Image Lot Price Description


1294
$6,038.00

RARE CASED BRITISH PROOFED COLT 1855 ROOT MODEL 5A SIDEHAMMER PERCUSSION POCKET REVOLVER. SN 5394. Cal. 31. Blue finish with 4-1/2″ rnd bbl, brass pin front sight, 2-line New York address and horizontal rammer latch. It has 5-shot full fluted cylinder and 1-pc walnut grip. Left side of bbl & cylinder, in the flutes, have British proofs. Accompanied by an orig English oak casing with rnd brass medallion in top of lid and green baize lining with use instructions paper inside the lid. Bottom is compartmented for revolver, a wooden handled cleaning rod with broken tip, an L-shaped screwdriver, a “COLTS PATENT” blued steel 2-cavity mold with sprue cutter marked on right side “31 PKT”, a Dixon bag flask with graduated spout, a pewter oil bottle and a laquered tin of Walker caps. Small compartment in right front corner contains bullets & balls. The L-shaped nipple wrench is missing. About 5,600 of Root Models 5 and 5A were made in period 1855-1870. Few are known with British proofs and even still fewer are cased. CONDITION: Revolver is good to very good, all matching although the number could not be read on cylinder which has pitting. Bbl retains a blue/gray patina with mottled spots of discoloration. Frame & grip frame retain 35-45% thin glossy blue being mostly a gray/brown patina with fine pitting on top strap & back strap and some battering near the top of the back strap. Cylinder is a gray/brown patina with fine pitting over most of surfaces, heavier on rear face. Grip is sound with a couple of small dings & light scratches and retains most of a fine restored finish. Mechanics are fine, worn dark bore. Case has a crack in bottom, otherwise is sound and retains most of an old restored finish. Interior is moderately to heavily faded with yellowed label. Bottom shows moderate soil and light wear. Accessories are fine. 4-33383 JR420 (6,000-8,000)


Auction: Firearms - Spring 2008
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.