GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
RARE AND VERY FINE CASED ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1849 POCKET PERCUSSION REVOLVER.ColtPOCKET146961.31IVORYCal. 31. Blue and color case hardened with 4" oct bbl, "Saml Colt" engraved on top flat. Left side of frame has "COLT'S PATENT" engraved in two arc's. Cyl is unfluted with 5-chambers and stagecoach holdup scene roll marking. The brass trigger guard and backstrap contain a smooth 1-pc ivory grip. Revolver is engraved in Gustav Young's deluxe style with full coverage, foliate arabesque patterns with pearled background on the frame that has two scrolls terminating in flower blossom. Matching patterns extend over the bbl lug and top side flats of the bbl with a scroll on the left side terminating in Mr. Young's dog's head and two scrolls on the right side that terminate in flower blossoms. Matching patterns are also on the rammer pivot. Matching patterns are also on the backstrap, buttstrap and trigger guard with Mr. Young's typical fan pattern at the top and sunbursts on sides of the backstrap shoulders. Hammer is typically engraved with animal's head on each side of the nose, foliate arabesque patterns on the shank and fish scale patterns on the top edge & spur. Grip is constructed with two slabs of ivory attached to an ivory spacer. Accompanied by an orig purple velvet lined mahogany casing that has the rare contoured divider in the bottom and is compartmented for the revolver, a single-sided "COLTS PATENT" eagle & stars flask, a brass "COLTS PATENT" bullet & ball mold without sprue cutter, a packet of 6 Colt's Cartridge Work's combustible cartridges and a lacquered tin with paper label for Eley's caps. There were over 330,000 of these revolvers produced in the period 1850-1873, only a few of which were engraved and extremely few were cased.This revolver was built in 1858 just before the onset of the Civil War where it almost certainly would have seen service. These revolvers were very popular on the American frontier, even after the Civil War and literally around the world. They are rarely found today with high orig finish. PROVENANCE: Ex-Michael Simens. The Esteemed Collection of Steve Ardia. CONDITION: Fine to very fine, all matching including loading arm, wedge and cyl. Bbl retains strong traces of original blue finish with balance plum/blue. This gun is very crisp and sharp, though little original bright finish is found on iron. Frame, hammer and loading arm retain strong traces of bright and muted case colors with balance a dark silver patina. Cyl has tiny traces of thin blue in protected areas with balance mottled gray/plum and shows about 95% stagecoach holdup scene roll marking. Trigger guard and backstrap retain about all their original silver plating. "Certifiable antique elephant ivory" grip has one tiny chip on the rear left toe and shows good ivory patina. Mechanics are fine; strong bore with crisp rifling and good shine. Case is sound and solid retaining most of its original varnished finish. Interior is strong & bright inside the lid, lightly faded in the bottom with light to moderate soil. Flask is very fine retaining 80-90% of orig finish. Mold is very fine, good markings and few minor blemishes with yellow patina. Cartridge packet and cap tin are equally fine. Accompanying orig key is functional. 49631-6 JS (15,000-25,000)