EXTREMELY RARE CASED COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY THUER CONVERSION REVOLVER.

EXTREMELY RARE CASED COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY THUER CONVERSION REVOLVER. SN 206636. Cal. 36. This exceptionally rare revolver is one of the series of Colt percussion revolvers converted to a central fire system designed by F. Alexander Thuer with production in six different models of Colt revolvers totaling only about 5,000 revolvers during the period 1869-72. Although the Thuer cartridge was not the first center fire ammunition produced it represents Colt’s first production center fire revolver. The cartridge utilized has an unusual tapered brass casing with small copper primer and lead bullet that loads into the cylinder from the front. Percussion cylinders were altered by having a portion of the rear section machined away with a conversion ring fitted over that extension. The conversion ring has a rebounding firing pin also has a safe mode. Revolvers converted under the Thuer system had the right edge of their bbl lugs altered by lengthening the loading aperture to allow loading of the tapered cartridge which occurs here. The addition of an accompanying interchangeable percussion cylinder was one of Colt’s selling points for the conversion. Other than the conversion cylinder and lengthened aperture on bbl housing, this gun conforms to standard Model 1851 Colt Navy features which include 7-1/2″ oct bbl, pin front sight with 1-line New York bbl address, “COLTS PATENT” on left front side of the frame and 36 caliber marking on the left rear shoulder of the trigger guard. The SN is found on the bottom of the frame, bbl housing, trigger guard, butt strap, cylinder and base pin. Thuer cylinder has the Ormsby Naval scene as does the accompanying percussion cylinder. Revolver has silver plated brass trigger guard & back strap with fine varnish walnut stocks. Thuer cylinder, conversion ring and bbl are rich, bright blued. Hammer and frame are case colored retaining most of their bright case colors as can be seen in photos. Accompanied by an English oak case with Pall-Mall, London Colt label. Case is accompanied by a functioning key, 2 cartridge tins with labels, 3 round cap tins – 2 with labels, an oiler, bullet mold and screwdriver. Interior is green felt lined, English style, compartmented in the bottom for the revolver and accessories. PROVENANCE: Dr. John & Margaret Pickup Collection. CONDITION: Revolver is very fine overall. Overall retains most of its orig silver finish to backstrap and trigger guard. Bbl retains over 95% of its bright blue finish with a few scratches, dings and nicks especially on right side of housing around wedge slot. The wedge which retains strong traces of original finish in protected areas; having number “5537”. The loading arm retains about 40% bright case colors with balance muted to gray. Bore is shiny with crisp rifling appearing probably unfired. Thuer conversion cyl retains about 10% of blue on face of cylinder. Chambers retain almost all their blue again suggesting that this gun is unfired. There are matching assembly numbers “34” on Thuer collar and cylinder and also small “F” is found on Thuer collar, cylinder and inside frame where it meets cylinder. The collar retains 98% of its original blue with the typical script “E” and “PAT. SEP. 15 1866”. Percussion cyl bears SN “77343” and has no British proofs as does Thuer cylinder and bbl. Percussion cyl retains about 60% of its original blue finish with areas of staining and pitting. Chambers retain much of their original blue finish again lending to supposition that gun has never been fired. Percussion cyl has a small “S” and an “*” stamped on face of cylinder which is unknown to this cataloger. Safety pins are complete and functional. Stocks are fine overall, well fit retaining 98% of their original varnish. Bullet mold and L-shaped screwdriver retain about 80% of their original blue finish, though thinning with numerous small dents on mold. Both tools have minor staining and light pitting. Cap tin and “Lubricating Wads” tin for Thuers patent cartridges are both very good with scuffing and chipping to labels which can be seen in photos. English oak casing is sound and solid overall with typical English rope bordered 1-1/8″ round brass plaque on top of case. Brass screws and brass lock face escutcheon retain. Bottom wood slat in case has long 1/8″ wide crack which can be seen through inside of case where insects have ate the cloth lining around the crack. Exterior of case exhibits numerous small dings, dents and scratches. Case is well fit with functional contemporary key, green cloth lining is missing much of its knap and has several holes and reductions. Partitions are complete and intact though several are loose. 8″ x 5-3/4″ paper label has several cracks and tears not affecting the overall aesthetics of casing. Label his nice central vignette of five Colt arms and specifically describes directions for Colts “NEW PATENT METALLIC CENTRAL FIRE CARTRIDGE REVOLVING PISTOLS”. 4-46406 (50,000-60,000)

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
	1473	$0.00	EXTREMELY RARE CASED COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY THUER CONVERSION REVOLVER. SN 206636. Cal. 36. This exceptionally rare revolver is one of the series of Colt percussion revolvers converted to a central fire system designed by F. Alexander Thuer with production in six different models of Colt revolvers totaling only about 5,000 revolvers during the period 1869-72. Although the Thuer cartridge was not the first center fire ammunition produced it represents Colt’s first production center fire revolver. The cartridge utilized has an unusual tapered brass casing with small copper primer and lead bullet that loads into the cylinder from the front. Percussion cylinders were altered by having a portion of the rear section machined away with a conversion ring fitted over that extension. The conversion ring has a rebounding firing pin also has a safe mode. Revolvers converted under the Thuer system had the right edge of their bbl lugs altered by lengthening the loading aperture to allow loading of the tapered cartridge which occurs here. The addition of an accompanying interchangeable percussion cylinder was one of Colt’s selling points for the conversion. Other than the conversion cylinder and lengthened aperture on bbl housing, this gun conforms to standard Model 1851 Colt Navy features which include 7-1/2″ oct bbl, pin front sight with 1-line New York bbl address, “COLTS PATENT” on left front side of the frame and 36 caliber marking on the left rear shoulder of the trigger guard. The SN is found on the bottom of the frame, bbl housing, trigger guard, butt strap, cylinder and base pin. Thuer cylinder has the Ormsby Naval scene as does the accompanying percussion cylinder. Revolver has silver plated brass trigger guard & back strap with fine varnish walnut stocks. Thuer cylinder, conversion ring and bbl are rich, bright blued. Hammer and frame are case colored retaining most of their bright case colors as can be seen in photos. Accompanied by an English oak case with Pall-Mall, London Colt label. Case is accompanied by a functioning key, 2 cartridge tins with labels, 3 round cap tins – 2 with labels, an oiler, bullet mold and screwdriver. Interior is green felt lined, English style, compartmented in the bottom for the revolver and accessories. PROVENANCE: Dr. John & Margaret Pickup Collection. CONDITION: Revolver is very fine overall. Overall retains most of its orig silver finish to backstrap and trigger guard. Bbl retains over 95% of its bright blue finish with a few scratches, dings and nicks especially on right side of housing around wedge slot. The wedge which retains strong traces of original finish in protected areas; having number “5537”. The loading arm retains about 40% bright case colors with balance muted to gray. Bore is shiny with crisp rifling appearing probably unfired. Thuer conversion cyl retains about 10% of blue on face of cylinder. Chambers retain almost all their blue again suggesting that this gun is unfired. There are matching assembly numbers “34” on Thuer collar and cylinder and also small “F” is found on Thuer collar, cylinder and inside frame where it meets cylinder. The collar retains 98% of its original blue with the typical script “E” and “PAT. SEP. 15 1866”. Percussion cyl bears SN “77343” and has no British proofs as does Thuer cylinder and bbl. Percussion cyl retains about 60% of its original blue finish with areas of staining and pitting. Chambers retain much of their original blue finish again lending to supposition that gun has never been fired. Percussion cyl has a small “S” and an “” stamped on face of cylinder which is unknown to this cataloger. Safety pins are complete and functional. Stocks are fine overall, well fit retaining 98% of their original varnish. Bullet mold and L-shaped screwdriver retain about 80% of their original blue finish, though thinning with numerous small dents on mold. Both tools have minor staining and light pitting. Cap tin and “Lubricating Wads” tin for Thuers patent cartridges are both very good with scuffing and chipping to labels which can be seen in photos. English oak casing is sound and solid overall with typical English rope bordered 1-1/8″ round brass plaque on top of case. Brass screws and brass lock face escutcheon retain. Bottom wood slat in case has long 1/8″ wide crack which can be seen through inside of case where insects have ate the cloth lining around the crack. Exterior of case exhibits numerous small dings, dents and scratches. Case is well fit with functional contemporary key, green cloth lining is missing much of its knap and has several holes and reductions. Partitions are complete and intact though several are loose. 8″ x 5-3/4″ paper label has several cracks and tears not affecting the overall aesthetics of casing. Label his nice central vignette of five Colt arms and specifically describes directions for Colts “NEW PATENT METALLIC CENTRAL FIRE CARTRIDGE REVOLVING PISTOLS”. 4-46406 (50,000-60,000) 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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