September 20, 2018 Colt Firearms Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/20/2018
This superb revolver is one of a very few percussion Colts featuring factory ebony grips and is in the same serial range as the similarly-decorated 1860 Army known as "Union and Liberty" said to have been presented, or belonged to, General Ulysses S. Grant, and a pair of ebony gripped Armies belonging to General Hawley, director of the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial. There is evidence that this unique group of ebony gripped Colt Armies were exhibited together by Hartley and Graham as pictured in the famous woodcut of their Civil War era exhibition board. Serial No. 151387 has most of its original bright blue original finish on the barrel and considerable bright blue with some fading on the cylinder. Scene is not sharp due to the high polish it received at the Colt factory prior to finishing but patent dates are perfect. Frame has much bright original case colors on both sides. Trigger guard has traces of silver, having drifted. Backstrap has smooth age patina with some bluing in protected areas. Ebony grips have all their original polish with all their original marks. Numbers match. Five crisp cylinder pins with one slightly damaged. Engraving is of a type known as the late vine scroll, similar to the Hawley and Union and Liberty. This beautiful revolver is cased in a vertical lid, brass bound mahogany case with lid escutcheon engraved "George W. Bruen Maj. A. D.C. 10th Army Corps." Lining is faded. Colt's patent flask has some original lacquer, only traces of gilding on spout and top. Colt's patent mold has much original finish. Eley's cap tin retains some of its paper. Exterior of case has much original varnish with one longitudinal age crack. One of four ebony griped 1860 Army Colts known to collectors; serial No. 151387 is one of the rarest and most desirable percussion Colts.
Accessories
Case, Bullet mold, Powder flask, Caps tin