SPECTACULAR CASED FACTORY ENGRAVED PAIR OF INSCRIBED COLT 1861 NAVY REVOLVERS.

SPECTACULAR CASED FACTORY ENGRAVED PAIR OF INSCRIBED COLT 1861 NAVY REVOLVERS. Cal. 36. SN 18159 & 18165. Both revolvers have 7-1/2” rnd bbls with unfluted cylinders and beautifully figured, deluxe, smooth walnut grips. They are identically engraved in early foliate and vine arabesque patterns with 40% coverage on the frames and bbls with silver plating. The trigger guard and backstrap are also lightly engraved and the hammers have the early wolf’s head on each side, the left side of the frames has the Young’s trademark “Colt’s patent” in elliptical panels. The cylinders have a naval battle scene. The back straps are identically engraved in period script lettering “HB HITCHINGS”. An Internet reference to a H.B. Hitchings was found. He apparently was a lawyer in Kingston, Jamaica listed in the 1880’s. Each serial number on the bottom of both revolvers has the initials “I.P.” It is accompanied by a Bob Ell’s style California casing made from a silverware box with beautiful faded rose and green felt French fitted interior containing an original, silver-plated, angle spout, dbl sided, Navy style flask with deep Repousse designs of American flags, an eagle and trophy of arms under stars and crossed revolvers. It also contains an iron Colt’s patent 2-cavity mold, an English style iron oil bottle, a packet of 36 caliber combustible cartridges and another packet of 36 caliber cartridges by Sage. It additionally contains an original paper-wrapped tin of Eley Bros. Caps. The nipple wrench is missing. The case measures 16” x 11 1/2” x 2 3/4” of nicely grained walnut with brass reinforcements and a brass shield in the lid. CONDITION: Revolver number 13159 is very fine and retains about 95% original silver-plating with some light freckling on the bbl, frame and hammer. Backstrap and trigger guard have some light flaked areas with some light bubbling. Cylinder retains virtually all of its original naval battle scene and has some slight dings around the front edge. Grips are sound and retain about 93-95% strong bright original varnish. Mechanics are fine with bright shiny bore and a spot or two of pitting. Most of the screws are very slightly battered.

Revolver number 18165 retains about 90% original silver-plating on the bbl and frame. Cylinder has been cleaned and retains about 60% original silver. Silver missing from the grip frame is flaked rather than worn. Grips retain about 95% bright original varnish and are slightly shrunken. Mechanics are fine with a crisp shiny bore. Both revolvers may have been fired, but if so, very little. However, they appear to have been handled and played with as the safety pins are all battered. Regardless, they are an exceptional pair and additional research is required to determine who Mr. Hitchings actually was. Case has faded interior with some soiling and staining around the revolvers. Lid has a couple of cracks and a chipped piece of veneer, which is included. Flask has two or three small dents and a rusted spring and retains about 85-90% original silver. Mold is dark and lightly pitted and the cap tin wrapping paper has a couple of cracks and slight loss on one side. 4-51368 JR21 (40,000-70,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2004

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
	1332	$0.00	SPECTACULAR CASED FACTORY ENGRAVED PAIR OF INSCRIBED COLT 1861 NAVY REVOLVERS. Cal. 36. SN 18159 & 18165. Both revolvers have 7-1/2” rnd bbls with unfluted cylinders and beautifully figured, deluxe, smooth walnut grips. They are identically engraved in early foliate and vine arabesque patterns with 40% coverage on the frames and bbls with silver plating. The trigger guard and backstrap are also lightly engraved and the hammers have the early wolf’s head on each side, the left side of the frames has the Young’s trademark “Colt’s patent” in elliptical panels. The cylinders have a naval battle scene. The back straps are identically engraved in period script lettering “HB HITCHINGS”. An Internet reference to a H.B. Hitchings was found. He apparently was a lawyer in Kingston, Jamaica listed in the 1880’s. Each serial number on the bottom of both revolvers has the initials “I.P.” It is accompanied by a Bob Ell’s style California casing made from a silverware box with beautiful faded rose and green felt French fitted interior containing an original, silver-plated, angle spout, dbl sided, Navy style flask with deep Repousse designs of American flags, an eagle and trophy of arms under stars and crossed revolvers. It also contains an iron Colt’s patent 2-cavity mold, an English style iron oil bottle, a packet of 36 caliber combustible cartridges and another packet of 36 caliber cartridges by Sage. It additionally contains an original paper-wrapped tin of Eley Bros. Caps. The nipple wrench is missing. The case measures 16” x 11 1/2” x 2 3/4” of nicely grained walnut with brass reinforcements and a brass shield in the lid. CONDITION: Revolver number 13159 is very fine and retains about 95% original silver-plating with some light freckling on the bbl, frame and hammer. Backstrap and trigger guard have some light flaked areas with some light bubbling. Cylinder retains virtually all of its original naval battle scene and has some slight dings around the front edge. Grips are sound and retain about 93-95% strong bright original varnish. Mechanics are fine with bright shiny bore and a spot or two of pitting. Most of the screws are very slightly battered. Revolver number 18165 retains about 90% original silver-plating on the bbl and frame. Cylinder has been cleaned and retains about 60% original silver. Silver missing from the grip frame is flaked rather than worn. Grips retain about 95% bright original varnish and are slightly shrunken. Mechanics are fine with a crisp shiny bore. Both revolvers may have been fired, but if so, very little. However, they appear to have been handled and played with as the safety pins are all battered. Regardless, they are an exceptional pair and additional research is required to determine who Mr. Hitchings actually was. Case has faded interior with some soiling and staining around the revolvers. Lid has a couple of cracks and a chipped piece of veneer, which is included. Flask has two or three small dents and a rusted spring and retains about 85-90% original silver. Mold is dark and lightly pitted and the cap tin wrapping paper has a couple of cracks and slight loss on one side. 4-51368 JR21 (40,000-70,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2004 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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