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Scarce War Department Marked Colt British Military Contract London Model 1851 Navy Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
Scarce War Department Marked Colt British Military Contract London Model 1851 Navy Revolver
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This is a fine example of a Colt London Model 1851 Navy revolver that was manufactured in 1855. This is one of 23,500 Colt London Navy revolvers purchased by the British War Department for issue to the Royal Navy and the British Army during the Crimean War. The revolver has a high polish blue finish on the barrel, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap, casehardened frame, hammer and loading lever and varnished, one-piece walnut grip. The revolver has the distinctive London Navy large oval steel trigger guard, steel back strap with long hammer notch, bordered and knurled hammer spur and round head screws. The left side of the barrel lug is stamped with the War Department "Broad Arrow" property mark above "W D". The British military proof mark consisting of a "Crown/VR/crossed pennants/P" is stamped on the left side of the barrel lug below the "WD" property mark. "Crown/V" and "Crown/GP" London proof and inspection marks are stamped on the left side of the barrel lug and on the cylinder chambers. A "Crown/15" inspection mark is stamped on the left side of the grip heel. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped "ADDRESS COL: COLT. LONDON.-" with arrows on either end of the marking. The left side of the frame is marked "COLTS/PATENT" in two lines. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas navy battle scene, "COLTS PATENT No" and "Engraved by W.L. Ormsby New York". The front edge of the cylinder is engraved "ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843". The full serial number, "24453", is stamped on the loading lever, the bottom of the barrel lug, trigger guard, back strap and cylinder arbor pin. The cylinder is numbered "29232" and the wedge is numbered "6477". The British military London Navy revolvers saw hard service during the Crimean War and in colonial warfare around the globe; relatively few of these revolvers are found in American collections.
BBL: 7 1/2 inch octagonal
Stock:
Gauge: 36 percussion
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 24453
Condition: Fine. The revolver retains 40% of the original blue and casehardened finish. The barrel has 60% of the original blue with moderate handling wear, The cylinder, trigger guard and back strap have a silver-gray patina. The loading lever, frame and hammer retain 40-50% of the faded case colors. The cylinder has some scattered light pitting and retains most of the naval scene. All of the cylinder safety pins are intact. The walnut grip is in very good condition with numerous light handling and storage marks. All of the markings and serial numbers are clear. The condition of the cylinder matches the rest of the revolver perfectly indicating that it was probably switched during the service life of the weapon. This is a fine, attractive example of a scarce and historic British military Colt London Model 1851 Navy revolver.