October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/22/2019
Nothing short of spectacular, this ’51 Navy is of the finest of Colt Revolvers that we have had the opportunity to examine. It has the standard 7 - 1/2 octagonal barrel, brass pin front sight and one line New York City address with dashes. Left side of frame has “COLTS PATENT” engraved in Mr. Young’s typical pillow shaped panel. It has an extremely rare iron trigger guard, backstrap with large guard and deluxe burl one piece walnut grip. Only a handful of engraved Navy examples with iron backstrap and triggerguard are known to exist, and none in such near-new condition. The frame, hammer, barrel lug, rammer pivot, backstrap, buttstrap, and trigger guard are wonderfully engraved by Gustav Young with his inimitable style of foliate arabesque patterns and a very fine punch dot background. On the left side of the barrel lug Mr. Young has incorporated a very well detailed dog’s head. Several of his fine loops terminate in his trademark flower blossoms, especially on the right side. Both left and right sides of the barrel lug have his flower blossoms sprouting foliate arabesque patterns with spider web panels on the right side of the barrel lug and both sides of the backstrap ears. Top of back strap has Mr. Young’s trademark fan with arabesque patterns at the top and heel, on the buttstrap and trigger bow. Screwheads are all deluxe engraved. Accompanied by an exceptional rosewood presentation case in outstanding condition with a scalloped corner brass plaque in the lid engraved in period script “Wm H. Leach / Boston”. No research was accomplished on this wonderful revolver prior to listing. Case is lined in burgundy velvet and compartmented in the bottom for the revolver, a spectacular single sided angle spout “COLTS PATENT” Navy flask, a “COLTS PATENT” iron two cavity bullet mold with sprue cutter and marked on right side “36B”. There is also an L-shaped nipple wrench, a packet of combustible cartridges and an original, paper covered sealed tin of Eley caps. Additionally accompanying, as Mr. Colt was want to do with his special presentations, is a spare hammer spring and six spare nipples which are in the right rear corner compartment along with lead bullets & balls and a working key. CONDITION: Exceptional and in nearly unfired condition showing very little use. The barrel and cylinder retain most all of their original blue in the bore and chambers. Serial numbers are all matching. Barrel retains about 95%+ bright, dense, glossy blue that shows only the slightest thinning and its edges show little to no wear from actual use. Rammer handle & pivot retain smoky case color, stronger on the pivot. Frame retains about all of its dark early case colors with bright colors on the hammer. Cylinder retains about 70-75% flaked original blue that is missing from age and not wear, with five of the safety pins prominent and the sixth partially battered. Diameter of the cylinder retains all of its original Ormsby Naval battle scene. Trigger guard retains most of its blackening and flaking original silver plating and the backstrap and buttstrap with generous traces of silver plating with the exposed areas a gray-brown patina. Grip is excellent with sharp edges and showing little wear with a few slight scratches and nicks in the varnish and retains most of its original bright factory varnish. Mechanics are crisp and as new, bright shiny bore with slightest scattered corrosion near breech if any. Case is equally excellent with three or four fine grain cracks in the lid and one in the bottom with usual light handling & storage scratches and retains about all of its original varnish. Interior is very slightly faded with a few spots of stain and wear from the cylinder edge of the grip and front sight with the lightest of soil in the compartments. Flask is exceptional, retaining virtually all its strong original laquer finish with one very small dent on back side. Mold is equally new with a few light scratches. Cartridge pack & cap tin are also new and unopened. Nipple wrench has crisp blue. Altogether one of the finest Colt Navy Revolvers ever to be offered at public sale, an exceptional complete set that comes along only once in a lifetime. TDW
Accessories
Case, percussion caps, powder flask and lead bullets