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

RARE PAIR OF CASED ENGRAVED PRESENTATION COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVERS. SN 128369 & 128372. Cal. 36. Both revolvers are identical configuration with 7-1/2″ oct bbls, pin front sights and New-York U.S. America addresses. Both are marked “COLTS PATENT” on the left side of the frames. They have usual 6 shot cylinders with Ormsby Naval battle scene roll markings. The fourth model large guard silver plated trigger guards and backstraps contain very nicely figured deluxe varnished 1-pc walnut grips, matching numbered to their respective revolvers. Revolvers are blue and case colored and are nearly identically engraved by Gustave Young with full coverage foliate arabesque patterns on the frames which extend over the bbl lugs, top side flats of the bbls and rammer pivots. Hammers are deluxe engraved with wolf heads on each side of hammer noses and fish scale patterns on the spurs and top edges. Matching engraving extends down the backstraps over the buttstraps and trigger guards. Several of the scrolls terminate in flower blossoms and one scroll on the left side of the bbl lug of #128372 terminates in a very detailed eagle’s head. Backstraps are engraved in period script “COL. GEO. BOWLER / 46TH MASS REGT / FROM MORNING STAR CHAPTER”. Accompanied by what is probably their orig red velvet lined mahogany 2 gun casing which is compartmented in the bottom for the 2 revolvers, a rare double sided eagle and trophy of flags & arms flask with angle spout, a blued 2 cavity Colt’s patent mold with sprue cutter marked on the right side 36B, an “L” shaped nipple wrench, a packet of sage combustible cartridges, a lacquered tin of Ely’s caps, lead bullets and balls and a functioning key. The 46th Mass was raised in Hampden County, Mass in September & October 1862 by Reverend George Bowler who was elected the units first Colonel. Colonel Bowler was commissioned October 27, 1862, mustered in October 30,1862, resigned on December 23, 1962 and was discharged January 23, 1863 for disability. The regiment left camp on November 5th for Boston and was transported to Newbern, NC arriving there November 15th where they were assigned to Col. Lee’s brigade. Initial duties were guarding the railroad station at Newport barracks. They saw their first active duty and were present at the battles of Kinston, Whitehall and Goldsboro December 14-17, and were only slightly engaged suffering little loss. By December 20, they were encamped near the confluence of the Neuse and Trent rivers, about which time Col. Bowler resigned and subsequently was mustered out. Col. Bowler was ill during the December 14-17 campaign and although he did accompany the regiment in the field, it is unknown what his participation may have been. This pair of revolvers is pictured as figure 12 on page 12 of the May 1963 issue of The Gun Report in an article by John G. Hamilton wherein he gives credit to the Jay P. Altmayer Collection. PROVENANCE: Jay P. Altmayer Collection; C.G. Johnson Collection; Johnny Bassett Collection. Michael Leff Estate Collection. CONDITION: 1) SN 128369. Very fine, all matching including wedge and grip. Bbl retains 90-92% glossy orig blue with some sharp edge loses and minor flaking. Rammer and handle retain dark case colors as does the frame and hammer. Trigger guard and backstrap retain about 85% orig silver. Cylinder is a light brown patina with scattered light pitting and shows 40-50% Ormsby naval battle scene. Grip is sound showing light edge wear, a few nicks and scratches and retains most of its orig varnish. Wedge spring is broken. Mechanics are fine. Strong bright bore with scattered pitting. 2) SN 128372. Very fine, all matching. Bbl retains 30-40% thin orig blue with the balance flaked to a light patina. Remainder of revolver is nearly identical condition as above. Grip retains about 98% crisp orig varnish. Mechanics are fine. Bright shiny bore with a couple of spots of pitting. Case has a repaired crack across the lid and another in the bottom and retains most of a restored finish. Interior is moderately faded with light soil inside the lid and heavier soil in the bottom. Flask is extremely fine with a couple of small dents and retains most of its orig lacquered finish. Mold has a few small nicks on the sides and bottom with good sharp cavities and strong blue. Other accessories are fine. 4-49629 (58,000-90,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2013

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
	2165	$0.00	RARE PAIR OF CASED ENGRAVED PRESENTATION COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVERS. SN 128369 & 128372. Cal. 36. Both revolvers are identical configuration with 7-1/2″ oct bbls, pin front sights and New-York U.S. America addresses. Both are marked “COLTS PATENT” on the left side of the frames. They have usual 6 shot cylinders with Ormsby Naval battle scene roll markings. The fourth model large guard silver plated trigger guards and backstraps contain very nicely figured deluxe varnished 1-pc walnut grips, matching numbered to their respective revolvers. Revolvers are blue and case colored and are nearly identically engraved by Gustave Young with full coverage foliate arabesque patterns on the frames which extend over the bbl lugs, top side flats of the bbls and rammer pivots. Hammers are deluxe engraved with wolf heads on each side of hammer noses and fish scale patterns on the spurs and top edges. Matching engraving extends down the backstraps over the buttstraps and trigger guards. Several of the scrolls terminate in flower blossoms and one scroll on the left side of the bbl lug of #128372 terminates in a very detailed eagle’s head. Backstraps are engraved in period script “COL. GEO. BOWLER / 46TH MASS REGT / FROM MORNING STAR CHAPTER”. Accompanied by what is probably their orig red velvet lined mahogany 2 gun casing which is compartmented in the bottom for the 2 revolvers, a rare double sided eagle and trophy of flags & arms flask with angle spout, a blued 2 cavity Colt’s patent mold with sprue cutter marked on the right side 36B, an “L” shaped nipple wrench, a packet of sage combustible cartridges, a lacquered tin of Ely’s caps, lead bullets and balls and a functioning key. The 46th Mass was raised in Hampden County, Mass in September & October 1862 by Reverend George Bowler who was elected the units first Colonel. Colonel Bowler was commissioned October 27, 1862, mustered in October 30,1862, resigned on December 23, 1962 and was discharged January 23, 1863 for disability. The regiment left camp on November 5th for Boston and was transported to Newbern, NC arriving there November 15th where they were assigned to Col. Lee’s brigade. Initial duties were guarding the railroad station at Newport barracks. They saw their first active duty and were present at the battles of Kinston, Whitehall and Goldsboro December 14-17, and were only slightly engaged suffering little loss. By December 20, they were encamped near the confluence of the Neuse and Trent rivers, about which time Col. Bowler resigned and subsequently was mustered out. Col. Bowler was ill during the December 14-17 campaign and although he did accompany the regiment in the field, it is unknown what his participation may have been. This pair of revolvers is pictured as figure 12 on page 12 of the May 1963 issue of The Gun Report in an article by John G. Hamilton wherein he gives credit to the Jay P. Altmayer Collection. PROVENANCE: Jay P. Altmayer Collection; C.G. Johnson Collection; Johnny Bassett Collection. Michael Leff Estate Collection. CONDITION: 1) SN 128369. Very fine, all matching including wedge and grip. Bbl retains 90-92% glossy orig blue with some sharp edge loses and minor flaking. Rammer and handle retain dark case colors as does the frame and hammer. Trigger guard and backstrap retain about 85% orig silver. Cylinder is a light brown patina with scattered light pitting and shows 40-50% Ormsby naval battle scene. Grip is sound showing light edge wear, a few nicks and scratches and retains most of its orig varnish. Wedge spring is broken. Mechanics are fine. Strong bright bore with scattered pitting. 2) SN 128372. Very fine, all matching. Bbl retains 30-40% thin orig blue with the balance flaked to a light patina. Remainder of revolver is nearly identical condition as above. Grip retains about 98% crisp orig varnish. Mechanics are fine. Bright shiny bore with a couple of spots of pitting. Case has a repaired crack across the lid and another in the bottom and retains most of a restored finish. Interior is moderately faded with light soil inside the lid and heavier soil in the bottom. Flask is extremely fine with a couple of small dents and retains most of its orig lacquered finish. Mold has a few small nicks on the sides and bottom with good sharp cavities and strong blue. Other accessories are fine. 4-49629 (58,000-90,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2013 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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