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RARE COLT LONDON NAVY BRITISH MILITARY CONTRACT PERCUSSION REVOLVER.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,750.00 USD Estimated At:3,500.00 - 5,000.00 USD
RARE COLT LONDON NAVY BRITISH MILITARY CONTRACT PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 8153. Cal. 36. Usual configuration with 7-1/2" oct bbl, brass pin front sight and 1-line "COL: COLT, LONDON" address with spears. Left side of bbl lug is stamped with a small "WD" beneath a small vertical arrow. Left side of frame is marked "COLTS PATENT". Cyl is usual 6-shots with Ormsby Naval battle scene roll marking and all six safety pins are prominent & serviceable. Cyl is unusual in that it is without British proofs, as is the bbl lug, having only the "WD" and broad arrow. The blued steel, large guard trigger guard & backstrap contain a 1-pc walnut grip matching numbered to this revolver. According to '51 Colt Navies, Swayze, this revolver was one of about 14,000 purchased by the British government for the Navy and later the Army. They were issued to the British Baltic & Black Sea fleets. These revolvers are rarely encountered today, especially in orig configuration with any orig finish. Given their service in the salt atmosphere they are frequently encountered with rust pitting and mismatched parts. PROVENANCE: Dr. John M. Pickup Collection. CONDITION: Fine, all matching including wedge, cyl & grip. Bbl retains crisp, sharp edges and a light gray patina with traces of blue in the most sheltered areas; rammer retains case colors turned dark; frame & hammer also retain dark case colors; cyl is mostly a light gray patina and shows 50-60% Ormsby Naval battle scene; trigger guard retains 25-30% orig blue with balance a blue/gray patina; backstrap has a matching patina. Grip shows moderate to heavy wear with chipped toes and a few light nicks & scratches and overall retains a hand worn patina. Mechanics are fine, strong dark bore with moderate to heavy pitting. 4-46411 JR88