EXTREMELY RARE CASED FACTORY ENGRAVED 1855 COLT MODEL 7 PERCUSSION REVOLVER PRESENTED TO EDWARD M. BUNCE, BANKER FOR COLT FIRM.

SN 16321. Cal. 31. Blue & color case hardened with 3-1/2″ rnd bbl, brass pin front sight and 2-line address. Mounted with 1-pc checkered ivory grip with borders, matching number to this revolver. Cylinder is usual five chambers with hand engraved stagecoach hold-up scene roll marking and has the cylinder pin retaining screw through the side. When initially examined it was discovered that two of the chambers in this cylinder still had orig loads, which have been drawn. Revolver is spectacularly deluxe factory engraved with nearly full coverage late vine style patterns without shading or background, probably by Gustave Young. Hammer is engraved to match with patterns on the shank and both sides of the spur. Matching engraving patterns extend over the top strap, onto the bbl lug, sides of the bbl and around the muzzle with additional matching patterns on rammer pivot. Cylinder has the rear 1/3 engraved in matching patterns. Back strap has matching patterns at the top & heel and on the butt strap. Center of back strap is engraved in a period script factory presentation inscription “EDWARD M. B—- / With compliments of / Colt’s P.F.A.M.Co. / June 12th 1867”. A faint U and N can also be made out within the last name of the engraving. Accompanied by one of the most spectacular, deluxe, pink velvet lined rosewood casings to be encountered. The case is constructed of matching rosewood on all exposed surfaces and has spectacular streaky honey & chocolate grain patterns with an empty brass shield in the lid and mortised brass lock in the front. Interior is compartmented in the bottom for the revolver in reverse, a single sided, “COLTS PATENT”, eagle & stars Root sized flask, a blued steel “COLT’S PATENT” bullet & ball mold with sprue cutter, marked on the right side “31 PKT”, an empty packet for five combustible cartridges from Colt’s cartridge works and four complete and partially complete combustible cartridges. Accompanied by a two page letter from renowned Colt researcher, historian and author, R.L. Wilson, verifying most of the above information with the additional statement that the presentation was to Edward M. Bunce of Hartford, CT, who was the chief cashier at the Phoenix bank in Hartford, Colt’s company bank and a very important person to the Colt company. Mr. Wilson states that the presentation on the back strap was partially defaced by a family member “embarrassed to have been disposing of this prized heirloom”. This revolver is listed on p.72 of Colt Presentations From the Factory Ledgers 1856-1869, Houze, which shows that page 466 of the ledger, dated Thursday, June 20, 1867, “For 1. 3 1/2 in N.M.Pkt Pistol Ex Engraved / ivory with all Appendages in / Rosewood Case presented to / Edwd. M. Bunce Hartford Conn. 29.31”. That sum of $29.31 was an extraordinary amount for a handgun in 1867 and showed the value that Mr. Colt placed on the relationship with Mr. Bunce. Such elaborate presentations as this one are exceedingly rare, especially when found in such high orig finish, both case & revolver. CONDITION: Revolver is very fine, all matching including bbl, cyl & grip; bbl retains about 60-70% orig blue turning a little plumy with bright metal on both sides; frame, back strap & butt strap retain about 90% glossy orig blue with a small cleaned area on the right side of the bbl lug and sharp edge wear; back strap has the small cleaned area where the name was defaced; cylinder retains a thin blue/brown patina and shows about 98% stagecoach hold-up scene; front edge of the cylinder has some very fine pitting; rammer & hammer retain bright case colors; grip has a small chip in the toe and 2-3 tiny age lines and shows crisp diamond checkering and has a wonderful golden ivory patina. Mechanics are fine; strong bright bore with moderate pitting. Case has some fine grain checks in the lid with light handling & storage nicks & scratches and retains almost all of its orig varnish with what appears to be a wet glass circle on the lid; bottom retains nearly all of its orig green oil cloth covering with applied red leather corners; interior is lightly faded with very light soil in the bottom; partitions are all solid; flask is crisp and retains about 95-96% orig finish; mold appears to be unused and retains virtually all of its orig blue with fire blued sprue cutter screw; empty cartridge packet is fine. 4-50311 (75,000-95,000) – Lot 2219

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
	2219	$49,000.00	EXTREMELY RARE CASED FACTORY ENGRAVED 1855 COLT MODEL 7 PERCUSSION REVOLVER PRESENTED TO EDWARD M. BUNCE, BANKER FOR COLT FIRM. SN 16321. Cal. 31. Blue & color case hardened with 3-1/2″ rnd bbl, brass pin front sight and 2-line address. Mounted with 1-pc checkered ivory grip with borders, matching number to this revolver. Cylinder is usual five chambers with hand engraved stagecoach hold-up scene roll marking and has the cylinder pin retaining screw through the side. When initially examined it was discovered that two of the chambers in this cylinder still had orig loads, which have been drawn. Revolver is spectacularly deluxe factory engraved with nearly full coverage late vine style patterns without shading or background, probably by Gustave Young. Hammer is engraved to match with patterns on the shank and both sides of the spur. Matching engraving patterns extend over the top strap, onto the bbl lug, sides of the bbl and around the muzzle with additional matching patterns on rammer pivot. Cylinder has the rear 1/3 engraved in matching patterns. Back strap has matching patterns at the top & heel and on the butt strap. Center of back strap is engraved in a period script factory presentation inscription “EDWARD M. B—- / With compliments of / Colt’s P.F.A.M.Co. / June 12th 1867”. A faint U and N can also be made out within the last name of the engraving. Accompanied by one of the most spectacular, deluxe, pink velvet lined rosewood casings to be encountered. The case is constructed of matching rosewood on all exposed surfaces and has spectacular streaky honey & chocolate grain patterns with an empty brass shield in the lid and mortised brass lock in the front. Interior is compartmented in the bottom for the revolver in reverse, a single sided, “COLTS PATENT”, eagle & stars Root sized flask, a blued steel “COLT’S PATENT” bullet & ball mold with sprue cutter, marked on the right side “31 PKT”, an empty packet for five combustible cartridges from Colt’s cartridge works and four complete and partially complete combustible cartridges. Accompanied by a two page letter from renowned Colt researcher, historian and author, R.L. Wilson, verifying most of the above information with the additional statement that the presentation was to Edward M. Bunce of Hartford, CT, who was the chief cashier at the Phoenix bank in Hartford, Colt’s company bank and a very important person to the Colt company. Mr. Wilson states that the presentation on the back strap was partially defaced by a family member “embarrassed to have been disposing of this prized heirloom”. This revolver is listed on p.72 of Colt Presentations From the Factory Ledgers 1856-1869, Houze, which shows that page 466 of the ledger, dated Thursday, June 20, 1867, “For 1. 3 1/2 in N.M.Pkt Pistol Ex Engraved / ivory with all Appendages in / Rosewood Case presented to / Edwd. M. Bunce Hartford Conn. 29.31”. That sum of $29.31 was an extraordinary amount for a handgun in 1867 and showed the value that Mr. Colt placed on the relationship with Mr. Bunce. Such elaborate presentations as this one are exceedingly rare, especially when found in such high orig finish, both case & revolver. CONDITION: Revolver is very fine, all matching including bbl, cyl & grip; bbl retains about 60-70% orig blue turning a little plumy with bright metal on both sides; frame, back strap & butt strap retain about 90% glossy orig blue with a small cleaned area on the right side of the bbl lug and sharp edge wear; back strap has the small cleaned area where the name was defaced; cylinder retains a thin blue/brown patina and shows about 98% stagecoach hold-up scene; front edge of the cylinder has some very fine pitting; rammer & hammer retain bright case colors; grip has a small chip in the toe and 2-3 tiny age lines and shows crisp diamond checkering and has a wonderful golden ivory patina. Mechanics are fine; strong bright bore with moderate pitting. Case has some fine grain checks in the lid with light handling & storage nicks & scratches and retains almost all of its orig varnish with what appears to be a wet glass circle on the lid; bottom retains nearly all of its orig green oil cloth covering with applied red leather corners; interior is lightly faded with very light soil in the bottom; partitions are all solid; flask is crisp and retains about 95-96% orig finish; mold appears to be unused and retains virtually all of its orig blue with fire blued sprue cutter screw; empty cartridge packet is fine. 4-50311 (75,000-95,000) – Lot 2219 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 FACTORY ENGRAVED 1855 COLT MODEL 7 PERCUSSION REVOLVER PRESENTED TO EDWARD M. BUNCE, BANKER FOR COLT FIRM.