Image Lot Price Description





2297
$6,490.00

TWO COLT 1851 LONDON NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVERS UPPER & LOWER CANADA. SN 28973 & 28157. Cal. 36. Shortly after the Revolutionary War large numbers of Crown loyalists left the U.S. and settled in Canada. With this influx of approx. 40,000 new citizens the government of Canada decided to divide the Eastern portion of the country into two separate regions named Upper & Lower Canada. Upper Canada is the Canadian West, now Ontario, and Lower Canada is Eastern Canada, now the Province of Quebec. Up until about 1854 the Canadian government relied on the British government to supply their arms, ammunition & accoutrements. However, by that time the British Army was heavily involved in the Crimean War and with her other military commitments around the world, the British resources were somewhat strained. Britain asked the Canadian government to try to supply their own military’s requirements so in 1854 Canada formed a commission which was sent to Great Britain in 1855 where they purchased arms for the militia including 800 Model 1851 Colt Navy revolvers. The grips on these revolvers were distinctively marked for Upper & Lower Canada with the company and volunteer number along with “UC” for Upper Canada and “LC” for Lower Canada. #28973 is marked, upside down, on the left grip, “UC / D / 18” signifying Company D Volunteer #18 of the Upper Canada Militia. #28157 is marked on the left grip “LC / D / 29″ signifying assignment to Company D Volunteer #29 of the Lower Canada Militia. Both revolvers are identical, standard ’51 Navy revolvers with 7-1/2” oct bbls, brass pin front sights and 1-line London addresses with arrows. Both have British proof marks on left sides of bbl lugs and cyls. Both have small “COLT’S PATENT” on left sides of frames and have large loop steel trigger guards & back straps containing 1-pc walnut grips. Accompanied by 5-pages of an article by Paul S. Lederer which appeared in the Feb. 1989 issue of Arms Collection, which deals with the Upper & Lower Canada Colts. CONDITION: #28973: Good to very good, all matching including the grip. Frame retains faint smoky case colors with balance of metal a cleaned gray patina with very fine freckling on the bbl. Cyl retains 25-30% light Ormsby Naval battle scene with a couple of spots of very fine pitting and four of the safety pins are serviceable. Grip has chipped toes with a smooth hand worn patina. Hammer is not solid in safety notch, otherwise mechanics are fine, brilliant shiny bore. #28157: Good to very good, all matching with two numbers partially visible in the back strap channel of grip. Frame retains smoky case colors with balance of metal a cleaned gray patina. Bbl edges show moderate to heavy wear. Cyl retains faint traces of the Ormsby Naval battle scene with all six safety pins serviceable. Grip retains most of an old refinish with some minor fill on left side at the frame. Mechanics are fine, strong sharp bore. 4-41727 JR1 (4,500-6,500)


Auction: Firearms - Spring 2011
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.