October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
5" barrels, finely Gustave Young style factory engraved, original full gilt finish, ivory grips, cased in original French style deluxe rosewood casing with brass bound corners and inscription plaque in lid inscribed, "Juan Ro. Williams" as well as on powder flask and backstraps. Both guns features roll engraved stagecoach robbery cylinder scene that is 100% visible. Pistol #91999 remains in good to very good condition showing approx. Full or partial matching serial numbers on frame, barrel, trigger guard, backstrap, wedge, loading lever and cylinder pin. 35% rich gold gilt, the balance toned to a natural dark brown patina, with very good ivory grips that are slightly shy to metal. the quality of the engraving is excellent showing typical Gustave Young scrolls, dogs, beasts, cobwebs, flowers, hand-cut patent markings and "Samuel Colt" in script on barrel address; approx. 80%-90% darkening silver on backstrap, the inscription probably engraved by Young as it appears to be his hand. Pistol #92005 retains approx. 35% rich gold gilt gone to dark brown patina, engraved similarly to its mate with typical Young scrolls, Colt's Patent marking and barrel address in script, beasts, flowers, cobwebs, and typical high quality Young engraving and identical inscription as its mate; metal surfaces on the pistol are sharp, ivory grips are very good plus showing some yellowing and slight chips, and are slightly undersized; all matching visible serial numbers. The velvet lined interior is very good to nearly excellent with minor impressions, slight fraying and a slight amount of aging, but definitely original and just showing a minimal amount of natural age; it is interesting that the casing is made in such a way that it would accommodate either a 5" or 6" Pocket, but the wear pattern shows that this pair have always been in this box. The set is cased with an English style bag flask beautifully engraved en suite to the backstrap of the pistols and lid of the case (it all appears to be the same hand), and the flask shows traces of gold gilt that was polished (now a brass patina); brass Colt's patent marked bullet mold; box is drilled for a nipple wrench (now missing), otherwise complete. The exterior of the box is very good to nearly fine showing select quality rosewood, minor aging, slight checks, cracks, storage marks, etc., but is very good overall and nearly fine with a beautiful grain. It is apparent that the pistols were polished and the gold gilt was fragile, as the metal surfaces on the pistol and flask are very sharp, and the finish has just drifted off from cleaning. Juan Rebolledo Williams, born 1825, died 1910, was a prominent Chilean Naval officer and politician. Currently the only gold gilded and engraved pair of 1849's known to this cataloger.
Item Dimensions: 12-1/2x9-1/2x2-1/2
Accessories
Wooden case with accessories
Barrel Length
(A) 5", (B) 5"
Caliber/Bore
(A) .31, (B) .31
Serial Number
(A) 91999, (B) 92005