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EXTRAORDINARILY RARE, POSSIBLY ONE OF A KIND, ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER CUT

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:20,000.00 USD Estimated At:40,000.00 - 70,000.00 USD
EXTRAORDINARILY RARE, POSSIBLY ONE OF A KIND, ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER CUT
SN 59482. Cal. 36. Usual configuration with 7-1/2" oct bbl, dovetail front sight with German silver blade and an unusual dovetailed 3-leaf rear sight in the aft end of the top flat which partially obscures the New York City address. Left side of frame is engraved "COLTS PATENT" in a pillow shape. It has usual 6-shot cyl with Ormsby Naval battle scene roll marking. The silver plated iron large guard trigger guard & backstrap contain a beautiful oil finished, burl walnut 1-pc grip. Revolver is beautifully engraved by Gustave Young with full coverage foliate arabesque patterns on the frame, two of which terminate in flower blossoms. Hammer also received Mr. Young's deluxe treatment with a wolf's head on each side of the hammer nose, foliate arabesque patterns on the shank and fish scales on the top edge & sides of the spur. Engraving extends over bbl lug and top side flats of bbl with matching patterns on the rammer pivot. Scrolls on each side of lug terminate in flower blossoms. The top flat is engraved with dash & dot borders around the address and around the muzzle. Top of backstrap is engraved with Mr. Young's typical fan pattern with matching foliate arabesque patterns down the backstrap, on the buttstrap & trigger guard. Screw heads are all engraved. The backstrap is cut in about the center with two rectangular slots that are about 7/16" long x 5/32" wide for the first type shoulder stock, unfortunately the whereabouts of which is currently unknown. The backstrap channel of the grip has corresponding cuts in the wood and the hand scribed matching SN is located near the heel. This may be the only known surviving engraved '51 Navy revolver cut for first type shoulder stock. Accompanied by a small binder of information regarding this revolver. PROVENANCE: Dr. John M. Pickup Collection. CONDITION: Fine, all matching including wedge, cyl & grip. Bbl retains 50-60% mottled blue mixed with flaked, not worn, medium patina; rammer & handle retain dark case colors; frame & hammer also retain dark case colors; cyl is mostly a blue/gray patina and retains 60-70% Ormsby Naval battle scene roll marking; trigger guard & backstrap retain nearly all of their orig silver plating, showing a little wear around the slots in the backstrap. Grip is sound with sharp edges showing light wear and retains most of its orig oil finish. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with light to moderate pitting. This is truly an exceptional & rare Navy unlikely to ever be encountered again. 4-46435 JR104