SPECTACULAR AND UNUSUAL PAIR OF COLT 1851 NAVY REVOLVERS FROM FRANKFORD ARSENAL.

SPECTACULAR AND UNUSUAL PAIR OF COLT 1851 NAVY REVOLVERS FROM FRANKFORD ARSENAL. Cal. 36 Perc. Scarce, inscribed Navies with 7-1/2” oct bbls, New York address with case colored frame and 1-pc walnut grips. Both revolvers have the round head screws with Colts patent on the left forward side of the frame and a small “2” on the left side of each bbl. These both have the very scarce large iron trigger guard and backstrap. The backstrap of #44866 is inscribed in period block letter engraving “Major 1st Regt.” and #45064 is inscribed on the backstrap “Division Inspector”.

They are accompanied by a very old walnut box 19-5/8” l x 5-3/8”w x 5-1/2” h. It is beautifully made with dovetailed corners, brass hook latches and a brass scallop cornered plaque 2-5/8” x 1” inlaid in the lid. The plaque is inscribed “U.S./Frankford Arsenal/1860”. The lid has mitered corners and fits very tight over an inside dust rail. Inside the box has two sliding blocks mortised into each end, which allow the two revolvers to be stored side-by-side in the case. The one block has recesses for the muzzles and the bottom recesses for the toes and recesses for the hammers in the lid. The area around the muzzle recesses, the heel and hammer recesses, the block back of the butts and the compartment at the end are all lined with faded old green velvet. The compartment contains a sleeve of original Gold Marks caps in original cardboard boxes.

CONDITION: 1) #44866. Very fine, all matching including the wedge. Bbl retains about 90% bright original blue mixed with lightly flaked spots, which have turned to patina. The lever arm and rammer are a silver/gray patina with the rammer pivot retaining good faded colors. The frame retains 20-25% faded case colors with the balance turned silver. The Colt Patent markings are very faint. The cylinder is an even light gray patina with scattered light pitting and a couple scratches, it retains about 95% crisp Naval battle scene. All the pins are peened over. The hammer retains about 75% dark case colors with a spot of deep pitting and scattered fine pitting on the left side. The grip frame retains traces of blue in the very sheltered areas with the balance a dark gray patina. Grips are extremely fine with very light edge wear and retain 96-98% strong bright varnish. The bore is strong and bright with moderate pitting. Good mechanics.

2) #45064. Very fine, all matching including the wedge. Bbl retains 70-75% original blue turning plum with scattered light surface rust and a ring of light pitting by the front sight. The lever arm and rammer are silvered case colors with traces of color on the sides of the pivot, brilliant in the sheltered areas. The frame retains about 50-60% faded case colors with the balance a medium gray patina. The Colt’s Patent markings are very thin. The cylinder is a light silver/brown patina with a couple of small dings and what may be a vise mark, otherwise retains about 95% crisp Naval battle scene. Five of the 6 pins are intact with one mostly peened over. The grip frame retains blue only in the very sheltered areas, being an even medium gray/brown patina. Grips are superb with only minor edge wear and a few handling and use marks, retaining most of their original strong bright varnish. The bore is bright and shiny with scattered moderate pitting. Crisp mechanics.

The box is also very fine, having a very dark age patina on the exterior with an area around the plaque in the lid cleaned from polishing the brass, with a few light scratches and a bruise or two. The interior also has a fine age patina. 4-49955 JR356 (15,000-25,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2003

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	394	$18,400.00	SPECTACULAR AND UNUSUAL PAIR OF COLT 1851 NAVY REVOLVERS FROM FRANKFORD ARSENAL. Cal. 36 Perc. Scarce, inscribed Navies with 7-1/2” oct bbls, New York address with case colored frame and 1-pc walnut grips. Both revolvers have the round head screws with Colts patent on the left forward side of the frame and a small “2” on the left side of each bbl. These both have the very scarce large iron trigger guard and backstrap. The backstrap of #44866 is inscribed in period block letter engraving “Major 1st Regt.” and #45064 is inscribed on the backstrap “Division Inspector”. They are accompanied by a very old walnut box 19-5/8” l x 5-3/8”w x 5-1/2” h. It is beautifully made with dovetailed corners, brass hook latches and a brass scallop cornered plaque 2-5/8” x 1” inlaid in the lid. The plaque is inscribed “U.S./Frankford Arsenal/1860”. The lid has mitered corners and fits very tight over an inside dust rail. Inside the box has two sliding blocks mortised into each end, which allow the two revolvers to be stored side-by-side in the case. The one block has recesses for the muzzles and the bottom recesses for the toes and recesses for the hammers in the lid. The area around the muzzle recesses, the heel and hammer recesses, the block back of the butts and the compartment at the end are all lined with faded old green velvet. The compartment contains a sleeve of original Gold Marks caps in original cardboard boxes. CONDITION: 1) #44866. Very fine, all matching including the wedge. Bbl retains about 90% bright original blue mixed with lightly flaked spots, which have turned to patina. The lever arm and rammer are a silver/gray patina with the rammer pivot retaining good faded colors. The frame retains 20-25% faded case colors with the balance turned silver. The Colt Patent markings are very faint. The cylinder is an even light gray patina with scattered light pitting and a couple scratches, it retains about 95% crisp Naval battle scene. All the pins are peened over. The hammer retains about 75% dark case colors with a spot of deep pitting and scattered fine pitting on the left side. The grip frame retains traces of blue in the very sheltered areas with the balance a dark gray patina. Grips are extremely fine with very light edge wear and retain 96-98% strong bright varnish. The bore is strong and bright with moderate pitting. Good mechanics. 2) #45064. Very fine, all matching including the wedge. Bbl retains 70-75% original blue turning plum with scattered light surface rust and a ring of light pitting by the front sight. The lever arm and rammer are silvered case colors with traces of color on the sides of the pivot, brilliant in the sheltered areas. The frame retains about 50-60% faded case colors with the balance a medium gray patina. The Colt’s Patent markings are very thin. The cylinder is a light silver/brown patina with a couple of small dings and what may be a vise mark, otherwise retains about 95% crisp Naval battle scene. Five of the 6 pins are intact with one mostly peened over. The grip frame retains blue only in the very sheltered areas, being an even medium gray/brown patina. Grips are superb with only minor edge wear and a few handling and use marks, retaining most of their original strong bright varnish. The bore is bright and shiny with scattered moderate pitting. Crisp mechanics. The box is also very fine, having a very dark age patina on the exterior with an area around the plaque in the lid cleaned from polishing the brass, with a few light scratches and a bruise or two. The interior also has a fine age patina. 4-49955 JR356 (15,000-25,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2003 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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