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EXCEPTIONAL EARLY CIVIL WAR COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:6,000.00 USD Estimated At:12,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
EXCEPTIONAL EARLY CIVIL WAR COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY
PERCUSSION REVOLVER WITH IRON BACKSTRAP. Cal 36, S# 100719. Standard configuration 4th model 1851 navy with rarely seen iron backstrap & triggerguard on Hartford gun. Nathan Swayze only identified 3 examples in serial range 100,600-101,000 where the last Hartford addressed navies occur. Blue & case colored, 7.5" octagonal barrel, brass pin front sight, 1-line Hartford address and one of the last Hartford addressed guns. Left side of frame stamped "COLTS PATENT", varnished walnut grip. This example was made early in 1861 at height of Civil War fervor, many examples in the serial range have both Union and Confederate associations. This survivor, however, has seen little use retaining virtually all its original blue, case color, and varnish. CONDITION: extremely fine. All matching and complete. Barrel & cylinder retain over 95% original blue finish. Iron grip frame retains over half its original blue, with gray/silver patina as expected where blue worn where gripped. Cylinder has crisp near perfect rolled Ormsby "Naval Battle" scene, strong blue still in each chamber, & all 6 crisp safety pins. Frame, loading assembly & hammer retain most of their muted case colors. Grips are very fine, retaining virtually all their original factory varnish, small chip at one inside toe. Mechanics are crisp. Bright shiny rifled bore. (01-25374/JS). ANTIQUE. $12,000-15,000.