EXTRAORDINARY & RARE PROTOTYPE CONVERSION COLT MODEL 1861 NAVY REVOLVER.

EXTRAORDINARY & RARE PROTOTYPE CONVERSION COLT MODEL 1861 NAVY REVOLVER. SN 1. Cal. 38 RF. Blue & case colored with 7-1/2″ rnd bbl, German silver front sight and 1-line “NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA” address. Bbl retains orig Model 1861 proportions with 7-groove gain twist left hand rifling. The rammer slot is plugged with the base for the attached ejector rod housing mounted to right side and secured with a screw. Ejector rod head is half moon shaped and beautifully checkered on the three exposed surfaces. Given the quality of checkering, it surely must have been done by one of Colt’s master gunsmiths and is identical to the checkering observed on other early prototype Colts. Ejector rod housing is of the longer style found on other prototype Colt revolvers which was later altered to a shorter style for production. It has the usual 6-shot straight cylinder with Ormsby Naval battle scene and a full rebated rear face to enclosed cartridge rims not found on production piece. Cylinder was reduced in length leaving the extended star wheel. Frame has a deep cartridge loading slot in right recoil shield, without loading gate. Conversion spacer ring with its captive, spring-loaded firing pin is apparently mounted with a screw up from the frame. Hammer nose was machined or filed with extended projection for sight notch to accommodate the conversion ring/firing pin. Hammer spur is very nicely hand knurled with a thin border & line. Brass trigger guard & back strap were never silver plated and contain a beautiful deluxe burled walnut 1-pc grip. Aside from bbl address and cylinder scene, the only other mark observed on this entire revolver was in the backstrap channel of grip, which is a penciled number “1”. Bbl, cylinder & conversion plate are of high polish, high luster charcoal blue and the frame & hammer are a beautiful deep bone meal case hardened colors. Accompanied by a 3-page letter from renowned historical researcher, R.L. Wilson, wherein he details most of the above information. Also accompanied by a copy of p. 73 from the John R. Hegeman Collection catalogue which identifies this revolver as an experimental and that it was manufactured in 1860. Additionally accompanied by a full sealed 2-pc box of Winchester, Stetsons Patent 38 RF long cartridges. Box has a green & black label with a line drawing of a cartridge and has an orange band with black lettering. This exact revolver is pictured on p. 213, photograph F, of The Book of Colt Firearms, Wilson, wherein he identifies it as having no serial number. This revolver is also pictured in full color on pp. 100 & 101 of Fine Colts of the Dr. Joseph A. Murphy Collection, Wilson. PROVENANCE: John R. Hegeman Collection; John E. Parsons Collection; John B. Solley Collection; Robert Q. Sutherland Collection; Dr. Joseph A. Murphy Collection. CONDITION: Extraordinarily fine, probably unfired. Overall retains most of its orig factory high gloss finish with slight high point & sharp edge wear with minor nicks & scratches. Cylinder has a few very minor nicks & scratches on front edge and retains about all of its slightly softened Ormsby Naval battle scene. Case colors on frame & hammer are deep & brilliant. Trigger guard & back strap have sharp edges with a medium mustard patina. Grip shows light edge wear with fine nicks & scratches and retains about 90% strong orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. Box of cartridges is very fine with intact label & band showing light wear & soil. 4-36418 JR78 (60,000-100,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2009

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
	2022	$57,500.00	EXTRAORDINARY & RARE PROTOTYPE CONVERSION COLT MODEL 1861 NAVY REVOLVER. SN 1. Cal. 38 RF. Blue & case colored with 7-1/2″ rnd bbl, German silver front sight and 1-line “NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA” address. Bbl retains orig Model 1861 proportions with 7-groove gain twist left hand rifling. The rammer slot is plugged with the base for the attached ejector rod housing mounted to right side and secured with a screw. Ejector rod head is half moon shaped and beautifully checkered on the three exposed surfaces. Given the quality of checkering, it surely must have been done by one of Colt’s master gunsmiths and is identical to the checkering observed on other early prototype Colts. Ejector rod housing is of the longer style found on other prototype Colt revolvers which was later altered to a shorter style for production. It has the usual 6-shot straight cylinder with Ormsby Naval battle scene and a full rebated rear face to enclosed cartridge rims not found on production piece. Cylinder was reduced in length leaving the extended star wheel. Frame has a deep cartridge loading slot in right recoil shield, without loading gate. Conversion spacer ring with its captive, spring-loaded firing pin is apparently mounted with a screw up from the frame. Hammer nose was machined or filed with extended projection for sight notch to accommodate the conversion ring/firing pin. Hammer spur is very nicely hand knurled with a thin border & line. Brass trigger guard & back strap were never silver plated and contain a beautiful deluxe burled walnut 1-pc grip. Aside from bbl address and cylinder scene, the only other mark observed on this entire revolver was in the backstrap channel of grip, which is a penciled number “1”. Bbl, cylinder & conversion plate are of high polish, high luster charcoal blue and the frame & hammer are a beautiful deep bone meal case hardened colors. Accompanied by a 3-page letter from renowned historical researcher, R.L. Wilson, wherein he details most of the above information. Also accompanied by a copy of p. 73 from the John R. Hegeman Collection catalogue which identifies this revolver as an experimental and that it was manufactured in 1860. Additionally accompanied by a full sealed 2-pc box of Winchester, Stetsons Patent 38 RF long cartridges. Box has a green & black label with a line drawing of a cartridge and has an orange band with black lettering. This exact revolver is pictured on p. 213, photograph F, of The Book of Colt Firearms, Wilson, wherein he identifies it as having no serial number. This revolver is also pictured in full color on pp. 100 & 101 of Fine Colts of the Dr. Joseph A. Murphy Collection, Wilson. PROVENANCE: John R. Hegeman Collection; John E. Parsons Collection; John B. Solley Collection; Robert Q. Sutherland Collection; Dr. Joseph A. Murphy Collection. CONDITION: Extraordinarily fine, probably unfired. Overall retains most of its orig factory high gloss finish with slight high point & sharp edge wear with minor nicks & scratches. Cylinder has a few very minor nicks & scratches on front edge and retains about all of its slightly softened Ormsby Naval battle scene. Case colors on frame & hammer are deep & brilliant. Trigger guard & back strap have sharp edges with a medium mustard patina. Grip shows light edge wear with fine nicks & scratches and retains about 90% strong orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. Box of cartridges is very fine with intact label & band showing light wear & soil. 4-36418 JR78 (60,000-100,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2009 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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