October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/22/2019
During the height of the American Civil War the Colt Manufacturing Co. suffered a serious tragedy. It started on February 4, 1864 when fire broke out destroying the Colt manufacturing plant in Hartford Connecticut. The devastating fire destroyed millions of dollars in inventory putting thousands of people out of work. The plant was only partially insured taking the next two years for Colt to go back into production. With the worst year of the Civil War ahead and the demand for revolvers remaining high, Colt's sudden departure left a big hole in the market for potential competitors to fill. To capitalize on the situation along came the Metropolitan Arms Company. The company located in New York took full advantage of Colt's missing product line by manufacturing near identical copies of the Colt Model 1851 Navy along with other Colt models. In a two year period from 1864-1866 Metropolitan produced approximately 6,000 copies of Colt's Model 1851 Navy. This example serial number 3289, has the typical 7-1/2 inch octagon barrel marked "Metropolitan Arms Co. New-York" on top flat. Chambered in .36 caliber, cylinder with roll die scene of the Battle of New Orleans. Blue with case hardened frame, loading lever, and hammer. Brass trigger guard and backstrap. One-piece varnished walnut grips. Matching serial numbers on all major parts. With exception of the cylinder roll die scene, it is a near identical copy of Colt's Model 1851 Navy. Walnut partition fitted case with correct unmarked bullet mold and powder flask. E. Remington marked percussion cap tin, and unmarked combination nipple wrench. CONDITION: Excellent overall with 90% plus original bright blue remaining on barrel and cylinder. Fading case color on the frame, loading lever, and hammer. Brass trigger guard and backstrap turning a mustard color patina. Grips are excellent plus, showing most all the original varnish and little wear. Case exterior shows minimum wear. Brass inlay plaque on lid,engraved with letters "G-E-E-A-H". Red interior is clean showing minimum wear. Overall a very clean high condition revolver. -MKS-