3151

Outstanding Pair of Factory Rosewood Presentation Cased and Early Production Factory Engraved Colt M

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:14,000.00 USD Estimated At:35,000.00 - 55,000.00 USD
Outstanding Pair of Factory Rosewood Presentation Cased and Early Production Factory Engraved Colt M
These Engraved Colt Model 1849 Pocket revolvers manufactured in 1852. The revolvers are factory engraved and complete with a factory case and accessories. The revolvers have a high polish blue finish on the barrels and five-shot cylinders; the loading levers, frames and hammers have a color casehardened finish. The trigger guards and backstrap are silver-plated and the one-piece, highly figured, walnut grips have a high polish 'piano' finish. A punch-dot that indicates the component was designated by the factory for special finish is stamped on the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and backstrap of each revolver. "SAML COLT" is hand engraved on the top of each barrel flat in Old English lettering with scroll decorations. "COLTS/PATENT" is hand engraved on the left side of each frame; this revolver has the patent markings in an oval panel. The coverage on both revolvers approximates the later Colt "B" engraving. Although the coverage is identical the engraving was executed by different hands. The scroll engraving on this revolver is fine and is very similar to Gustave Young's early work. A similar difference in the level of engraving on two matched Model 1849 Pocket Revolvers made in 1852 is illustrated and described on page 31 of "THE BOOK OF COLT ENGRAVING" by R.L. Wilson. The revolver cylinders are roll-engraved with the Stage Holdup scene and "COLTS PATENT". All of the visible serial numbers match on both revolvers. The revolvers have a mahogany case with inlaid brass plate in the lid and inlaid brass lock escutcheon. The English style case has seven compartments and is lined with blue velvet. The case is complete with: (1) Eagle and Shield, fixed charger, powder flask embossed with "COLTS/PATENT" in two lines above two rows of stars, (2) carved bone percussion cap container, (3) brass, double cavity, bullet mold for balls and conical bullets; the mold is not fitted with a spruce cutter and is stamped "COLTS/PATENT" across the top of the block, (3) 250 cap tin Eley Bros. percussion caps with green label and blue paper wrapping and (4) key. Accompanying the revolvers is a very rare Colt broadsheet that features an illustration of a 2nd Model Dragoon revolver.
BBL: 6 inch octagon
Stock:
Gauge: 31 percussion
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: highly figured walnut
Serial Number: 49761
Condition: Very fine. This revolver retains at least 80% of the original finish. Most of the finish wear is confined to the cylinder. The cylinder pins are slightly flattened and the percussion nipples have moderate flash pitting. The engraving is crisp and deep and the markings are sharp. The grip is in excellent condition and retains 90% or more of the piano-finish varnish. The action is crisp and functions well. There is some light-moderate flash pitting on the percussion nipples and the sides of the hammer. The cylinder pins are battered. The grip is in very fine condition with about 85% of the piano finish and some minor handling marks. The case exterior is in fine condition with scattered, minor, handling and storage marks. The case interior is in fair condition. The lining has faded from blue to gray-green in exposed areas and there are several minor tears on the partitions and compression marks from contact with the revolvers. The powder flask is in fine condition with nearly 90% of the brown lacquer and gold-plated finish and the bone cap container is in very good condition. The bullet mold has clear markings and is in good overall condition with moderate wear. The Eley cap tin is in very fine condition; all of the green label and most of the blue wrapping remain intact. This a very attractive pair of rare factory engraved and cased Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolvers in very fine condition.

B) Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver
This revolver has the patent markings engraved on a banner. The scroll work on this revolver is more open and less detailed and the cross-hatched background lacks the refinement of revolver "A".
BBL: 6 inch octagon
Stock:
Gauge: 31 percussion
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: highly figured walnut
Serial Number: 46076
Condition: Very good. This revolver has about 75% of the original finish. The barrel shows more finish wear than revolver "A" but the cylinder retains more of the original blue finish. The case colors on the loading lever have a silver patina and the casehardened finish on the frame and hammer has slightly more wear than revolver "A".