GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
VERY RARE CASED PAIR COLT ENGRAVED LONDON MODEL 1851 NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVERS.PR COLT1851 NAVY28318/2832436Cal. 36. This pair of guns were made in 1855 in the standard configuration with 7-1/2" oct bbls marked "ADDRESS.COL.COLT, LONDON" with long dashes. Typical English powder proofs are found on bbl housing and each cylinder chamber. Guns are profusely engraved in full coverage with typical English scrolls and floral design including rarely seen coverage on first 2" of muzzles and full length of loading arm and pivot. The fine silver plated trigger guard and backstrap contain a beautiful pair of varnished burl grips. This is a beautiful pair of guns in an orig English oak Colt case fitted for two revolvers, rare "COLTS NAVY FLASK" marked Dixon bag flask. Two L-shaped gun tools and an iron "COLTS PATENT", 2-cavity bullet mold with sprue cutter and a paper wrapped orig tin of Eley percussion caps. One fitted compartment contains a couple internal gun parts and a frame screw. A functional case key and several loose bullets are also contained in case. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Guns appear all matching including wedges which contain only last 2 numbers of SN. Stocks were not removed but they are so well fit, retaining most of their orig varnish with only edge wear, they appear orig to these guns. Guns are crisp and grey/white overall with old cleaning to metal and small areas of pinprick pitting especially seen on muzzles and cylinders. Markings are all well discerned and crisp though engraving thin on extremities of bbl. Cylinders retain 60-70% of their naval fight cylinder scenes. Guns have clean, smooth bright bores. Neither gun will index and the two hands found in compartment apparently removed from these guns a long time ago and not replaced, one hand is missing its spring found in compartment. Backstraps and trigger guards retain about 90% orig silver plating with well discerned crisp engraving with slightly less finish on 28324 on inside of grip showing this gun used slightly more than the other. Accompanying Colt English oak casing is brass bound with a folding handle in top of case and a typical round presentation plaque that is blank. Green baise lining is replaced in lid (or at least trimmed as color seems to match the wear and color to lining in bottom of case). Compartmentalized lining has light fading, soiling and wear and reductions where hammers and front sights have cut through. Accompanying flask is very fine retaining over 90% bright lacquer. Flask top has adjustable measurements from 4/8s to 6/8s dram. Mold and L-shaped tools retain much of their orig finish though dull. Cap tin is very fine and still retained in its blue sealed paper wrap with good labels. 49614-1 JS (10,000-15,000)