3279

Rare Factory Engraved Colt Second Model 1851 Squareback Navy Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:7,000.00 USD Estimated At:14,000.00 - 22,500.00 USD
Rare Factory Engraved Colt Second Model 1851 Squareback Navy Revolver
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Estimate: $14000 - 22500
This is an extremely rare example of a factory engraved Colt Model squareback 1851 Navy revolver that was manufactured in 1851. The revolver has the squareback brass trigger guard, wedge screw located above the wedge and wedge slot that passes thru the cylinder pin. The revolver is factory engraved with the early Hartford engraving described by R.L. Wilson as "vine style" in "THE BOOK OF COLT ENGRAVING". This engraving consists of well-executed scroll work on the frame, hammer, backstrap, trigger guard, barrel lug and upper barrel flats and the sides of the loading lever. Many of the engraved panels have chain or double line borders. A punch-dot stamped above or below the serial number on the barrel lug, loading lever, frame, trigger guard and backstrap indicates that the component was designated by Colt for special finish or engraving. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the legend: "-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-". "COLTS/PATENT" is stamped in small letters on the left side of the frame. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene and "COLTS PATENT NO". The full serial number, "3171" is stamped on the loading lever, barrel lug, cylinder arbor pin, frame, cylinder, trigger guard and backstrap. The bottom of the wedge is numbered "669".
BBL: 7 1/2 inch octagon
Stock:
Gauge: 36 percussion
Finish: blue/case-hardened
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 3171
Condition: Very good. The revolver has an untouched dark patina overall. There is some roughness with scattered pitting on the barrel. The front and rear faces of the cylinder are flash pitted, the safety pins are battered and 60% of the naval scene remains. The brass trigger guard and backstrap retain 40% of the silver-plated finish. The grip has moderate handling wear with scattered handling marks and retains 30% of the varnish finish. The engraving, address, patent markings and serial numbers are sharp. This is a rare example of a early production Squareback Model 1851 Navy revolver with early vine style factory engraving.