Page 104 - Auction84-Book3

LOT 3143
Cased Civil War Era Colt Model 1849 Pocket Percussion
Revolver with British Proofs and Accessories - Serial no. 212743E, 31 cal., 5 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/ silver finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1863, this revolver has the “crown/V
and “crown/GP” British proof marks on the left side of the barrel and
on the cylinder. The top barrel flat is marked “ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA,” and an unreadable double stamped marking is on the left side of the frame. The cylinder is roll engraved with the stagecoach holdup scene and marked “COLTS PATENT/No 12743” in
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two panels. The complete serial number is marked on the barrel, frame, trigger guard and back strap, with the letter “E” above or below. The partial serial number “12743”
is marked on the wedge, and “2743” is on the loading lever. The barrel and cylinder are finished blue, the frame, loading lever and hammer casehardened, and the trigger guard and back strap are silver plated. Fitted with one piece varnished smooth walnut grips. Complete in a English oak case with a round brass escutcheon on the outside of the lid, five compartments and lined with green felt. The inside of the lid has the paper directions label. The case contains a steel cleaning rod with a steel handle, “L” shaped nipple wrench/screwdriver, two cavity iron bullet mold marked “COLT’S/PATENT”, an Eley Bros. 500 count cap tin, and a small bag shaped flask with a brown lacquer finished body and brass spout.
CONDITION: Excellent. The barrel retains 90% of the original finish with light scratches, some
minor flaking and high edge wear. The frame retains 80% of the bright case colors with the frame patent marking lightly struck (factory error). The cylinder retains 30% of the original finish scattered, mainly on the rear portion and in protected areas. The balance has a smooth gray patina. The scene is visible. The trigger guard and back strap retain strong original silver in the protected areas of the trigger guard bow and on the butt. The grips are very fine with 95% original varnish, some minor lower edge wear and a couple minor scrapes. The markings, unless noted above, are crisp and clear. The action is fine. The case is very fine with some scattered minor dings and handling marks. There is a piece of clear plastic in the lid to preserve the label which has a couple of small worn areas and is complete. The accessories are all very fine.
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 8,500 - 12,000
LOT 3144 Attractive Colt Model 1871-72 Open Top Revolver - Serial no. 1906, 44 RF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. Offered here is one of the finest professionally restored examples of a Colt Model 1871-72 Open Top Revolver we have had the pleasure of
cataloging. Highly prized by collectors for its limited production and significance as the first large frame Colt
revolver manufactured specifically for a metallic cartridge, the Model 1871-72 Open Top Revolver is the transition model between the Colt percussion revolvers and solid frame Single Action Army revolver. The production of the Open Top was made possible after the American government refused Rollin White’s request to extend his breech loading revolver patent in 1870. White’s patent was a drastic leap in the progression of firearms development as it allowed for a bored through revolver cylinder to be loaded with cartridges at the rear. Smith & Wesson held exclusive rights to the use of White’s
patent, and for every S&W manufactured revolver that used his bored through cylinder patent, White received a 25 cent royalty. White was responsible for defending his patent in court against other manufacturers who infringed upon his breech loading design, and his success in the courts paved the way for S&W to manufacture the first commercially successful revolver to use rimfire cartridges, the Model 1, with near impunity from competitors. S&W followed up the Model 1 with a series of tip-up revolvers
that dominated the rimfire market. The expiration of White’s patent signaled the end to S&W’s unyielding domination over the rimfire revolver market. Colt’s response was the Model 1871-72 revolver of which 7,000 were manufactured in 1872 and 1873 at a time when settlers pouring into the American West demanded powerful large caliber sidearms. Their heavy use on the Western frontier and limited production run has made the Model 1871-72 one of the most difficult Colt revolvers to find in any condition. The barrel has the distinctive blade and integral notch sights and “- ADDRESS COL SAML COLT NEW - YORK U.S. AMERICA-” professionally re-stamped on top. The left side of the frame is stamped with the two-line patent dates marking. The cylinder is roll engraved with the naval engagement scene. Matching full serial numbers are on the frame, barrel, trigger guard and back strap. The matching partial serial number “096” is on the cylinder. Fitted with a nicely figured and varnished walnut grip. CONDITION: Very fine as professionally restored, retaining 98% plus replated nickel finish. All of the cylinder scene remains. The refinished grips are also very fine with a few minor handling marks and retaining nearly all of the varnish. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500