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Colt Pocket Navy Cartridge Conversion Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:1,800.00 - 2,600.00 USD
Colt Pocket Navy Cartridge Conversion Revolver
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Offered to you in this lot is a extremely limited production, Colt Pocket Navy Cartridge Conversion revolver, serial number 18779. Only approximately 2,000 of these rare revolvers were made by Colt from 1873-1875 and all were made for the popular .38 Rim Fire cartridge. Survival rate is very small and few of these limited production arms exist today in any condition. This example is particularly interesting in that it was manufactured by Colt using both new parts and converted obsolete percussion revolver parts. All numbers match including the barrel, cylinder, frame, trigger guard and back strap. Also interesting is that the brass frame still retains the “36 CAL” stamping above the left rear side of the trigger guard. This was a holdover from the original percussion Pocket Navy caliber designation. Also, the cylinder has the double serial number stamping (5095 and 8779) indicating that the cylinder was taken from a previously serial numbered percussion revolver, converted to cartridge and correctly re-numbered by Colt at the factory to this revolver. This is discussed with supporting photographs in the excellent classic book A Study of Colt Conversions by Bruce McDowell. Several revolvers described and photographed in this book with identical double cylinder numbering are very closely numbered to this example. This is a particularly fine revolver with fine address on the correct 4 ½” octagon barrel, “ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA.” The left side of the frame is correctly stamped with 1871 and 1872 patent dates. Additionally, the cylinder retains a fine “Stagecoach Holdup” roll engraved scene. All steel parts display a most attractive uncleaned aged patina and the brass trigger guard and back strap show a very attractive and pleasing mellow patina. It also has a fine bright rifled bore, tight action and excellent mechanical condition. One of the scarcest of the early Colt cartridge revolvers manufactured during the Reconstruction Period of the post-Civil War South and the most violent early period of the Old West. A seldom offered, very limited production Colt in fine condition. The revolver qualifies as an Antique Hand Gun, and does not require FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check.