SCARCE CASED COLT MODEL 1865 CONVERSION REVOLVER.

SCARCE CASED COLT MODEL 1865 CONVERSION REVOLVER. SN 1841. Cal. 38 RF. Blue & color case hardened with 5-1/2″ rnd bbl that has been bored smooth and now measures about .393″, brass pin front sight and 1-line New-York U.S. America address. Right side of bbl lug is mounted with an ejector housing with smooth ejector head. Frame is marked with small “COLTS PATENT” and left shoulder of trigger guard is marked “36 CAL”. Cyl is usual 5-shots, rebated, with the rear 1/4″ milled away leaving the ratchet protrusion which fits into the conversion ring in the frame. Conversion ring has a loading gate with internal spring & detent. Hammer nose has been modified with the installation of a rimfire firing pin mounted to left side of the nose with two lateral rivets. The silver plated brass trigger guard & backstrap contain a varnished 1-pc walnut grip with SN in backstrap channel. Left side of bbl lug & cyl have tiny British proofs. Cyl spindle and loading gate have the assembly number “1485”. Accompanied by an orig, green felt lined, English oak casing with empty brass initial disc in the lid and the Colt’s London Agency label inside the lid. Bottom of case is compartmented for the revolver, an L-shaped screwdriver in place of a nipple wrench, a pewter oil bottle and a blued steel orig wire cleaning rod. Inside front of case has a cartridge block with holes for 38 cartridges. According to the Book of Colt Firearms, Wilson and Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms the data regarding the 1865 pocket Navy conversion revolvers is very confusing but it appears that about 6,500 of these revolvers were produced in the period 1873-1875, simultaneous with the introduction of the single action Army revolver. They were very popular, being smaller in size but still utilizing a 38 caliber self-contained cartridge which was a reasonably effective short range self defense cartridge. They are rarely found today with high orig condition with most having seen hard service. Cased examples are extremely rare. CONDITION: Very fine to extremely fine, all matching except wedge which is properly unnumbered. Bbl retains about 95% strong glossy orig blue with some light flaking; frame retains about all of its strong, orig case colors, bright on sides, brilliant in sheltered areas, turning dark over recoil shields & hammer; trigger guard & backstrap retain 35-40% orig silver with exposed areas a light mustard patina. Cyl retains about 50% glossy orig blue with balance flaked to a medium patina and overall retains about 95% stagecoach holdup scene roll marking. Grip is sound showing light edge wear with a series of bruises on right side and overall retains most of its bright orig varnish. Mechanics are fine, bright bore with scattered light pitting. Case is very fine with light nicks & dings and retains most of its orig varnish; interior is moderately faded with moderate soil in bottom and a yellowed label; accessories are fine. 4-46301 JR101 (5,000-8,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012

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
	1451	$0.00	SCARCE CASED COLT MODEL 1865 CONVERSION REVOLVER. SN 1841. Cal. 38 RF. Blue & color case hardened with 5-1/2″ rnd bbl that has been bored smooth and now measures about .393″, brass pin front sight and 1-line New-York U.S. America address. Right side of bbl lug is mounted with an ejector housing with smooth ejector head. Frame is marked with small “COLTS PATENT” and left shoulder of trigger guard is marked “36 CAL”. Cyl is usual 5-shots, rebated, with the rear 1/4″ milled away leaving the ratchet protrusion which fits into the conversion ring in the frame. Conversion ring has a loading gate with internal spring & detent. Hammer nose has been modified with the installation of a rimfire firing pin mounted to left side of the nose with two lateral rivets. The silver plated brass trigger guard & backstrap contain a varnished 1-pc walnut grip with SN in backstrap channel. Left side of bbl lug & cyl have tiny British proofs. Cyl spindle and loading gate have the assembly number “1485”. Accompanied by an orig, green felt lined, English oak casing with empty brass initial disc in the lid and the Colt’s London Agency label inside the lid. Bottom of case is compartmented for the revolver, an L-shaped screwdriver in place of a nipple wrench, a pewter oil bottle and a blued steel orig wire cleaning rod. Inside front of case has a cartridge block with holes for 38 cartridges. According to the Book of Colt Firearms, Wilson and Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms the data regarding the 1865 pocket Navy conversion revolvers is very confusing but it appears that about 6,500 of these revolvers were produced in the period 1873-1875, simultaneous with the introduction of the single action Army revolver. They were very popular, being smaller in size but still utilizing a 38 caliber self-contained cartridge which was a reasonably effective short range self defense cartridge. They are rarely found today with high orig condition with most having seen hard service. Cased examples are extremely rare. CONDITION: Very fine to extremely fine, all matching except wedge which is properly unnumbered. Bbl retains about 95% strong glossy orig blue with some light flaking; frame retains about all of its strong, orig case colors, bright on sides, brilliant in sheltered areas, turning dark over recoil shields & hammer; trigger guard & backstrap retain 35-40% orig silver with exposed areas a light mustard patina. Cyl retains about 50% glossy orig blue with balance flaked to a medium patina and overall retains about 95% stagecoach holdup scene roll marking. Grip is sound showing light edge wear with a series of bruises on right side and overall retains most of its bright orig varnish. Mechanics are fine, bright bore with scattered light pitting. Case is very fine with light nicks & dings and retains most of its orig varnish; interior is moderately faded with moderate soil in bottom and a yellowed label; accessories are fine. 4-46301 JR101 (5,000-8,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012 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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