Fine and Exceptional Cased and Engraved Colt Model 1851 Squareback Navy or Belt Model Revolver...

Description

Fine and Exceptional Cased and Engraved Colt Model 1851 Squareback Navy or Belt Model Revolver
Serial number 2458/. .36 caliber, 6-shot cylinder with naval engagement roll scene. 7 1/2-inch octagon barrel with brass pin front sight. Top of barrel stamped:
- Address Saml. Colt New-York City -
Scroll and border engraved barrel, loading lever, frame, hammer and gripstraps, in early open vine style. Left side of frame stamped "Colts/Patent." Blued, with color casehardened frame, hammer, and loading lever, with silver-plated brass gripstraps. The grips of varnished walnut.
Serial number markings of 458 with dot on wedge, and 2458 with dot on cylinder pin, loading lever, frame at butt, frame over triggerguard, on frame, on barrel at base and on cylinder with cartouche. Inspector markings are A on face of cylinder, T on back of cylinder, B on right side of triggerguard and T on left side of triggerguard. Varnished mahogany case, lined in burgundy velvet. Embossed stand of arms powder flask, brass double cavity bullet mold with sprue cutter of bright steel, tin of Eley Bros. percussion caps with green paper label and in paper wrapper, blued L-shaped screwdriver/nipple wrench, key and miscellaneous percussion caps and extra parts. Shield-shaped brass keyplate inlaid on front of case.
Accompanied by documenting letter from R.L. Wilson, including the statement: "The pedigree of the revolver, and its accompanying factory mahogany case, velvet lined, with full complement of mint accessories, is itself of significance: The complete set was a gift to prominent collector Hugh E. Hayes of California from his wife (in the 1950s). Many years later the set went to collector John Woodard; Martin Lane; and soon thereafter to Neil Berman."
Literature:
R.L. Wilson. American Arms Collectors Percussion Colts and Their Rivals The Al Cali Collection, pp. 32-33.
Provenance:
Hugh E. Hayes (discovered in England)
John Woodard
Martin J. Lane
Neil Berman
Al Cali



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