1449

Exceptional Gustave Young Deluxe Engraved, Factory Cased and Civil War Officer Inscribed Colt Model

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:25,000.00 USD Estimated At:50,000.00 - 90,000.00 USD
Exceptional Gustave Young Deluxe Engraved, Factory Cased and Civil War Officer Inscribed Colt Model
Colt factory engraved and cased, Model 1851 Navy Revolver that was manufactured at the beginning of the Civil War in 1861. This early, Fourth Model, Navy revolver features a large rounded trigger guard, large recoil shield without capping cut-out channel and thin loading lever catch. The revolver has a high polish blue finish on the barrel and cylinder, color casehardened loading lever, frame and hammer and brass, silver-plated, trigger guard and backstrap. The one piece stock is fancy, highly figured, walnut with a high polish varnish finish. The barrel is fitted with a dovetailed front sight with nickel-silver blade. The hammer spur has bordered knurling. The revolver features deluxe, Germanic Scroll engraving on a punch-dot background executed by master engraver Gustave Young. The tight scrollwork covers one half of the top barrel flat, both sides of the barrel lug, the entire frame, the hammer top and sides, the bottom of the trigger guard and the backstrap and butt. The left barrel lug is engraved with a hound's head surrounded by scroll-work. The sides of the hammer are engraved with Young's trademark wolf head motif. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the legend: "-ADDRESS SAML COLT HARTFORD CT." in a engraved panel with scalloped edges and a detailed flourish on one end. "COLT'S/PATENT" is hand engraved in a scroll work panel on the left side of the frame. The inscription panel on the backstrap is engraved: "Lieut Jas B. Smith/Co D National Guards 2nd Regt Philada" in two lines. A Masonic emblem is engraved on the first line of the inscription. The cylinder is roll-stamped with the standard Texas Navy battle scene, "Colt's Patent No." and the serial number. The full serial number is visible on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, backstrap and the cylinder. The partial serial number, "8260" is located on the top of the loading lever. All of the visible serial numbers match. The revolver is complete with a Colt, American style mahogany case with red velvet lining. The case has five compartments and is complete with accessories that include: (1) lacquered 250 cap tin of Eley Bros. percussion caps with green paper label, (2) twelve .36 caliber round balls and a conical bullet, (3) blued, iron, .36 caliber bullet mold for round balls and heeled conical bullets marked: "COLT'S/PATENT" on the spruce cutter and "36 B" on the right block, (4) second type, Dixon, 1851 Navy powder flask with gold-plated fixed charger and top, dark brown lacquer-finished body embossed crossed revolving rifles and revolvers above "COLTS/PATENT" and a stand of flags and arms, (5) niter blue L-shaped nipple wrench/screwdriver and (6) sealed packet of six Hazard Powder Company "Pressed Waterproof Cartridges" for "Colt's Navy Pistol. Cal. 36/100".
BBL: 7 1/2 inch octagon
Stock:
Gauge: 36 percussion
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: fancy burl walnut
Serial Number: 98260


Excellent. The revolver retains 80% of the bright original blue, casehardened and silver-plated finish. Most of the original, high polish blue finish is present on the barrel with some finish loss on the right side near the muzzle and wear on the high points and edges. The cylinder retains all of the roll-engraved naval battle scene. There is light flash pitting on the nipples and the cylinder face and back. All of the cylinder safety pins are intact. The loading lever, frame and hammer have approximately 90% of the original casehardened finish with strong case colors. Finish wear is limited to some minor flash pitting on the sides and face of the hammer. The trigger guard and backstrap have some edge wear on the trigger guard and butt; most of the finish wear is concentrated on the backstrap above the inscription. The screw heads have nearly all of the original niter blue finish with minimal screwdriver marks.The highly figured walnut grip is in very fine condition with some finish loss on the sides but no significant dents or scratches. The engraving is crisp and deep and the barrel legend, patent and serial numbers are sharp. The action is tight and functions perfectly. The case exterior is in fine condition with most of the varnish finish and only scattered storage and handling marks. The case interior is in very good condition. The lining on the lid is lightly faded with no tears or pressure marks. The lining on the case bottom and compartment sides shows the expected pressure marks from contact with the revolver and accessories and is slightly faded but has no significant damage. The cap tin is in fine condition with most of the brown lacquer finish and all of the green paper label with some light stains. The flask is in excellent condition with no dents and 90% or more of the brown lacquer finish on the body. The brass charger and top have 90% or more of the gold-plated finish and the spring retains the niter blue finish. The bullet mold is in very good condition with 85% or more of the original blue finish and little wear. The screwdriver has 85% or more of the niter blue finish. The cartridge packet is in excellent condition with clear markings and minimal wear. This is an exceptional example of a Gustave Young deluxe engraved, factory cased Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver with Civil War inscription.