Page 129 - Auction84-Book1

Desirable and Important Colt Percussion Conversion Revolvers
LOT 260
Important Experimental Centerfire Conversion Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver
- Serial no. 36820, 38 CF cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, varnished walnut
grips. The consignor indicated this is one of three Colt factory toolroom conversions from his collection and notes that toolroom workmen in the 1870s “were given free rein to develop conversion systems that would enable sales of surplus percussion revolvers.” See
the article “Colt’s Toolroom in the 1870s” by Dick Salzer in Arms Heritage Magazine Vol. 1 Issue 2 for more details.
The revolver’s serial number dates to 1854, the barrel has the early New York City address. The frame has the small “COLTS/
PATENT” marking on the left. The cylinder has the standard Navy roll scene and is cut for use with metallic cartridges including recesses at the back of the chambers unlike the standard conversion. The breech plate/recoil shield is secured to the frame by three screws, and the loading gate has an unusual release lever and latch rather than the spring used on the standard conversions. The hammer has a
long firing pin and no notch rear sight. The revolver is not fitted with an ejector and retains the original percussion loading lever. The
matching serial numbers are stamped on the loading lever, wedge, barrel, cylinder, cylinder pin, frame, and grip straps and handwritten in ink in the back strap mortise of the grip. The reworked components are a mix of in-the-white and dull blue, and the breech plate appears to have been finished in a plum brown. The barrel is the original bright blue, and the grip straps have the original silver plating. CONDITION: Fine with 60% of the original bright blue on the barrel, subtle original case colors on the loading lever, mostly a dull blue finish on the frame and hammer, silver-gray on the cylinder, brown patina on the breech plate along with traces of a plum finish in the protected areas, 30% original silver plating showing aged patina on the grip straps, age patina on the exposed brass, some minor oxidation, and scattered minor marks and scratches. The grip is very fine with a series of notches cut on the lower left edge, light scratches and marks, strong varnished finish, and minor edge wear. Mechanically fine. This is a very interesting and unusual conversion revolver. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 261
Cased Set of Two Colt Richards-Mason
Conversion Model 1860 Army Revolvers
-A) Colt Richards-Mason Model 1860 Army Revolver -
Serial no. 6126, 44 CF cal., 8 inch round bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory
grips. Offered here is a set of two cased Colt Richards-Mason Model
1860 Army Revolvers. It is not often that we encounter a set pair of Colt
Richards-Mason Model 1860 Army Revolvers. Approximately only 2,100 of these
“conversions” were manufactured around 1877-1878 using a mixture of remaining Model 1860 Army parts and newly manufactured components. The serial number of both revolvers (nos. 6126 and 6622) fall correctly within the separate conversion range (5800-7900). Both revolvers have matching serial numbers on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap and cylinder. The assembly number on the loading gate for “A” is “265” and “B” is
“697.” The barrels have the one-line Hartford address. The left side of the frames are marked “-PAT. JULY 25. 1871-/-PAT. JULY 2. 1872.-” The left side of the trigger guards are marked “44 CAL.”
Each cylinder has the naval battle scene. The French cut double gun case contains a red box Remington-UMC .44 Colt (Old Model) cartridges.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 80% retailer applied nickel plating with the balance a smooth brown-gray patina and some pitting around the loading gate. Nearly all of the replacement, renumbered cylinder scene remains. The grips are excellent with minimal handling marks and highly attractive color and grain. Mechanically excellent. The relined case is fine with minor handling/storage marks, a chipped corner and typical high edge wear on the lining.
B) Colt Richards-Mason Model 1860 Army Revolver - Serial no. 6622, 44 CF cal., 8 inch round bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. See “A”.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 70% original nickel plating with a smooth gray patina on the balance and minor pitting. Most of the cylinder scene remains. The grips are excellent with minimal handling marks and high attractive color and grain. Mechanically excellent. A rare double cased set of Colt Richards-Mason Model 1860 Army Revolvers missing from even the most advanced collections.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
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