October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
This is an early fourth model with the small iron round trigger guard and iron backstrap. The U.S. made Colt 1851 Navies that were fitted with iron trigger guards and backstraps differ from other fourth model Navies. Proper enlarged lug cutout on the right side of barrel. A similar revolver can be seen on page 81 of the book "Colt 1851 and 1861 Navies and Conversions," by Jordan and Geri. The author states "Because of the differences, I feel that iron tg models should not be classified as third or fourth models. They deserve a classification of their own, I have seperated them into U.S. made Navies with 'si' (small iron) and 'li' (large iron) trigger guards. This chapter will only deal with the small iron tg (trigger guard)." This falls into the batch of numbers listed in this book 78500 to 80200. The address on this barrel is the early Hartford address which started around serial number 74628, which is cut for a third model stock. The front sight is the rare factory one piece dovetail, generally found in the 74000-79000 range. Third model stocks were used in the 72000-80000 range. The frame is not stamped U.S., rather there are military inspector stamps. There is an "M" on the left rear trigger guard. There is a number "2" on the left barrel flat for shoulder stock. In addition, a lanyard ring is fitted to the trigger guard between serial number and guard. Gun sports the standard 1 piece varnished walnut grips. This revolver has the standard 7 - 1/2" full octagon barrel. The cylinder has the typical roll engraved naval battle scene. You will find full or partial matching serial numbers on the following: frame, trigger guard, backstrap, cylinder, cylinder pin, loading lever, barrel, and wedge. Cylinder has all the original nipples, safety pins are flush, naval battle scene is completely visible. Cylinder has turned a grey-brown patina. Barrel has the Hartford address and is basically a soft homogeneous patina with sharp legends and edges, even the forcing cone has some original blue and there is ample bluing on the base of the barrel. While outwardly the loading lever is brown patina, there is some bright case colors on the protected underneath area. The frame is cut for shoulder stock with the two factory extension pins and there are bright case colors where the shoulder attachment protected them, as well as on the right shield cutout. The straps are basically a chocolate brown patina. Revolver indexes and locks up like new. The bore is exceedingly clean with sharp lands and clean grooves. The one piece walnut grips are excellent, perfectly fitted, with wear on both top sides from shoulder stock attachment.
The accompanying stock is one of the rarest of all accessories. Most collectors have never even seen one. It is original canteen stock and still has the original small brass chain attached to the removable lid of the canteen which rests inside the buttstock. The wrist attachment and buttplate are both made of brass. The serial number on lower tang and upper buttplate is 79451. When removing the clamp bar, you will see the matching serial number 79451. There are two sling swivels, one attached to the lower tang, and one attached to a special plate on the stock. The screws retain generous amounts of their original high polish blue finish. The locking lug is made of steel. The stock itself is in excellent condition, proud to metal, with usual dings but complete. Serial number of the stock is a mere five numbers off the gun. There is an entire chapter devoted to Navies with stocks (19) beginning on page 229 which shows three canteen stocks. Figure 19-4 is a third model canteen stock. Figures 19-2 and 19-3 show the sling swivel attachment on the handgun itself. The first and second model canteen stocks show two slings on the stock, while the third model pictures has only the rear sling. Colt developed and marketed the canteen stock in 1858. The authors state "Almost all stock navies have iron trigger guards and backstraps." (Page 230). The book lists the serial number ranges for shoulder stock Navies 71900-80500, stating most in the 78000 block have canteen stocks. Between serial numbers 79000-80000, Colt lists 25 shipped with canteen stocks. On page 235 they state with regards to lanyards on navies with third model stocks, almost all have a lanyard on the trigger guard and most stocks have two lanyards. The canteen Colt stock is one of the legendary attachments ever produced by that firm. While numbers do not match, they are close enough to have been sent in a lot of canteen stock guns. Given that of the 1000 revolvers, Colt only listed only 25 canteen stocks, and the survival rate of keeping them with the revolver in the time period, pre-Civil War, makes them extremely scarce and desirable. This is a great example of a Canteen Stock Martial 1851 Navy and the mythical canteen stock.
Caliber/Bore
.36 Percussion