April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/25/2019
Considered a late Third Model. Features octagon barrel, six shot, single action, small brass trigger guard, and brass backstrap. Factory inspector stamps on gun include "A" on cylinder and backstrap, "L" on trigger guard, "M" on trigger guard. Left grip has inspector stamp "LCA" for Lucius C. Allen, brother of Erskin Allen. Right grip bears inspection stamp of "WAT" for William Thorten. Extremely scarce inspector stamps, very few known. Has matching numbers on frame, barrel, trigger guard, backstrap, cylinder, cylinder shaft, and wedge. Left side of frame has "COLTS PATENT US". New York barrel address. Cylinder has very fine naval battle scene. Between July of 1857 and June 1858, the largest quantities of pistols were procured by the Ordnance Department; 70,000 to 81,000 were shipped in 1859. 1859 shipments have "WAT" on right grip and "LCA" on left grip. CONDITION: Muzzle is slightly rounded from being in holster for years. 98% scene on cylinder; all original nipples. All legends are sharp. All metal is rich brown patina. Brass has not been cleaned. Indexes and locks up perfectly. Strong rifling with light black powder abrasions. Comes with two treatises written by Colonel Robert D. Whittington III, Ordnance Corps, United States Army on US Army Procurements for guns in this serial range.
Caliber/Bore
.36 Percussion
Paperwork
Two printed copies of books by Whittington