GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
RARE CASED DELUXE GUSTAVE YOUNG ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1851 POCKET PERCUSSION REVOLVER. Colt POCKET 91163 .31 Cal. 31. Blue and color case hardened with desirable 6" oct bbl, dovetailed front sight with German silver blade and hand engraved "Saml Colt" address. Left side of frame is engraved "COLTS PATENT" in a pillow-shape. Cyl is unfluted with 5-chambers and hand enhanced stage-coach hold-up scene roll marking with 3 of the 5 safety pins serviceable. The small guard. silver plated brass trigger guard and backstrap contain a varnished 1-pc burl walnut grip with backstrap channel obscured by dark stains. This revolver has received Mr. Young''s most elaborate and deluxe treatments with full coverage entwined foliate arabesque patterns that have pearled background and great detail. One scroll on the left side terminates in an elaborate flower blossom with another flower blossom on the right side and an elaborate leaf pattern on the left recoil shield. Matching engraving extends over the bbl lug and top side flats of the bbl with a dog''s head incorporated in a scroll on each side. Matching patterns are also applied to the rammer pivot and ends of the wedge are engraved. All screw-heads are also engraved. Top of the backstrap is engraved in Mr. Young''s typical fan pattern with very delicate sunburst patterns on the shoulders and foliate arabesque patterns on the backstrap, buttstrap and trigger guard. All of the SNs on bottom of revolver are accompanied by a small punch dot which indicated to workmen to provide extra polish for engraving. Accompanied by a very rare blue velvet lined, fluted lid mahogany casing with the rare contoured divider in the bottom. The compartments contain a single-sided "COLTS PATENT" eagle & stars flask, a brass "COLTS PATENT" bullet & ball mold without sprue cutter, a packet of 6 combustible cartridges and a lacquered tin of Eley''s caps with green label. Although there were over 330,000 of these revolvers produced 1850-1873, only a small percentage were engraved and few were cased. Of those numbers, extremely few received the deluxe treatment as found here. These revolvers were manufactured at the time of the great Westward Expansion of Manifest Destiny where they saw hard and continuous service on the American frontier then throughout the Civil War remaining in service well into the 1970''s. Few are found today with high orig finish. PROVENANCE: Michael Simens; The Esteemed Collection of Steve Ardia. CONDITION: Fine, all matching including rammer, wedge, cyl and grip. Bbl retains about 75% orig blue with the loss areas flaked, not worn to a medium patina and showing light edge wear. Rammer handle retains faded case colors. Frame retains traces of case colors in sheltered areas being a smooth, even grey patina. Hammer is matching patina. Cyl is a light brown patina with fine pitting on the rear shoulder. Trigger guard and backstrap retain virtually all of their orig silver plate, a little thin on the buttstrap and heel. Grip is sound showing moderate edge wear with a few light nicks & dings and retains 90-92% orig varnish. Mechanics are fine. Strong bright bore with fine pitting. Case has two or three grain checks in the bottom and a loose end in the lid, otherwise is sound with usual handling & storage nicks & scratches and retains most of its orig varnish. Interior retains strong bright color with moderate to heavy soiling in the bottom. Flask is a dark patina with a couple of small dents. Mold is fine with a couple of light nicks. Cartridge packet and cap tin are also fine. 49631-5 JR22 (12,500-17,500)