November 3-4, 2017 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
After the end of the Civil War and before the advent of the Smith & Wesson American and the Colt Single Action Army, Colt, in the early 1870's began production of self-contained cartridge revolvers using surplus percussion parts with newly made ones. This is a fine example of a very scarce 1861 Navy conversion not military. The majority of the 1861 Navy conversions were issued to the United States Navy. This was a civilian market factory nickel plated with ivory grips. This extremely handsome revolver features nickel finish and two line patent address on frame. Ormsby roll-engraved Naval scene on cylinder, which is nearly 100%. Has all matching numbers. Cylinder was originally 299, but upon conversion at Colt factory was stamped '537'. Razor sharp legends. Overall 85% factory original nickel. Indexes properly. Strong, rifled bore. Sports a lovely pair of period ivory grips with no chips. Fine looking, homogeneous conversion. Even the cylinder retains 80% or better nickel. Comes in a period Civil War flap holster.