EXTREMELY RARE CASED ENGRAVED PAIR OF COLT MODEL 1851 LONDON NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVERS.

EXTREMELY RARE CASED ENGRAVED PAIR OF COLT MODEL 1851 LONDON NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVERS. SN 23687 & 23647. Cal. 36. Identical pair with 7-1/2″ oct bbls, brass pin front sights and 1-line London addresses with arrows. Frames are identically engraved, probably by the same hand, with “Colts Patent” engraved in a ribbon on left side of frames. Frames are engraved in very well executed foliate arabesque patterns with shaded backgrounds and about 60-65% coverage. Engraving extends over bbl lugs, top side flats of bbl, around muzzles and on the rammer pivots. The silver plated large guard iron trigger guards & backstraps are identically engraved with matching patterns which extend over the buttstraps, toe of frontstraps & trigger bows. Each revolver is mounted with beautiful, highly figured, varnished walnut grip with respective matching SNs in backstrap channels. Sides of hammer spurs are also engraved and top edges of hammers are engraved in dolphin patterns. Cyls are usual 6-shots with Ormsby Naval Battle scene roll markings. Sides of bbl lugs and cyls have British proofs and revolvers have the typical English domed screws. All of SNs on the bottom of each revolver are accompanied by a small punch mark signifying extra polish for engraving or presentation. Accompanied by a beautiful brass bound, green baize lined mahogany casing with bull’s eye lifting ring in the lid, a mortised brass lock in bottom front with sliding latches on each end of the front. Inside the lid has the Colt “Directions for Loading Colt’s Pistols” label. Bottom is compartmented for the two revolvers, a Dixon Navy sized bag flask, two blued “COLTS PATENT” 2-cavity bullet & ball molds in the English style with locator pin in the left arm, two 500 count lacquered Eley cap tins, two L-shaped nipple wrench/screwdrivers, two all-metal cleaning rods and a Dixon pewter oil bottle. Right center covered compartment contains six spare nipples. Given the luxurious presentation dbl casing and fine engraving with deluxe burl walnut grips, it is readily apparent that this set was a presentation intended for a high ranking British officer or someone of equal importance. PROVENANCE: Dr. John & Margaret Pickup Collection. CONDITION: Revolvers are in nearly identical condition, all matching, showing very little evidence of ever having been used and are possibly unfired. #23647 bbl retains 93-95% glossy orig blue with light sharp edge wear and flaking on right side of bbl lug; rammer & handle retain about all of their orig case colors, brilliant on pivot; frame retains about all of its subtle English case colors, moderately faded on left side, brighter on right side and brilliant in sheltered areas; cyl retains 65-70% glossy orig blue with the losses flaked to a light patina; chambers retain about half their orig blue and all six safety pins are crisp; trigger guard retains about 65% orig silver with the front strap a gray/brown patina; backstrap is a silver/brown patina. Grip is sound with a couple of minor scratches and a few chips in the finish and overall retains about all of its bright orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore with a few small spots of pitting. #23687 bbl retains about 60% glossy orig blue with losses flaked, not worn, to a medium patina; rammer & handle retain about all of their strong case colors, faded on handle, brilliant on pivot; frame retains virtually all of its orig case colors, lightly to moderately faded; cyl retains 65-70% glossy orig blue with the flaked areas a light patina; chambers retain about half their orig blue and all six safety pins are crisp; trigger guard retains virtually all of its strong orig silver and backstrap about 60% silver. Grip is sound with a very few, very light nicks in the finish and overall retains about all of its brilliant orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. Case is completely sound with usual handling & storage nicks & scratches with a couple of gouges in the lid and overall retains most of its orig varnish; interior is moderately faded inside the lid with yellowed label, missing a few small pieces; bottom is crisp & clean showing very little use; flask is crisp & new retaining all of its orig factory finish; molds appear to be unused with one showing some light flaking; nipple wrenches & cleaning rods are fine as are cap tins & oil bottle. Altogether this is an extraordinary set that would add to any collection. 4-46408 (75,000-125,000)

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
	1464	$80,500.00	EXTREMELY RARE CASED ENGRAVED PAIR OF COLT MODEL 1851 LONDON NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVERS. SN 23687 & 23647. Cal. 36. Identical pair with 7-1/2″ oct bbls, brass pin front sights and 1-line London addresses with arrows. Frames are identically engraved, probably by the same hand, with “Colts Patent” engraved in a ribbon on left side of frames. Frames are engraved in very well executed foliate arabesque patterns with shaded backgrounds and about 60-65% coverage. Engraving extends over bbl lugs, top side flats of bbl, around muzzles and on the rammer pivots. The silver plated large guard iron trigger guards & backstraps are identically engraved with matching patterns which extend over the buttstraps, toe of frontstraps & trigger bows. Each revolver is mounted with beautiful, highly figured, varnished walnut grip with respective matching SNs in backstrap channels. Sides of hammer spurs are also engraved and top edges of hammers are engraved in dolphin patterns. Cyls are usual 6-shots with Ormsby Naval Battle scene roll markings. Sides of bbl lugs and cyls have British proofs and revolvers have the typical English domed screws. All of SNs on the bottom of each revolver are accompanied by a small punch mark signifying extra polish for engraving or presentation. Accompanied by a beautiful brass bound, green baize lined mahogany casing with bull’s eye lifting ring in the lid, a mortised brass lock in bottom front with sliding latches on each end of the front. Inside the lid has the Colt “Directions for Loading Colt’s Pistols” label. Bottom is compartmented for the two revolvers, a Dixon Navy sized bag flask, two blued “COLTS PATENT” 2-cavity bullet & ball molds in the English style with locator pin in the left arm, two 500 count lacquered Eley cap tins, two L-shaped nipple wrench/screwdrivers, two all-metal cleaning rods and a Dixon pewter oil bottle. Right center covered compartment contains six spare nipples. Given the luxurious presentation dbl casing and fine engraving with deluxe burl walnut grips, it is readily apparent that this set was a presentation intended for a high ranking British officer or someone of equal importance. PROVENANCE: Dr. John & Margaret Pickup Collection. CONDITION: Revolvers are in nearly identical condition, all matching, showing very little evidence of ever having been used and are possibly unfired. #23647 bbl retains 93-95% glossy orig blue with light sharp edge wear and flaking on right side of bbl lug; rammer & handle retain about all of their orig case colors, brilliant on pivot; frame retains about all of its subtle English case colors, moderately faded on left side, brighter on right side and brilliant in sheltered areas; cyl retains 65-70% glossy orig blue with the losses flaked to a light patina; chambers retain about half their orig blue and all six safety pins are crisp; trigger guard retains about 65% orig silver with the front strap a gray/brown patina; backstrap is a silver/brown patina. Grip is sound with a couple of minor scratches and a few chips in the finish and overall retains about all of its bright orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore with a few small spots of pitting. #23687 bbl retains about 60% glossy orig blue with losses flaked, not worn, to a medium patina; rammer & handle retain about all of their strong case colors, faded on handle, brilliant on pivot; frame retains virtually all of its orig case colors, lightly to moderately faded; cyl retains 65-70% glossy orig blue with the flaked areas a light patina; chambers retain about half their orig blue and all six safety pins are crisp; trigger guard retains virtually all of its strong orig silver and backstrap about 60% silver. Grip is sound with a very few, very light nicks in the finish and overall retains about all of its brilliant orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. Case is completely sound with usual handling & storage nicks & scratches with a couple of gouges in the lid and overall retains most of its orig varnish; interior is moderately faded inside the lid with yellowed label, missing a few small pieces; bottom is crisp & clean showing very little use; flask is crisp & new retaining all of its orig factory finish; molds appear to be unused with one showing some light flaking; nipple wrenches & cleaning rods are fine as are cap tins & oil bottle. Altogether this is an extraordinary set that would add to any collection. 4-46408 (75,000-125,000) 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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