September 15, 16, & 17, 2026 Firearms & Militaria
Lot #1305:
(A) ENGRAVED COLT 1861 NAVY CONVERSION SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER WITH CASE.
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/15/2026
Stunning Colt Model 1861 Navy Cartridge conversion revolver. Nickel & gold finish with 7 - 1/2" round barrel, German silver front sight and New-York U.S. America address. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates which is apparently rolled over the original “COLTS PATENT” and partially obscures “U.S”. This is apparently one of the 1,000 revolvers returned by the U.S. Navy for conversion and was later engraved. The steel trigger guard and backstrap contain an early style, fully checkered, one piece ivory grip. Grip is constructed in the original manner with two slabs of ivory attached to two ivory spacer blocks creating a 1-piece grip. Serial numbers found on barrel lug, frame & trigger guard are accompanied by a small “E” which indicates it was to receive extra polish for engraving. Revolver is beautifully engraved in New York style from the L.D. Nimschke shop with about full coverage on the frame, loading gate & conversion ring, consisting of well-executed foliate arabesque patterns with fine pearled background. Matching patterns extend over most of the barrel and around the muzzle. Ejector housing is engraved in a spiral pattern. Hammer is engraved with a wolf’s head on each side of the nose, foliate arabesque patterns on the shank and fish scale patterns on the top edge and sides of the spur. The spur tip has been hand checkered. Top of the back strap is engraved in a spider web panel with “V” center. It has geometric patterns at the heel with foliate arabesque patterns on the butt strap & trigger bow. Cylinder is an original percussion cylinder that had the rear shoulder machined away to expose the chambers leaving only the star wheel extended. It has the original SN “89491” with the secondary number “9042” below which matches the last four numbers of the serial number of this revolver. Loading gate and cylinder spindle are also matching numbered. Wedge is a replacement with numbers stamped upside down. It is apparent that this revolver was engraved, probably at the time of conversion or shortly thereafter, and had the ejector housing, cylinder, hammer, and trigger regilded, likely at the same time. According to The Book of Colt Firearms, Wilson, there were only about 2,200 of these revolvers converted, of which 1,000 were for the U.S. Navy during the period 1873-1876. Accompanied by an original burgundy velvet lined mahogany Colt casing partitioned in the bottom for the revolver, an L-shaped screwdriver and a lacquered tin of UMC #2 primers. Front of the case has a mahogany cartridge block with holes for seventy-five .38 caliber cartridges. CONDITION: Fine, all matching including replacement, renumbered wedge, grip is unnumbered. Barrel retains traces of original nickel in sheltered areas being mostly a cleaned metal patina; frame is matching patina and both barrel & frame have scattered fine pitting; ejector housing retains 60-70% gilding, thin on outer radius; cylinder retains about 80% gilding and shows about 50% thin Wm Ormsby naval battle scene roll marking; trigger & hammer retain strong gilding; trigger guard & back strap are mostly gray metal patina with traces of nickel. Grip has a few age lines and is sound showing a fine mellow ivory patina. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore with a couple of spots of pitting. Case is sound with light nicks & scratches and retains most of its original varnish; interior is lightly faded & moderately soiled, relined at the time of conversion.