GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
RARE ASSEMBLED CASED SET OF COLT MODEL 1862 POLICE PERCUSSION REVOLVERS. PR COLT 1862 POLICE 8130/29266 36 Cal. 36. Pistols are virtually identical, blue and color case hardened with 6-1/2" rnd bbls, brass pin front sights and 1-line New-York U.S. America address. Left side of frames are marked "COLTS PATENT" and left shoulders of trigger guards are marked "36 Cal". The silver plated brass trigger guards and backstraps contain 1-pc varnished walnut grips, matching numbered to their respective revolvers. Cyls are half fluted with 5-chambers and rebated area. Revolvers are accompanied by a burgundy velvet lined mahogany Colt-style casing that is compartmented in the bottom for the revolvers, a reproduction double-sided eagle & stars flask, a blued steel "COLT''S PATENT" bullet & ball mold with sprue cutter marked on the right side "36P", two paper wrapped tins of Eley''s caps with blue labels and a Dixon pewter oil bottle. About 28,000 of these fine revolvers were produced in the period 1861-1873. The earlier revolvers, made prior to 1865 were almost certainly used during the Civil War. They were an extremely popular revolver for their sleek appearance and larger caliber which was a more effective man stopper. After the war, they remained popular on the American frontier usually seeing hard service under adverse conditions and are rarely found today with high orig finish. Double casings such as found here are extremely rare. PROVENANCE: C.W. Slagle; The Esteemed Collection of Steve Ardia. CONDITION: Revolvers are virtually identical, all matching including wedge, cyl and grip. 1) SN 8130 very fine. Bbl retains about 60-65% glossy orig blue with the balance flaked, not worn, to a smooth dark patina. Rammer pivot and handle retain brilliant case colors. Frame and hammer retain virtually all of their orig bright case colors, lightly faded on the recoil shields and moderately faded on the top edge of hammer. Screws retain about all of their orig bue. Cyl retains about 70-75% strong orig blue, flaked over the chamber areas. Trigger guard and backstrap retain most of their strong orig silver, thin on the heel with some bubbling on the backstrap. Grip is sound showing very light edge wear and retains virtually all of its crisp orig varnish. Mechanics are fine, brilliant shiny bore. 2) SN 29266 very fine. Bbl retains 96-97% glossy orig blue with some light edge wear and a few fine handling marks. Rammer pivot and handle retain about all of their orig case colors, bright on the pivot turning a little dark on the handle. Frame retains 60-65% fading case colors, stronger on the left side. Hammer shows faded case colors turned dark on the top edge with some fine pitting around the nose. Cyl retains about 70-75% orig blue, turning a little plum, bright in the flutes. Screws retain most of their orig blue. Trigger guard and backstrap are a medium to dark mustard patina. Grip is sound showing light edge wear with a few nicks & dings and retains most of its orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, very bright shiny bore. Case has a repaired crack in the lid, otherwise is sound, missing the inscription plate in the lid and shows an old refinish on the lid. Interior is moderately to heavily faded with faint soil inside the lid and light soil in the bottom, partitions are solid. Flask appears new. Mold has light pitting on the sprue cutter and shows most of a restored finish. Cap tins are missing small areas of their paper wrappings with lightly soiled and stained labels. Pewter oil bottle is fine. 49631-27 JR27 (17,500-25,000)