FINE GUSTAVE YOUNG DELUXE ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY REVOLVER.

FINE GUSTAVE YOUNG DELUXE ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY REVOLVER. SN 96469. Cal. 36. Fine engraved 4th Model 51 Navy with 7-1/2″ oct bbl, dovetailed front sight and 1-line Hartford address. It has silver plated trigger guard & back strap containing a checkered 1-pc ivory grip. Revolver is beautifully engraved in Gustave Young’s deluxe patterns with full coverage foliate arabesque patterns on frame & recoil shields with some scrolls terminating in flower blossoms. Bbl lug and rammer pivot are engraved to match with Mr. Young’s signature bird head incorporated into one scroll on left side of lug and flower blossoms on right side. Engraving extends over top two side flats with a border pattern around address terminating at muzzle end in a heart shaped pattern. Top of back strap has Mr. Young’s typical fan pattern with matching foliate arabesque patterns near the top of back strap, at the heel, on butt strap and trigger guard. Left side of frame has “COLT’S PATENT” hand engraved in a pillow shaped pattern. Hammer is deluxe engraved with a wolf’s head on each side of hammer nose. Wedge is engraved on both ends. Screw heads are not engraved. The 51 Navy was one of the most popular side arms prior to and throughout the Civil War and was extremely popular on the frontier during the great westward expansion with citizens from all facets of frontier life, including lawmen, outlaws & cowboys. It remained popular until the advent of the large bore cartridge revolver in the 1870’s. Some of the more famous lawmen and outlaws are recorded as having carried & used the 51 Navy to great effect. One of the more prominent personalities known to have used the 51 Navy was Wild Bill Hickock who allegedly carried a matched pair even after the Single Action Army was introduced. This revolver is a fine example of presentation quality, undoubtedly intended for someone of importance. PROVENANCE: John Irwin Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very good to fine, all matching including wedge, except grip which is unnumbered. Overall retains an even light to medium blue/brown patina with scattered light pitting on the bbl & cyl. Frame & hammer retain identical condition. Cyl is a smooth gray/brown patina and retains 60-65% Ormsby Naval battle scene. Trigger guard & back strap retain most of their orig silver plating, thin on trigger bow and center of back strap. Grip has a chipped left toe and a repair in right side with numerous fine age lines. Grips show heavy wear and retain a wonderful aged ivory patina. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with moderate pitting. 4-36787 JR56 (6,000-10,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2010

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
	2198	$6,325.00	FINE GUSTAVE YOUNG DELUXE ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY REVOLVER. SN 96469. Cal. 36. Fine engraved 4th Model 51 Navy with 7-1/2″ oct bbl, dovetailed front sight and 1-line Hartford address. It has silver plated trigger guard & back strap containing a checkered 1-pc ivory grip. Revolver is beautifully engraved in Gustave Young’s deluxe patterns with full coverage foliate arabesque patterns on frame & recoil shields with some scrolls terminating in flower blossoms. Bbl lug and rammer pivot are engraved to match with Mr. Young’s signature bird head incorporated into one scroll on left side of lug and flower blossoms on right side. Engraving extends over top two side flats with a border pattern around address terminating at muzzle end in a heart shaped pattern. Top of back strap has Mr. Young’s typical fan pattern with matching foliate arabesque patterns near the top of back strap, at the heel, on butt strap and trigger guard. Left side of frame has “COLT’S PATENT” hand engraved in a pillow shaped pattern. Hammer is deluxe engraved with a wolf’s head on each side of hammer nose. Wedge is engraved on both ends. Screw heads are not engraved. The 51 Navy was one of the most popular side arms prior to and throughout the Civil War and was extremely popular on the frontier during the great westward expansion with citizens from all facets of frontier life, including lawmen, outlaws & cowboys. It remained popular until the advent of the large bore cartridge revolver in the 1870’s. Some of the more famous lawmen and outlaws are recorded as having carried & used the 51 Navy to great effect. One of the more prominent personalities known to have used the 51 Navy was Wild Bill Hickock who allegedly carried a matched pair even after the Single Action Army was introduced. This revolver is a fine example of presentation quality, undoubtedly intended for someone of importance. PROVENANCE: John Irwin Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very good to fine, all matching including wedge, except grip which is unnumbered. Overall retains an even light to medium blue/brown patina with scattered light pitting on the bbl & cyl. Frame & hammer retain identical condition. Cyl is a smooth gray/brown patina and retains 60-65% Ormsby Naval battle scene. Trigger guard & back strap retain most of their orig silver plating, thin on trigger bow and center of back strap. Grip has a chipped left toe and a repair in right side with numerous fine age lines. Grips show heavy wear and retain a wonderful aged ivory patina. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with moderate pitting. 4-36787 JR56 (6,000-10,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2010 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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