GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
RARE ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER.COLT1851 NAVY9825836Cal. 36. Fourth model, blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2" oct bbl, scarce dovetailed front sight with German silver blade & 1-line Hartford address. Left side of frame is engraved "COLTS PATENT" in a pillow shape. Cyl is unfluted with Ormsby Naval Battle scene roll marking. The silver-plated large brass trigger guard & backstrap contain a very nicely figured varnished burl walnut 1-pc walnut grip that has last 4 digits of matching SN in backstrap channel. Revolver is very nicely engraved by Gustave Young with full coverage foliate arabesque patterns on the frame with a couple of scrolls terminating as flower blossoms. Deluxe engraving patterns extend over the bbl lug & top side flats of the bbl with a couple of scrolls terminating in flower blossoms & another with a most unusual Indian's head wearing a feather bonnet. Matching scrolls are also on the rammer pivot. Hammer is engraved with a wolf's head on each side of the nose, fish scales on the top edge & sides of hammer spur and matching foliate arabesque patterns on the shank. Top of the backstrap is engraved in Mr. Young's typical fan pattern with 1/4 blossoms on sides of the shoulders and foliate arabesque patterns on the backstrap, buttstrap & trigger guard. All of the SNs on bottom of the revolver are accompanied by a small punched dot which would signify to the factory workmen to add extra polish for engraving. Accompanied by a rare Colt Factory letter which identifies this revolver in Cal 36 with 7-/12" bbl, blue finish, wood stocks, factory engraved & shipped to the Colt New York office on February 11, 1861 in a 10-gun shipment. Given the time frame of this shipment it seems likely that this may have been a Civil War unit order or possibly for presentation to Civil War personnel by citizens of New York. Regardless this revolver was shipped to a major hub of Civil War supply activity and almost certainly would have seen service throughout the Civil War. Such arms are rarely found with high orig finish. Pg 139 of The Colt Engraving Book, Volume 1, and pg 87 of Colt Engraving, both by Wilson, pictures the left side of the bbl lug of this revolver, illustrating the Indian head motif. Although it is not identified by SN in the publication, there are identifying marks that certify that it is the same revolver. The pg 87 caption credits this revolver to the S.P. Stevens Collection. PROVENANCE: Ex-S.P. Stevens Collection. CONDITION: Fine, all matching including rammer, wedge, cyl & grip. Bbl retains about 70% glossy orig blue with the loss areas flaked, not worn to a medium/dark patina. Rammer & handle are cleaned to bright metal. Frame is grey metal patina & the hammer retains about 70% strong case colors, moderately faded on left side. Cyl retains about 20% orig blue with the balance a grey patina & shows about 80-85% Ormsby Naval battle scene roll marking. Trigger guard & backstrap retain most of their orig silver plating showing edge wear on the buttstrap & heel and some thinning on backstrap. Grip is sound showing light edge wear with a few light nicks & scratches and retains about 98% crisp orig varnish. Mechanics are fine. Strong bore with moderate pitting. 50142-9 JR106 (20,000-30,000)