3186

Scarce and Desirable London Tool Room Model Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 7,500.00 USD
Scarce and Desirable London Tool Room Model Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver
Buyer's Premium is 19.5% by credit card, reduced to 17% if payment is made by cash, check or wire transfer. Contact Rock Island Auction Company to complete your registration with the auction house.
This is a First Model 1851 London Navy revolver that was manufactured in 1853. This revolver was one of the first London Navy revolvers assembled in London with parts manufactured at the Colt Hartford factory. These early London Navy revolvers are identified by British proof marks on the left side of the barrel lug and cylinder, small rounded brass trigger guards and brass back straps. The loading lever is the early pattern with the attachment screw for the rammer entering from the right side. The revolver has a commercial blue finish on the barrel and cylinder, casehardened loading lever, frame and hammer and brass trigger guard and back strap. The one-piece walnut grip has a varnish finish. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped "-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW YORK CITY-". The left side of the frame is stamped "COLTS/PATENT" in two lines. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene, "COLT'S PATENT No." and "Engraved by W.L. Ormsby New York". British "Crown/V" and "Crown/GP" proof marks are stamped on the left side of the barrel lug and over the each chamber of the cylinder. The serial number, "87" is stamped on the loading lever, wedge, barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and cylinder arbor pin. The cylinder is numbered "007".
BBL: 7 1/2 Inch octagon
Stock:
Gauge: 36 percussion
Finish: blue/case-hardened
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 87
Condition: Fine. The revolver retains 40% of the original blue finish The barrel has most of the thinning blue finish on the side and bottom. The upper flats and contact points have a smooth silver gray patina. The cylinder has a silver gray patina and retains 95% of the naval scene. The safety pins and rear face of the cylinder is battered. The loading lever has most of the faded case colors. The casehardened finish on the frame and hammer have silvered. 25% of the casehardened finish is present in protected areas. The brass trigger guard and back strap have an untouched age patina. The grip is very fine with 80% of the original varnish finish and numerous scattered minor handling marks. The barrel and frame markings, naval scene, serial numbers, and British proof marks are crisp. This is a fine example of a very early tool room London Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver.