June 25-28, 2018 Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/25/2018
In the book "'51 Colt Navies" by Nathan Swayze, page 55, he calls the two known round barrel 1851s the "rarest of the rare" and give serial numbers 174071 and 186021 as the two known. In addition between serial number 165000 and 171000 we have the thick loading lever catch, as found on this revolver. Full or partial matching serial numbers can be found on barrel, frame, trigger guard, backstrap, cylinder and wedge. The round barrel has only a partial address readable "RICA" in line (America). Sub-inspector "M" on left front trigger bow. "2" stamped on bottom of grip strap. Revolver has the Colt blue and Colt rifling. It is interesting to note that while the serial number font on barrel and wedge is of the exact same style as the other serial numbers, these two parts numbers are approximately 1/3 smaller in size. The wedge and barrel numbers are identical to each other. Percussion shield has the cap cut-out. Naval scene is perfect and the cylinder retains 98% of the original Colt high polish blue finish. Case colors on frame and loading lever remain at 90%, some brilliant. Barrel retains approximately 95% Colt blue with some age freckling, thinning at muzzle. Loading lever screw and forward barrel screw heads have a purplish finish while the wedge screw and frame screw have the more Nitre blue finish. Features large brass trigger guard, brass backstrap, one piece varnished walnut original grips that are near mint and fit flush. Muzzle is in the white. Trigger has most of its Nitre blue finish. Indexes and locks up like new with original nipples and near perfect safety pins, showing no signs of having been fired. Near mint bore. This revolver has been examined by several members of our division and is deemed to be 100% correct as manufactured by Colt. A rare example of an 1851 Navy prototype that few have ever seen. From the Jim Linton Collection. CORRECTION: This is a very well known and famous 1851 Navy. Pictured in full color in Sutherland and Wilson "The Book of Colt Firearms", page 120. It was formerly in the renowned Robert E. Petersen Collection.
Caliber/Bore
.36 Percussion