GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
RARE AND IMPORTANT COLT 3RD MODEL PERCUSSION NAVY PROTOTYPE REVOLVER. COLT 1851 NAVY REV 38958 36 CAL Cal. 36. This gun appears to be 100% original and authentic as made in 1854 with experimental loading arm and wedge not seen previously on Colt revolver. Loading arm which has last 2 digits of SN appears made from same bar stock as plunger, catch is mounted with solid oval beveled to fit bbl latch which is spring loaded like standard Colt with no chance of ears breaking like on standard catch. Wedge is "L" shaped and utilizes wedge screw to hold solid piece through slot with no spring needed, wedge is beveled nicely showing excellent craftsmanship and tooling though not numbered. This gun appears to have never been finished and iron appears to be in the white. Markings including bbl address and rolled cylinder scene are crisp and well defined. Gun shows little use with bore almost pristine and new. Very interesting gun and according to Nathan Swayze in his text 51 Colt Navy''s, there were several changes going on in this serial range including beveling. Loading notch in frame for ease of loading. Gun appears to be one experiment that did not catch on. This is a unique Colt variant we know of no other examples. PROVENANCE: The Estate of G. W. "Bill" Stewart of Sonora, Texas. CONDITION: Gun is very good to fine overall. All matching SNs including arbor and grips. Though as noted wedge has no number and loading arm has "58" stamped at base. Iron overall is clean and gray with areas of pitting, markings all crisp and discernible. Cylinder exhibits 90% visible rolled scene and all 6 safety pins are intact. Brass backstrap and trigger guard retain much of their original silver with most wear on backstrap which is mostly a light yellow mustard patina. Grips are sound and well fit, retaining over 90% their original bright factory varnish. Pistol is mechanically sound with crisp bright bore. 49973-133 JS (3,000-5,000)