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Exceptional Colt Model 1861 Navy Conversion Revolver in 38 Rimfire with Ivory Grips

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:6,500.00 USD Estimated At:13,000.00 - 18,000.00 USD
Exceptional Colt Model 1861 Navy Conversion Revolver in 38 Rimfire with Ivory Grips
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This is an excellent example of a Colt Cartridge Conversion Model 1861 Navy revolver that was manufactured circa 1873 to 1875. The revolver has a high polish blue barrel and cylinder, color casehardened hammer, frame and loading gate and silver-plated, brass trigger guard and back strap. The revolver is fitted with Colt ivory grips. The revolver has a Richards-Mason baseplate, the loading gate has an external spring secured by a screw in the frame above the trigger screw, the rimfire hammer has the firing pin attached by two lateral rivets, the hammer spur is knurled and bordered, the barrel lug has been plugged and the ejector is attached by a screw entering from the left side of the lug and the face of the ejector head has concentric rings. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-" in one line. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped: "- PAT. JULY, 25, 1875-/- PAT. JULY, 2, 1872.-" in two lines. The cylinder is roll engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene and "COLTS PATENT No.". The left shoulder of the trigger guard is stamped "36 CAL". The full serial number, "31488" is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The cylinder is stamped with the partial serial number "448" and the loading gate is numbered "1448". All of the visible serial numbers match. In "THE BOOK OF COLT FIREARMS" author R.L. Wilson states that Colt manufactured approximately 2200 Model 1861 Navy Conversion revolvers; about 400 of these revolvers were in 38 rimfire. Most Model 1861 navy conversions were manufactured for the U.S.Navy. Civilian Model 1861 Navy Conversion revolvers like this example are rare.
BBL: 7 1/2 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 38 RF
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: ivory
Serial Number: 31448
Condition: Excellent. The revolver retains 95% of the bright original high polish finish. The barrel and cylinder have most of the high polish blue finish with a few minor scratches and some finish wear on the rear half of the ejector housing. The cylinder has nearly all of the naval scene intact. The frame, hammer and loading gate retain nearly 97% of the color casehardened finish and the case colors are vivid. The frame screws have most of the niter blue finish. The trigger guard and back strap have some light handling wear and retain about 80% of the silver-plated finish. The ivory grips have shrunk slightly along the back strap. The grips otherwise are in very fine condition; wear is limited to a very small chip on front edge at the bottom of the left grip and a small repaired crack on the bottom front edge of the right grip. The action is crisp and functions perfectly. This is an exceptional example of a Colt Model 1861 Navy Conversion Revolver.