GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
RARE ROSEWOOD CASED GUSTAVE YOUNG ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER. COLT 51 NAVY 91858 .36 IVORY Cal. 36. Incredible 1851 Navy, blue and color case colored with 7-1/2" oct bbl, dovetailed front sight and 1-line Hartford address. Left side of frame is engraved "COLT''S PATENT" in a pillow-shape. Cyl is unfluted with Ormsby Naval battle scene roll marking and all 6 safety pins crisp and serviceable. The silver plated brass trigger guard & backstrap contain a smooth 1-pc "certifiable antique elephant ivory" grip that has last four digits of matching SN in backstrap channel. Grip is constructed of two slabs of ivory attached to an ivory spacer. Revolver is beautifully engraved by master engraver Gustave Young with his deluxe full coverage on the frame which consists of fine foliate arabesque patterns with pearled background. Several scrolls terminate in flower blossoms. Matching engraving extends over the bbl lug and top three flats of the bbl. The major scroll around the wedge on the left side terminates in a serpent. Rammer pivot is engraved to match and ends of the wedge are also engraved. Hammer is deluxe engraved with a wolf''s head on each side of the nose and fish scale patterns on top edge and sides of spur. Top of the backstrap is engraved with Mr. Young''s typical fan pattern with foliate arabesque patterns down the backstrap, on the buttstrap & trigger bow. Accompanied by an incredible, orig, brass bound rosewood Colt casing that has gold-washed appointments with an empty rectangular plate in the lid and matching lock escutcheon. Interior is burgundy velvet lined and compartmented in the bottom for the revolver, a double-sided trophy of arms & flask, eagle & shield with stars flask that has angled spout, a brass "COLTS PATENT" bullet & ball mold with bright steel sprue cutter, a paper wrapped tin of Eley''s caps, a packet of Colt''s Cartridge Work''s combustible cartridges and an L-shaped nipple wrench. Accompanied by a 3-pg letter from renowned author & Colt historian, R.L. Wilson which corroborates this information. This revolver was produced in about 1859, obviously for someone of considerable wealth or as a presentation to someone of great importance, or possibly a reward for an act of valor. There were approximately 215,000 Models 1851 produced 1850-1873. From their introduction until well into the 1870''s, these revolvers were extremely popular and usually saw very hard service on the American frontier and literally around the world with such notable figures Wild Bill Hickock and many others from both sides of the law. Only a small percentage were engraved and incredibly few were fitted with the ivory grip and spectacular casing. Few of those survive today. PROVENANCE: Jim Epplen Collection; The Esteemed Collection of Steve Ardia. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching including rammer, wedge, cyl and grip. Bbl retains about 75% glossy orig blue with the loss areas flaked, not worn to a dark patina, showing only light sharp edge wear. Rammer pivot retains strong case colors with the handle lightly cleaned in the center. Frame retains virtually all of its orig case colors, strong and bright on the right side, moderately faded on the left. Hammer shows faded case colors with fine pitting on the hammer nose. Cyl retains about 40% thinning orig blue with the balance flaked to a medium patina and shows about 95% Naval battle scene roll marking. Trigger guard retains about 60% strong orig silver, thin on front strap and buttstrap. Backstrap retains most of its orig silver. Grip is sound with a few age lines and shows a wonderful, mellow ivory patina. Mechanics are crisp. Bright shiny bore with a few scattered spots of light pitting. Case has a couple of grain checks in the bottom with most of its oil cloth bottom covering intact, otherwise is sound and retains virtually all of its orig varnish. Brass appointments retain strong gold-wash. Interior is strong and bright with only light wear from revolver contact in the bottom. Flask retains about 97-98% bright orig finish on the body with traces of gold-wash on the collar and spout. Mold is crisp and clean with some minor dings on the sides. Cap tin is open with slight losses and faded label. Cartridge packet and nipple wrench are fine. 49631-16 JR18 (60,000-80,000)