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LOT 3254
Cased Antique
Colt London Model
1878 Double Action
Revolver in .455
Eley - Serial no. 11239,
455 eley cal., 5 1/2 inch
round bbl., blue finish,
checkered walnut
grips. Manufactured
in 1883. The barrel has
the scarce “COLT’S PT.
F.A. MFG Co HARTFORD
CT. U.S.A. DEPOT 14
PALL MALL LONDON”
address and is chambered in .455 Eley. The trigger guard is marked “455 CAL/E.” Only 1,147 Model 1878s were manufactured in .455 Eley with a 5 1/2 inch barrel and blue finish per Don Wilkerson in “Colt’s Double-Action Revolver” (pg. 359). London proofs are stamped on the underside of the barrel and behind each cylinder flute. The cylinder and both grip panels are numbered to the gun. The partitioned case features a Colt London paper label on the interior of the lid and contains an added cartridge block holding 28 rounds of .455 Eley, case key, oiler, cleaning rod, and combination tool.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 70% bright original high polish blue finish with the balance a smooth brown patina. The grips are very fine with minimal minor handling marks and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically does not rotate cylinder. The modified case is very good with minor handling/storage marks and wear to the lining. Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 3255
Scarce Cased Cogswell
& Harrison Retailer
Marked Colt London
Model 1877 Lightning
Double Action Revolver -
Serial no. 7150, 38 LC cal., 4
1/2 inch round bbl., nickel
finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1878. The
barrel is stamped “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD
CT. U.S.A./DEPOT 14. PALL MALL LONDON.” Per R.L.
Wilson in “The Book of Colt Firearms” about 1,500 Model 1877s, mostly
in .38 caliber with 4 1/2 and 5 inch barrels, featured the Colt Pall Mall
London barrel legend. London proofs appear on the underside of the
barrel and behind each cylinder flute. The top strap has the London
retailer marking: “COGSWELL & HARRISON/142 NEW BOND ST. LONDON.” The left side of the frame has the three- line patent dates marking. Matching full or partial serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard, back strap and cylinder. The partitioned case contains a C.&J.W. Hawksley oiler, case key, 7 rounds of .380 Eley (similar to .38 LC), cleaning rod and screwdriver. The interior of the case lid has a Cogsell & Harrison paper label.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 90% plus original nickel finish with some loss on the loading gate along with a number of handling marks and scratches. 70% retailer applied niter blue remains on the hammer, trigger, screws and cylinder pin. The grips are very good with a chip at the toe (right panel) and some blemishes and wear in the checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine with minor handling/storage marks, typical high spot wear on the lining and legible retailer label.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,500
LOT 3256
Desirable Cased First Year Production
Colt London Model 1878 Double Action Revolver in .450 Boxer - Serial no. 413, 450 Boxer cal., 5 1/2
nch round bbl., nickel inish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1878, the first year of production. The barrel has the scarce “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG
Co HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. DEPOT 14 PALL MALL LONDON” address and is chambered in .450 Boxer. The trigger guard is marked “45 CAL/B.” Reportedly 406 Model 1878s were manufactured in .450 Boxer with a 5 1/2 inch barrel and nickel finish per Don Wilkerson in “Colt’s Double-Action Revolver” (354). London proofs are stamped on the underside of the barrel and behind each cylinder flute. The cylinder, loading gate and both grip panels are numbered to the gun. The partitioned case features a Colt London paper label on the interior of the lid and contains an added cartridge block holding 24 rounds of .450 caliber, cleaning rod, tool, James Dixon & Sons oiler, and case key.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 80% original nickel finish with a smooth gray patina on the balance. The grips are fine with some minor handling marks and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. The modified case is very good with minor handling/storage marks and typical high spot wear on the lining.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3257
Cased Colt Etched Panel
Model 1877 Lightning
Double Action Revolver
- Serial no. 58494, 38 LC
cal., 4 1/2 inch round bbl.,
nickel finish, hard rubber
grips. Manufactured in 1887.
The barrel has the two-line
Hartford legend on top and
the desirable acid etched
“COLT D.A. 38” panel on the
left side. London proofs
appear on the underside of
the barrel and behind each
cylinder flute. The left side of
the frame has the three-line patent dates marking. Matching
full or partial serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard,
back strap and cylinder. The partitioned case contains an
added cartridge block holding 20 rounds of .380 Eley (similar
to .38 LC) and holds a case key, cleaning rod/screwdriver and
bore brush. The interior of the lid features a Colt London paper label.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 85% original nickel finish with some polished light pitting visible on the cylinder. The etched panel is clear. 95% original niter blue remains on the hammer, trigger, screw heads and cylinder pin. The grips are excellent with overall crisp checkering. Mechanically needs work as hammer does not lock in the half or full cock positions, otherwise action cycles properly. The case is fine with minor handling/ storage marks and typical high spot wear on the lining.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
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