GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
EXTREMELY RARE ENGRAVED COLT FIRST MODEL 1851 NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER. COLT 1851 NAVY 620 36 CAL Cal. 36. Usual configuration with 7-1/2" bbl, crowned muzzle, front blade sight, top of bbl marked "Address SamL. Colt New York", 6-shot replacement cylinder marked with SN "30942". The wedge screw on first model Navies is under the wedge and the square back silver-plated brass trigger guard and backstrap with a varnished 1-pc walnut grip. Cylinder with normal Ormsby Naval battle scene. Hammer is nicely engraved with a somewhat obliterated dogs head on each side of the nose and has long ears each side towards spur. Bbl and loading lever are nicely engraved in early vine style as is frame and recoil shield. Front strap inscribed of the period "J.P. Steptoe VA". Trigger guard nicely scroll engraved and with bundled wheat sheaf pattern on bow. Backstrap and butt also engraved in vine pattern. PROVENANCE: The Estate of G. W. "Bill" Stewart of Sonora, Texas. CONDITION: Good. All matching except cylinder as noted above. No orig finish remains on metal parts, being a smooth lightly cleaned gray finish throughout with light to moderate wear and handling marks. Left side of frame near grips with unusual divot likely from an in-service hit the gun may have take, Grips are good but slightly undersized at butt and toe and appear to retain most of a period re-varnish. There is a trace or two of orig silver near trigger guard bow, approximately 30% orig cylinder scene is present. Cylinder is very good with one deeper scratch running horizontally. Mechanics are good, bore is fair. A very rare gun worthy of additional research with inscription. 49973-129 JSL80 (4,500-6,500)