4173 VERY FINE CIVIL WAR COLT FACTORY ENGRAVED MODEL

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This item SOLD at 2023 Nov 06 @ 13:35UTC-4 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 10,000.00 USD
Estimated at 20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
1851 NAVY REVOLVER WITH ENGRAVED "AMERICAN INDIAN WEARING WAR BONNET". Cal. 36. S# 98258. This is an exemplary factory engraved Colt Navy shipped to Colts New York office February 11, 1861. Factory letter confirms configuration, factory engraved with blue finish. Revolver has survived in beautiful condition retaining most of its original finish. Engraving & special finish is noted by a punch dot under each serial number dating from the early years of the Gustave Young shop. The frame and barrel housing are fully covered with Gustave Young trademark scrolls terminating in four petaled flowers with punch dot backgrounds. There are a handful of revolvers in this serial range which have large figural terminations to the front scroll on barrel housing. In this case it is a unique Indian wearing a feathered bonnet. The late Larry Wilson features this revolver in both of his excellent Colt engraving books and this is probably the only example known. Wilson states: "the Indian head motif is a rarity". Revolver is in standard configuration of 4th model navies, 7.5" octagonal barrel, large trigger guard, one line Hartford address, blue and case color finish. Deluxe engraving, fire blue inset front sight with small German silver blade is another upgraded feature as is the fancy burled walnut grips with high gloss varnish. "COLTS PATENT" is engraved on the left side of frame, Ormsby Texas Naval Battle scene on cylinder, grip frame is silver plated. UNACCOMPANIED ACCESSORIES: Colt Factory letter. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching SNs including wedge & grip. Revolver retains about 60% bright factory blue on barrel & 10-20% on cylinder. Frame, loading assembly, and hammer are overall silver patina with traces of case color, back strap and trigger guard retain about 90% original silver plate. Grips retain virtually all their original bright factory varnish with light edge wear & minor scratches. Mechanically fine with shiny rifled bore with small patches of light pitting. PROVENANCE: S.P. Stevens Collection 1970. (01-24185/JS). $20,000-30,000.