most of the high gloss original varnish remaining. Mechanically fine. This is a very attractive ‘49 Pocket.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
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