3101

SUPERB CASED, MATCHED PAIR OF ENGRAVED COLT

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:8,000.00 USD Estimated At:16,000.00 - 24,000.00 USD
SUPERB CASED, MATCHED PAIR OF ENGRAVED COLT
COLT 1862 POLICE REVOLVERS WITH ORIGINAL IVORY GRIPS. BOTH: cal. 36. 1) S# 15889/IE. 2) S# 15891/IE. Bbls. 6 1/2". S#s indicate a mfg. date early in 1863. Both bbls. are marked on the top, "ADDRESS COL SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S AMERICA". Foliate bbl. engraving extends nearly 3" up from the frames. There is engraving around the muzzles & flourishes on either side. The 5 shot rebated & half fluted cylinders have similar engraving. The frames are covered w/ foliate engraving as are the hammers. Frames are marked below cyl., "COLT'S PATENT". Trigger guards & backstraps are silver plated w/ foliate engraving highlighting most areas. The left sides of the trigger guards are stamped, "36 CAL" to the rear & "2" to the front. The backstraps are engraved, "Amicitea vera est perpetua", which translates to "True friendship is everlasting". All serial numbers on both guns are matching, including the wedges. Trigger guard's S# & butt strap's S# are stamped over "IE", indicating the revolvers were intended to be engraved & receive ivory grips. Original checkered ivory grips are "certifiable antique ivory". UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: original wooden case measuring 15" x 9" x 2 3/4". Case had a central brass plaque in the lid (now missing). Keyed lock is present & functional but escutcheon plate is missing. Case shows overall light to moderate wear to the finish. Case is lined in purple velvet & houses the 2 pistols, 2 bullet molds, 2 screw driver/nipple wrenches, a pistol powder flask marked "JAMES DIXON & SONS SHEFFIELD" & 2 tins of caps. In addition, there are 2 rectangular interior covered boxes for additional storage. Both bullet molds are marked "COLT'S PATENT" & have nearly complete blued finishes. The screw driver/nipple wrenches also have a nearly complete blued finish. Pistol flask has a brown finish & 1 shallow dent. CONDITION: both revolvers show wear to the blued finish w/ approx. 35% finish remaining. Silver plating is nearly complete w/ some high point wear on the base of the trigger guard & backstrap. Both pistols are mechanically crisp & cycle well. Bores are very fine w/ crisp rifling. Ivory grips have a wonderful rich patina & show light wear. (01-17193/BF). ANTIQUE. $16,000-24,000.