GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
CASED PAIR OF GUSTAVE YOUNG ENGRAVED & INSCRIBED COLT MODEL 1849 POCKET REVOLVERS WITH IVORY GRIPS "WILLIAM H LENT", 7TH NEW YORK NATIONAL GUARD.COLT1849141531/14158331IVORYCal 31, SN 141531 & 141583. This beautiful pair of cased pistols made in 1858 is the same style casing seen on the well known General McPherson Colts and the cased pair sold on these floors as Lot 2150, March 2016 with nearly identical two-tone French fitted velvet lined case. William Humbert Lent (1837-1902) was from a very prominent New York family and a member of 7th New York National Guard when he received these pistols. He later served in this unit during the Civil War. A short bio found on Lent Family Genealogy site: "WILLIAM HUMBERT LENT, born in New York City, October 8, 1837, was the son of John A. (46) and Susan Lent. He was a veteran of the War of the Rebellion; also a member of the Seventh Regiment, N. Y. S. N. G. (Seventh Company), New York City, and Lafayette Post, 140, G. A. R. He was a graduate of the University of New York. He died at the home of his sister, Mrs. Cordelia Farley, No. 134 East iiith Street, New York City, July 2, 1902. He was buried in the Lent family plot at Rural Cemetery, Poughkeepsie, N.Y." Identical pair of revolvers with 6" oct bbls, the top flats engraved "Saml. Colt". The balance of the revolvers are engraved in Gustav Young #3 style consisting of beautifully detailed, intertwined foliate arabesque patterns over about half the bbls, rammer pivots, frames, backstraps, butts and trigger guards. The side edges of the trigger guards have extra wavy border patterns. The body of the engraving has Young's trademark blossom patterns and his famous wolf's heads on each side of the hammer noses, along with his well-known elliptical panel on the left sides of the receivers engraved in an arc "Colt's Patent". Both revolvers are fitted with beautiful smooth ivory grips with the left sides engraved "Wm. H. Lent.", and the right sides, "7th Co 7th Regt. N.G". They have five-shot unfluted cylinders with stagecoach holdup scenes. This pair is cased as noted in French fitted, two-tone burgundy and green velvet lined, brass bound mahogany case. It has compartments for the revolvers, a fine dbl-sided "E Pluribus Unum" American eagle flask with crossed revolvers, a brass two-cavity "Colt's Patent" mold, an L-shaped nipple wrench/screw driver and a small tin of Eley Bros. caps. Upper right and lower left have fitted compartments for other accessories each with small turned ivory finials. The case has brass-bound corners on the lid and a blank medallion in the center. It is made of very nicely grained rosewood and is 14" long x 9-1/4" wide x 2-3/8" deep. This is a beautiful pair of pistols that were well cared for, retaining most of their orig finish with beautiful ivory patina in an extremely rare French fitted rosewood case. PROVENANCE: William Humbert Lent, 1858; Ex-Pete Holder Collection (Ex-lead guitarist for The Tornados); Ex-Alain Fontanili Collection; Ex-Chris Hamilton Collection; Ex-Derek Palons Collection. CONDITION: Both revolvers are extremely fine, orig and matching including grips with last four numbers inked in backstrap channel with matching Roman numeral assembly marks on grips and grip frame. Every screw is also engraved and all are quite crisp. SN 141583 retains over 98% brilliant glossy blue on the bbl with a few light scratches and light muzzle edge wear. Numerous small hammer marks around the wedge slot on right side that actually blend into the engraving (see photos). Loading arm pivot, hammer and frame retain much of their muted case colors with an overall dark silver/grey patina. Cylinder retains 60-70% bright orig blue with balance plum/blue, stagecoach holdup scene is virtually all intact and easily discerned with a few light nicks on cylinder face, one crisp safety pin; the other four are partial or smashed. Trigger guard retains virtually all its orig silver plate. Backstrap retains about 75% strong orig silver overall. "Certifiable antique elephant ivory" grips are sound, well fit with easily discerned inscriptions, light ivory patina. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. SN 141531 retains 90% orig blue with a few scattered spots of light staining and pinprick pitting. Frame, loading arm and hammer retain much of their orig muted case colors, a bit lighter than SN 141583. Cylinder retains strong traces of orig blue with balance plum/grey, retaining four partial safety pins and crisp, well discerned cylinder scene, light pitting around nipples. Grip frame retains about 80-90% orig silver plating. "Certifiable antique ivory" grips are sound, solid and well fit with darker ivory patina with several dark hair-lines in grain, especially on left side. Mechanics are crisp. Strong bright bore with scattered light pitting. Accessories are fine. Case has a crack in the lid and exhibits some shrinkage away from bottom right and upper left brass corners, otherwise is sound and retains generous amounts of orig varnish. Both top and lower lock faces are replaced and lock mechanism is removed; lock escutcheon, however is orig. Lid lining is bright with a minor wear spot. Bottom lining is slightly faded and soiled. 50683-1 JS (40,000-60,000)