RARE CASED ENGRAVED INVENTOR PRESENTATION COLT MODEL 2 1855 ROOT SIDE HAMMER POCKET REVOLVER TO JAMES E. BIRCH OWNER OF THE “JACKASS MAIL”.

RARE CASED ENGRAVED INVENTOR PRESENTATION COLT MODEL 2 1855 ROOT SIDE HAMMER POCKET REVOLVER TO JAMES E. BIRCH OWNER OF THE “JACKASS MAIL”. SN 830. Cal. 28. All blue finish with 3-1/2″ oct bbl, brass pin front sight, usual address on top flat with pointing hand motif. It has 5-shot unfluted cylinder with cabin & Indian fight scene. Mounted with fancy burled walnut 1-pc grip. Revolver is factory engraved with about 60% coverage fine foliate arabesque patterns with punch dot background. Back strap is engraved in period script “James E. Birch / From the Inventor / Saml Colt”. Accompanied by an orig burgundy velvet lined mahogany casing compartmented in bottom for the revolver, a dbl sided correct size E Pluribus Unum eagle flask, a 2-cavity blued “COLT’S PATENT” mold with sprue cutter, an L-shaped nipple wrench, a rare wood handle flat blade screw driver and a lacquered tin of Eley’s caps. While Root revolvers are not uncommon, cased ones are quite rare and engraved inventor presentation pieces are extremely rare. James E. Birch was owner of the “Jackass Mail” (the first real “fast” mail in the West)a stagecoach line that ran from San Antonio, TX to San Diego, CA from July 9, 1857 to December 1858. He of course predated the famous Pony Express which is generally given credit as the first “fast” mail. A very nice gun presented to a historic figure of the old West. CONDITION: Very good to fine, matching including cylinder. Overall retains 50-60% orig blue, stronger in sheltered areas turning plum elsewhere with some minor surface etching on the bbl. Cylinder is a gray/brown patina and overall retains 60-70% Cabin/Indian fight scene. Grip shows light edge wear with a tiny chip in the toe and retains most of its orig varnish. Cyl pin crossbolt retainer screw and spring are missing and the cascable from the cylinder pin is also missing. Some of the screws are slightly battered. Mechanics are fine, dark pitted bore. Case has a repaired crack by the left rear hinge and a small crack in right front corner of lid, otherwise is completely sound with light storage & handling marks and retains most of its orig varnish. Interior is moderately to heavily faded with moderate soil in the bottom and damage from the front sight. Partitions are solid. Flask has a few minor dings & dents and retains 25-30% orig finish. Other accessories are fine. 4-39105 JR94 (10,000-15,000)

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
	2218	$28,750.00	RARE CASED ENGRAVED INVENTOR PRESENTATION COLT MODEL 2 1855 ROOT SIDE HAMMER POCKET REVOLVER TO JAMES E. BIRCH OWNER OF THE “JACKASS MAIL”. SN 830. Cal. 28. All blue finish with 3-1/2″ oct bbl, brass pin front sight, usual address on top flat with pointing hand motif. It has 5-shot unfluted cylinder with cabin & Indian fight scene. Mounted with fancy burled walnut 1-pc grip. Revolver is factory engraved with about 60% coverage fine foliate arabesque patterns with punch dot background. Back strap is engraved in period script “James E. Birch / From the Inventor / Saml Colt”. Accompanied by an orig burgundy velvet lined mahogany casing compartmented in bottom for the revolver, a dbl sided correct size E Pluribus Unum eagle flask, a 2-cavity blued “COLT’S PATENT” mold with sprue cutter, an L-shaped nipple wrench, a rare wood handle flat blade screw driver and a lacquered tin of Eley’s caps. While Root revolvers are not uncommon, cased ones are quite rare and engraved inventor presentation pieces are extremely rare. James E. Birch was owner of the “Jackass Mail” (the first real “fast” mail in the West)a stagecoach line that ran from San Antonio, TX to San Diego, CA from July 9, 1857 to December 1858. He of course predated the famous Pony Express which is generally given credit as the first “fast” mail. A very nice gun presented to a historic figure of the old West. CONDITION: Very good to fine, matching including cylinder. Overall retains 50-60% orig blue, stronger in sheltered areas turning plum elsewhere with some minor surface etching on the bbl. Cylinder is a gray/brown patina and overall retains 60-70% Cabin/Indian fight scene. Grip shows light edge wear with a tiny chip in the toe and retains most of its orig varnish. Cyl pin crossbolt retainer screw and spring are missing and the cascable from the cylinder pin is also missing. Some of the screws are slightly battered. Mechanics are fine, dark pitted bore. Case has a repaired crack by the left rear hinge and a small crack in right front corner of lid, otherwise is completely sound with light storage & handling marks and retains most of its orig varnish. Interior is moderately to heavily faded with moderate soil in the bottom and damage from the front sight. Partitions are solid. Flask has a few minor dings & dents and retains 25-30% orig finish. Other accessories are fine. 4-39105 JR94 (10,000-15,000) 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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