GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
EXTREMELY RARE CASED ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1861 NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER. COLT 1861 NAVY 28098 .36 Cal. 36. Blue and color case hardened with 7-1/2" rnd bbl, German silver front sight and 1-line New-York U.S. America address. Left side of frame is engraved "COLTS PATENT" and left rear web of trigger guard is marked "36 Cal". Cyl is unfluted with Ormsby Naval battle scene roll marking. The silver plated brass trigger guard and backstrap contain a fine burl walnut varnished 1-pc walnut grip that has last four digits of matching SN in backstrap channel. Revolver is very nicely engraved, probably by Gustave Young, in late vine style without background having about full coverage on the frame with two scrolls terminating in flower blossoms. Matching patterns extend over the bbl lug and around the address with a flower blossom above the wedge slot on the right side. Hammer is also deluxe engraved with a wolf''s head on each side of the nose, foliate arabesque patterns on the shank and fish scale patterns on the top edge and spur. Top of the backstrap is engraved with Mr. Young''s typical fan pattern with foliate arabesque patterns down the backstrap, on the buttstrap and trigger guard. All of the SNs on bottom of revolver are accompanied by a small "E" which signal to the factory workman to apply extra polish for engraving. Accompanied by an orig burgundy velvet lined, mahogany Colt casing that is compartmented in the bottom for the revolver, a single-sided "COLTS PATENT" trophy of arms & flags flask with angle spout, a blued steel "COLT''S PATENT" bullet & ball mold with sprue cutter marked on the right side "36B", a packet of Colt''s Cartridge Work''s combustible cartridges and a lacquered tin of Eley''s caps with green label. Only a little more than 38,000 of these fine revolvers were produced 1861-1873. The majority having been produced during the Civil War years saw hard service throughout the war and the entire production generally saw hard frontier service thereafter. This was considered Colt''s most beautiful percussion revolver and few remain today with high orig finish and extremely few are cased. PROVENANCE: The Esteemed Collection of Steve Ardia. CONDITION: Very fine plus, all matching including wedge, cyl and grip. Bbl retains about 95% orig blue, turned a little plum over the top with glossy bright blue elsewhere and light sharp edge wear. Frame and hammer retain virtually all of their orig, naturally muted case colors, turned a little dark on the hammer. Cyl retains about 75-80% blue/brown patina and shows about 95% Naval battle scene roll marking with light, scattered pinprick pitting. Trigger guard and backstrap retain silver in sheltered areas, being mostly a yellow brass patina. Grip is sound with a few small dings on the bottom edges and retains most of its slightly dulled orig finish. Mechanics are crisp. Very bright, shiny bore with a few scattered spots of pitting. Case is sound with usual handling & storage nicks &scratches and retains about 90% orig varnish. Interior is moderately faded with light to moderate soil inside the lid and moderate to heavy soil in the bottom with solid partitions. Flask retains 88-90% orig finish on the body with most of the losses on the back side. Collar and spout are a brass patina. Mold retains about 80% dull blue with crisp cavities. Cartridge packet and cap tin are fine. Altogether, a rare fine set. 49631-52 JR19 (40,000-60,000)