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RARE NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY REVOLVER.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
RARE NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY REVOLVER.
SN 130161. Cal. 36. Usual configuration with 7-1/2" oct bbl, brass pin front sight and New-York U.S. America address. Right side of bbl lug is stamped "N.S.W POLICE" and the left side "NO 396". Left side of bbl lug and cyl have British proofs. Left side of frame has a small Colts patent and the large guard iron trigger guard and backstrap contain a 1-pc walnut grip with the partially visible matching SN in backstrap channel. Cyl is usual 6 shots with Ormsby Naval Battle Scene roll marking. SNs on the bbl lug, frame, trigger guard and buttstrap are accompanied by a tiny "E", which usually indicates extra polish for engraving. Those revolvers designated for the English market were usually stamped with a tiny "L". Accompanied by an orig New South Wales police leather flap holster with belt loop on back and thumb strap on front. Front of flap is stamped in an oval with an illegible name that begins with "W" and ends with "AY" over "BATHURST". Information from consignor states that this revolver and holster originated with the Bathurst, New South Wales police station. He states that Bathurst "is the centre of the area where the hunt for the notorious outlaws (bush rangers) John Gilbert and Ben Hall and their gang was centred". Consignor states that the Gilbert and Hall Gang made Jesse James and his gang look like minor players. The James Gang perpetrated about 20 robberies as compared to about 650 robberies by the Gilbert and Hall Gang, one of which netted over 14,000 pounds of gold. They had a reward of 4,000 pounds on their heads and were eventually killed by police in 1865. It is possibly that this revolver was in use during that period, possibly participation in the manhunt for those outlaws. According to The Book of Colt Firearms, Wilson, New South Wales purchased a very limited number of these revolvers. PROVENANCE: Dr. John Pickup Collection. CONDITION: Very good, all matching including wedge, cyl and grip. Overall retains a dark mottled patina with some scattered fine pitting, all addresses and legends are completely visible and legible. Hammer screw is a replacement. Cyl is matching patina and retains about 25% Ormsby Naval Battle Scene. Grip is sound, showing heavy wear, especially on bottom right edge, with nicks and dings and overall retains 35-40% orig varnish. Hammer is not solid in the half cock notch, otherwise mechanics are fine, strong dark bore with moderate pitting. Holster shows heavy wear with flexed surface and holes around the toe and others on back side. The leather tab stud on the flap is missing. 4-46405 JR92