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RARE AUSTRALIAN VICTORIA POLICE COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY REVOLVER.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,250.00 USD Estimated At:6,500.00 - 10,000.00 USD
RARE AUSTRALIAN VICTORIA POLICE COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY REVOLVER.
SN 166008. Cal. 36. Fourth Model Navy with 7-1/2" oct bbl, brass pin front sight and 1 line New-York U.S. America address. Left side of the bbl lug and cyl have British proofs and all of the SN on the bottom of revolver are accompanied by a small "L" indicating that this revolver was designated for the British market. Bottom of bbl lug, forward of the SN, is hand engraved "G.20". This is a designation of the Richmond District of Victoria State, which is at Melbourne, the location of the police depot and stables. Left side of frame has a lightly struck Colts patent with the cal marking on the left shoulder of trigger guard. The large guard iron trigger guard and backstrap contain a 1-pc walnut grip with last 4 digits of matching SN in backstrap channel. Right side of grip stamped "300". Cyl is usual 6 shots with Ormsby Naval Battle Scene roll marking. Accompanied by an orig, heavy brown leather, flap holster with belt loop riveted to the back and a brass stud for the flap closure. It has a Cheyenne toe plug. Inside the flap is stamped with what is probably the SN of the orig revolver with which it was issued "168518". This number corresponds to the known serial range of Victoria Police Navies and is consecutive to 168519 as listed on plate 127, pg 189 of '51 Colt Navies, Swayze. According to the reference notation, the colony of Victoria, Australia contracted for 250 of these revolvers and 10,000 rounds of ammunition on June 9, 1864. The few revolvers of this contract known today are rarely found with high orig finish as they were issued to mounted police to patrol the gold fields in their district and, like the Western American frontier contemporaries, served under continuous and hard circumstances with limited maintenance. PROVENANCE: Dr. John Pickup Collection. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Bbl retains 60-70% blue with the loss areas flaked to a medium patina. Rammer pivot retains strong case colors and the handle dark case colors. Frame is mostly a gray brown patina. Hammer retains dark case colors. Trigger screw is a replacement. Cyl is a gray brown patina with scattered fine pitting and retains about 50% Ormsby Naval Battle Scene. Trigger guard and backstrap are also a gray brown patina. Grip has a chipped right toe, otherwise is sound, with small chips on left edge and overall retains 60-70% orig varnish. Hammer is not solid in half cock notch, otherwise mechanics are fine, worn dark bore. Holster has a lightly crackled flap, otherwise is sound and intact, retaining most of its orig brown finish. 4-46400 JR93