October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
Two identical revolvers with octagon barrels, brass pin front sights and two line New York City addresses, one with dashes and one with serifs. Both have five shot cylinders with rolled stagecoach holdup scenes and have “COLTS PATENT” on left sides of frames. Both have silver plated brass trigger guards and back straps with varnished one piece walnut grips. This fine set of revolvers is accompanied by an extremely rare purple velvet lined Colt mahogany double casing with early style fluted or beveled lid with mortised brass lock and shield shaped escutcheon. Interior is compartmented for the two revolvers, a double sided E Pluribus Unum eagle flask, a blued “COLT’S PATENT” two cavity bullet mold with sprue cutter, marked on right side “31 PKT”, an L-shaped nipple wrench, two packets of combustible cartridges and a sealed, lacquered tin of Eley Bros. caps. Left front compartment has cast lead bullets and balls. While the 1849 Pocket Model was Colt’s most prolific percussion revolver, and they are occasionally found with high condition, sometimes even cased, a double casing is one of the ultimate rarities. PROVENANCE: Formerly in the collections of: Wm Locke; James Ellwood Jones; Leon “Red” Jackson; Dr. Robert A. Bettis; Jason Roselius. CONDITION: (A) Serial number 72263. Extremely fine, all matching except wedge which is numbered “3047” and also has had the last four digits of this serial number added. Barrel retains about 98% strong original factory blue with only faint sharp edge wear and very slight muzzle edge wear only on each side flat. Rammer and handle retain most of their original case colors, brilliant on the pivot. Frame and hammer retain brilliant case colors on the sides with top edge of hammer moderately faded. Cylinder retains about 95% strong original blue with some light flaking and light front edge wear, with all five safety pins crisp. Trigger guard and backstrap retain virtually all of their factory original silver plating with some minor roughness on front strap. Grip is crisp with only a couple of minor nicks and retains about 99% strong original factory varnish. Crisp mechanics, brilliant shiny bore, may be unfired. Case has a small repair in the lid with minor storage and handling marks and retains about all of an old wiped on finish. Interior is crisp and clean showing little or no wear. Flask, mold and nipple wrench are extremely fine plus, retaining virtually all of their orig factory finish. Cap box and cartridge packets are equally new. (B) Serial number 18621. Fine to very fine, all matching except rammer handle which is numbered “8764”. Barrel retains about 90% strong original blue with muzzle and sharp edge wear. Rammer and handle retain dark case colors, stronger on the pivot. Frame retains dark case colors on left side with faded smoky colors on right side, with gray recoil shields. Cylinder retains 20-25% thin original blue with balance a blue-grey patina and overall retains 96-98% stagecoach holdup scene, with three of the five safety pins prominent. Trigger guard and backstrap retain virtually all of their original silver plating. Grip is sound with minor nicks and scratches and retains about all of its original factory varnish. Mechanics are fine, strong bright bore with fine pitting about mid-point. From the collection of Jason Roselius.
Accessories
Wooden case, powder flask, bullet mold, tool, caps & cartridges
Caliber/Bore
.31 Percussion
Serial Number
(A) 72263 (B) 18621