October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
Undoubtedly the finest of its type extant. This spectacular revolver has 5" barrel, brass pin front sight, one line “New-York U.S. America” address with silver plated brass grip frame and large trigger guard with a wonderful one piece ivory grip. Revolver is high-polished blue and color case hardened and engraved in Gustave Young deluxe patterns consisting of full coverage on the frame and hammer, consisting of foliate arabesque patterns which extend over the barrel lug and barrel with full coverage on the rammer pivot. Hammer is deluxe engraved to match with a wolf head on each side of the hammer nose and deluxe foliate arabesque patterns down each side. Back strap, butt strap and trigger guard are engraved to match with Mr. Young’s typical fan pattern at the top of the back strap. Several of the scrolls on the frame terminate in flower blossoms. Left side of the frame is hand engraved with “COLTS PATENT” in a pillow shape with the caliber marking on the left rear web of the trigger guard. Trigger guard is of the large type and with its serial number indicating manufacture post-Civil War in 1867. This undoubtedly was intended as a presentation to someone of substantial importance. Accompanied by an extraordinarily rare red leather covered book casing with gold embossed embellishments and the spine titled “COLT’S / PIONEER / TO / CIVILIZATION / & / CHRISTIANITY”. The edges of the box, where pages would normally be, are covered in gold foil, most of which is missing on the top edge. This case is of such great rarity in and of itself because it has only a mortised brass lock in the front edge instead of the usual hasp. According to R.L. Wilson, noted Colt historian and author, this is the only known such book casing. Interior is blue velvet lined with recesses in the bottom for the revolver, a wonderful one sided “COLTS PATENT” flask with silver-plated collar, thumb pad and spout, a deluxe high-polished two cavity steel mold with “COLTS PATENT” sprue cutter, a lacquered tin of Eley’s caps and also includes a packet of combustible cartridges and an L-shaped short nipple wrench. Also accompanied by a four page letter from the above cited R.L. Wilson. This exact revolver is pictured on pp. XXVI and XXVII in full color in the book "The Colt Engraving Book Volume II", Wilson. This is undoubtedly one of the single finest engraved Colt 49 Pocket revolvers extant with equally fine accessories and the unbelievably rare spectacular book casing. PROVENANCE: Jason Roselius collection, Dr. Joseph A. Murphy Collection; Fred Sweeney Collection. CONDITION: Revolver appears to be new and unfired, all matching including wedge. Overall it retains virtually all of its deluxe Colt finish with glossy bright blue having only faint muzzle edge wear with some very slight thinning to the sharp edges and a light cylinder drag line. Frame, hammer and rammer retain virtually all of their brilliant case colors, slightly thinned on right side of frame. Grip frame retains about 50% original silver plating, mostly around trigger guard with balance a medium mustard patina. Grip has sharp crisp edges with one or two small handling and storage nicks and retains a wonderful mellow ivory patina. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. Accessories are equally new. Case with its missing gold foil on top edge is otherwise very fine with light soil and a small stain or two on exterior. Lightly faded in interior bottom. This represents a once in a lifetime opportunity to own the finest of its type. TDW
Accessories
Book Case, bullet mold, powder flask, caps tin, box of ammo, tool, tag
Caliber/Bore
.31 Percussion