May 8-10, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/8/2024
Walter Hunt first patented the Rocket Ball cartridge in 1848, filling the hollow base of a Minnie ball with propellant and a cap, which would go on to be utilized in Jennings and Volcanic repeating arms. Around the same time, this same style of self contained ammunition was also developed independently by several European inventors, allowing Victor Colette to develop an interesting, rather high capacity, repeating pistol around 1852. His pistol relied on gravity rather than spring tension to push the cartridges into the chamber from an above-barrel magazine. This holster sized example features an octagon barrel marked on the underside with Colette's "VC" initials. Frame is engraved in traditional Belgian fashion with some checkered panels, florals, and open foliate scrolls, very possibly by retailer Jongen Freres, as is engraved on the underside of the frame. Pistol sports fluted walnut grips with a faceted steel grip cap. CONDITION: Very good. Barrel blue has largely faded to a brown/gray patina. Frame exhibits a cleaned silvery patina with some freckling. Grips have been sanded and reoiled, some impressions still present. Bore retains strong, fine rifling with some oxidation spots. Crisp mechanics. A very interesting early cartridge arm that represents an important step in the development of modern repeating arms.
Model
Colette Gravity Pistol