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Extraordinary Deluxe Factory Exhibition Engraved Cased Colt London Model 1851 Navy Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:30,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
Extraordinary Deluxe Factory Exhibition Engraved Cased Colt London Model 1851 Navy Revolver
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Estimate: $30000 - 50000
Manufacturer: Colt Model: 1851
This exhibition engraved Colt London Model 1851 Navy revolver was manufactured in 1855. The revolver has the steel back strap and trigger guard, round head loading lever, trigger guard, frame and grip screws and hammer with knurled, bordered, spur. The revolver has a large oval trigger guard, loading lever cut-out with no bevel and capping cut-out with no capping groove. The barrel and cylinder are blued and the loading lever, frame and hammer are color case-hardened. The trigger guard and back strap are silver-plated. The one-piece grip is highly figured, fancy grain walnut with a varnish finish. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "- ADDRESS. COL. COLT LONDON.-" with arrows at both ends. The barrel marking has engraved double-line borders with flourishes at muzzle end. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene and "COLTS PATENT No.". "ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843" is roll-stamped in small letters along the forward edge of the cylinder and "Engraved by W.L. Ormsby New York" is stamped below the patent markings. "COLTS PATENT" is hand-engraved on a flowing ribbon on the left side of the frame. London "Crown/V" and "Crown/CP" proof and inspection marks are stamped on the left side of the barrel lug ahead of the wedge slot and above each cylinder chamber. The full serial number, "28319" is stamped on the loading lever, bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap and on the side of the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. A punch-dot used by Colt to indicate components designated for engraving or special finish is stamped next to the serial number on the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The revolver is factory deluxe engraved with tight Germanic scrollwork on a lined background. The engraving covers about two-thirds of the barrel, the sides and bottom of the loading lever, the ends of the wedge, all of the frame except for the capping cut-out, the top and sides of the hammer and most of the trigger guard and back strap. The back strap is engraved with a unique crest which features a monkey or baboon walking on all four legs above the script initials "TFG". The revolver is complete with an English style oak case. A rectangular brass plate on the case lid is engraved "Captn Blake". The case is lined with dark blue velvet and has seven compartments. One compartment has a top with an ivory handle. The case contains a full set of British accessories which include: (1) blued steel cleaning rod, (2) niter blue, L-shaped, nipple wrench/screw-driver, (3) blued, iron, straight leg bullet mold for round balls and conical bullets marked "COLTS/PATENT" on the spruce cutter, (4) pewter oil bottle with a "G &J.W./HAWKSLEY" cartouche on the bottom, (5) 500-cap tin of Eley percussion caps with green label, (6) London Navy style, bag-shaped powder flask with adjustable charger, lanyard ring, browned body, blued spring and gold-plated top and charger marked "JAMES S. DIXON/& SONS/SHEFFIELD and (7) assorted .36 caliber round balls. There is no indication of the identity of "Captn Blake" or the significance of the unusual crest on the back strap.
BBL: 7 1/2-In
Stock:
Gauge: 36 percussion
Finish: blue/case-hardened
Grips: varnished walnut
Serial Number: 28319
Condition:
The revolver is in very fine condition. The barrel has 30% of the original high polish blue finish and traces of blue are present on protected areas of the cylinder. Most of the case colors are present on the loading lever, frame and hammer but the colors are faded. The back strap and trigger guard retain close to 90% of the silver-plated finish. The revolver shows minimal firing wear; there is limited flash pitting on the percussion nipples, no flash pitting on the front of the cylinder and all of the safety pins remain intact. The sides of the hammer and the hammer notch have some very minor flash pitting. The factory markings and serial numbers are crisp and nearly all of the cylinder scene remains intact. The highly detailed engraving is extremely sharp. The grip is in very fine condition and shows very little wear. The case is in good overall condition. The exterior has scattered handling and storage marks. The blue velvet lining is slightly faded and is torn in two places from contact with the hammer spur and front sight. All of the accessories appear to be original to the case and are in very good condition. This is a very fine example of a deluxe, factory engraved and cased London Model 1851 Navy revolver with unique crest on the back strap.