EXTREMELY RARE CASED BRACE OF THUER CONVERSION 1861 NAVY REVOLVERS.

SN 27164 & 29746. Cal. 36. Revolvers are virtually identical with blue and color case hardening, 7-1/2″ rnd bbls, German silver front sights and 1-line New-York U.S. America addresses. Left sides of frames have a small “COLTS PATENT” and left shoulders of trigger guards are marked “36 CAL”. The silver plated brass trigger guards and backstraps contain 1-pc smooth ivory grips. Hammer noses have a hardened rnd insert and rammers are threaded for the small loading tool. Accompanied by an orig, green baize lined, Colt mahogany dbl casing that is compartmented in the bottom for the revolvers, a metal cartridge tin with orange label containing 8 orig Thuer cartridges, a tin of Thuer cartridge primers, a 4-pc set of reloading tools, an “L” shaped nipple wrench/screwdriver, a small punch and a brass and ebony cleaning rod with jag. Also included are 2 spare percussion cylinders, one with the last 3-digits of a SN “055” and the other “794”. The Thuer cyl on number “27164” has last 3-digits of matching serial number and assembly number is “13”. Cyl on “29746” also has last 3-digits of matching SN and assembly number “19”. According to Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms, there were about 5,000 Colt revolvers converted to Thuer configuration in 6 different models including the 1861 Navy, during the period 1869-1872. While the Thuer was not Americas first experiment with center fire cartridges, they were Colt’s first production of self contained center fire cartridges which lead to more advanced designs once the Rollin White bored-though cyl patent has expired. This design was only marginally successful, but is truly a milestone in the development of cartridge arms. Single revolvers are quite rare and pairs such as this are extremely rare with cased sets, as found here, having only a few known. Case is slightly oversized for the 61 Navy, but a 60 Army fits fine. This exact set is pictured on page 111 of A Study of Colt Conversions and Other Percussion Revolvers By R. Bruce McDowell. PROVENANCE: The William Gerber Family Collection. CONDITION: #29164) Fine to very fine, all matching except grip, which was not examined. Bbl retains 40-50% flaked blue mixed with medium patina; rammer retains dark case colors, strong on pivot; frame and hammer retain about 96-97% brilliant case colors with a naturally thin spot on the left side; cyl retains about 70% strong blue on the rotating ring and a blue/brown patina on the major diameter and shows about 80% Ormsby Naval battle scene roll marking; trigger guard retains about 80% orig silver and the backstrap about 40%; grip is crisp, slightly shrunken with a wonderful ivory patina. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. #29746) Fine to very fine, bbl retains about 60% glossy orig blue with the loss areas flaked, not worn, to a dark patina; rammer and handle retain brilliant case colors; frame & hammer retain brilliant case colors, a little thin on top edge of hammer; cyl retains blue in sheltered areas on the ring being mostly a blue/brown patina and shows about 90% Ormsby Naval battle scene roll marking; trigger guard and backstrap retain 95-97% strong orig silver; grip is crisp with a lovely ivory patina. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore, may be unfired. Percussion cyls are fine, one retains about 90% orig blue and the other is a blue/brown patina; cartridge tin is fine with bright label showing light wear and soil; cartridges are fine; primer tin is also very fine; loading tools and other accessories are equally fine. Case has 3 grain checks in the bottom and has shrunken lid with loose joints, otherwise is sound and retains about 90% orig varnish; interior is moderately faded with soil and moth damage; partitions are intact. Altogether an extremely rare and desirable cased set. (WG-014) 4-51096 JR523 (90,000-150,000) – Lot 2032

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014

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
	2032	$0.00	EXTREMELY RARE CASED BRACE OF THUER CONVERSION 1861 NAVY REVOLVERS. SN 27164 & 29746. Cal. 36. Revolvers are virtually identical with blue and color case hardening, 7-1/2″ rnd bbls, German silver front sights and 1-line New-York U.S. America addresses. Left sides of frames have a small “COLTS PATENT” and left shoulders of trigger guards are marked “36 CAL”. The silver plated brass trigger guards and backstraps contain 1-pc smooth ivory grips. Hammer noses have a hardened rnd insert and rammers are threaded for the small loading tool. Accompanied by an orig, green baize lined, Colt mahogany dbl casing that is compartmented in the bottom for the revolvers, a metal cartridge tin with orange label containing 8 orig Thuer cartridges, a tin of Thuer cartridge primers, a 4-pc set of reloading tools, an “L” shaped nipple wrench/screwdriver, a small punch and a brass and ebony cleaning rod with jag. Also included are 2 spare percussion cylinders, one with the last 3-digits of a SN “055” and the other “794”. The Thuer cyl on number “27164” has last 3-digits of matching serial number and assembly number is “13”. Cyl on “29746” also has last 3-digits of matching SN and assembly number “19”. According to Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms, there were about 5,000 Colt revolvers converted to Thuer configuration in 6 different models including the 1861 Navy, during the period 1869-1872. While the Thuer was not Americas first experiment with center fire cartridges, they were Colt’s first production of self contained center fire cartridges which lead to more advanced designs once the Rollin White bored-though cyl patent has expired. This design was only marginally successful, but is truly a milestone in the development of cartridge arms. Single revolvers are quite rare and pairs such as this are extremely rare with cased sets, as found here, having only a few known. Case is slightly oversized for the 61 Navy, but a 60 Army fits fine. This exact set is pictured on page 111 of A Study of Colt Conversions and Other Percussion Revolvers By R. Bruce McDowell. PROVENANCE: The William Gerber Family Collection. CONDITION: #29164) Fine to very fine, all matching except grip, which was not examined. Bbl retains 40-50% flaked blue mixed with medium patina; rammer retains dark case colors, strong on pivot; frame and hammer retain about 96-97% brilliant case colors with a naturally thin spot on the left side; cyl retains about 70% strong blue on the rotating ring and a blue/brown patina on the major diameter and shows about 80% Ormsby Naval battle scene roll marking; trigger guard retains about 80% orig silver and the backstrap about 40%; grip is crisp, slightly shrunken with a wonderful ivory patina. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. #29746) Fine to very fine, bbl retains about 60% glossy orig blue with the loss areas flaked, not worn, to a dark patina; rammer and handle retain brilliant case colors; frame & hammer retain brilliant case colors, a little thin on top edge of hammer; cyl retains blue in sheltered areas on the ring being mostly a blue/brown patina and shows about 90% Ormsby Naval battle scene roll marking; trigger guard and backstrap retain 95-97% strong orig silver; grip is crisp with a lovely ivory patina. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore, may be unfired. Percussion cyls are fine, one retains about 90% orig blue and the other is a blue/brown patina; cartridge tin is fine with bright label showing light wear and soil; cartridges are fine; primer tin is also very fine; loading tools and other accessories are equally fine. Case has 3 grain checks in the bottom and has shrunken lid with loose joints, otherwise is sound and retains about 90% orig varnish; interior is moderately faded with soil and moth damage; partitions are intact. Altogether an extremely rare and desirable cased set. (WG-014) 4-51096 JR523 (90,000-150,000) – Lot 2032 Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014 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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EXTREMELY RARE CASED BRACE OF THUER CONVERSION 1861 NAVY REVOLVERS.