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Cased Colt London Model 1851 Navy Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:4,750.00 USD Estimated At:9,500.00 - 16,000.00 USD
Cased Colt London Model 1851 Navy Revolver
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Estimate: $9500 - 16000
This is an example of a Colt London Model 1851 Navy Revolver that was manufactured circa 1855. The revolver has a high polish blue finish on the barrel, cylinder, back strap and trigger guard. The loading lever, frame and hammer have a color casehardened finish. The one-piece walnut grip has a varnish "piano" finish. The revolver has distinctive London Navy features including a large oval steel trigger guard, back strap with large hammer notch, bordered knurling on the hammer spur, round head screws and bell-shaped grip contour. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the legend "- ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT LONDON-" with arrows at either end. "COLTS/PATENT" is stamped in two lines on the left side of the frame. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene and "COLTS PATENT No.". London "Crown/V" and "Crown/CP" proof and inspection marks are stamped on the left side of the barrel lug ahead of the wedge and above each chamber on the cylinder. The full serial number "22228" is stamped on loading lever, the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap and on the side of the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. The revolver is complete with a Colt London factory case and accessories. The mahogany case has a brass plaque inlaid in the lid and is lined with red felt. The case has a sheet with Colt's loading and cleaning instructions glued to the inside of the lid. The case has six compartments complete with accessories that include a steel cleaning rod, L-shaped combination screw-driver/nipple wrench, straight leg, iron, bullet mold for conical bullets and round balls stamped "COLT'S/PATENT" in two lines across the spruce cutter, 250-cap japanned tin of Eley Bros percussion caps with green paper label, James Dixon & Son bag-shaped powder flask with adjustable charger, gilded top, fire-blue spring, brown lacquer body and lanyard ring on the end and several lead round balls and conical bullets.
BBL: 7 1/2 inch
Stock:
Gauge: 36 percussion
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 22228
Condition: Very fine as partially refinished (cylinder). The barrel has 90% bright blue with only light edge wear with some very minor flaking on the left side of the lug. The cylinder has 80% of the blue finish and retains most of the roll-engraved naval scene. The trigger guard has about 60% of the blue finish with considerable handling wear on the grip strap. Most of the blue on the back strap has aged to a mottled gray patina; some finish is present on protected areas of the back strap and butt. The loading lever, frame and hammer retain nearly 95% of the casehardened finish with vivid case colors. The screw heads are free from screw-driver battering and retain considerable amounts of the niter blue finish. All of the cylinder pins are intact and the percussion nipples and rear face of the cylinder show only minimal flash pitting. The grip is excellent and retains nearly all of the "piano" finish varnish. All of the markings and serial numbers are sharp. The action functions perfectly. The case exterior is very good with a few light scratches and dents on the lid. The interior is good. The felt lining is slightly faded and has stains and compression marks from contact with the revolver cylinder and muzzle. The edges of the case compartments show some contact wear. The accessories are all good-very good. The screw-driver has nearly all of the blue finish. The bullet mold has some dents and scratches on the lower edges of the blocks but is good overall. The cap tin has about 50% of the japanned finish intact and the green paper label is faded but complete. The powder flask is very good, the body has no dents and retains 90% of the brown lacquer finish, the brass top and charge have about 50% of the gilded finish intact and most of the fire blue finish is present on the spring. This is an excellent example of a factory cased Colt London Model 1851 Navy Revolver.