GUN FALL 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2017
EXCEPTIONAL MARTIALLY MARKED COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY-ARMY PERCUSSION REVOLVER.COLT51 NAVY7915436Cal. 36. Blue and color case hardened with 7-1/2″ oct bbl, brass pin front sight and 1-line Hartford address. Left side of frame has a tiny "COLTS PATENT" over a tiny "U.S.". The brass, 3rd Model small guard trigger guard and backstrap contain 1-pc walnut grip with last four digits of matching SN in backstrap channel. Both sides of grip have sharp, legible cartouches with "JH" (James Harris) on left side and "WAT" (William A. Thornton) on right side. Most metal parts have small inspector initials. The Federal Government purchased approx. 35,000 '51 Navy revolvers of which about 15,050 went to the Navy leaving about 20,000 that were assigned to the Army, of which this revolver is one. This particular gun is near the end of the SN range of US Army purchased Colt Navies made in 1857. These revolvers were issued to front line troops and used throughout the Civil War and later on the American frontier, generally under harsh circumstances with little or no maintenance and are almost never found today in completely orig configuration with high orig finish. CONDITION: Extremely fine, all matching including wedge, cylinder and grip. Bbl retains over 95% orig strong military finish with only light muzzle and sharp edge wear. Rammer pivot retains bright case colors, fading to silver on the handle. Frame and hammer retain strong bright case colors fading on recoil shields with balance silver/grey. Cylinder retains 80% of thinning blue with balance a shiny plum/blue. Ormsby Naval battle scene is virtually all discernible with fine detail. Three safety pins are crisp and serviceable, the other are smashed. Chambers retain strong orig blue; trigger guard and backstrap are a medium mustard patina. Grips are sound and solid with moderate edge wear with small chip in left rear toe. Cartouches are strong and vivid. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with sharp rifling. 52324-1 JS (25,000-35,000)