Lot 327
327
A CASED BRACE OF RARE .36 LONDON-MADE COLT 1851 MODEL NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVERS
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more
A CASED BRACE OF RARE .36 LONDON-MADE COLT 1851 MODEL NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVERS

NOS. 19295 AND 19314 FOR 1855

Details
A CASED BRACE OF RARE .36 LONDON-MADE COLT 1851 MODEL NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVERS
Nos. 19295 and 19314 for 1855
Each with London address, iron trigger-guard and grip-strap, some blued finish, and walnut grips (minor chips and bruises) pierced for a lanyard (the holes now filled), pistol No. 19295 with grip-strap No. 17319, each pistol with War Department stamp (refreshed (?) on No. 19314), re-engraved inscription on the cylinder, and some scattered surface pitting; in a lined and fitted mahogany case with some accessories including iron bullet mould stamped 'Tower' with broad arrow mark, and a spare cylinder for pistol No. 19314 (serial number refreshed), London proof marks
13in. (33cm.)
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

Revolvers of this type were purchased by the Board of Ordnance for use by British Troops in the Crimean War. The first order of 4,000 Colt Navies was made in March 1854 for issue to the Royal Navy at the time of Britain's entry into the War, followed by another 5,500. In 1855 14,000 were ordered for the Army, but out of a total of over 24,000, few have survived.
See Joseph G. Rosa, Colonel Colt, London, pp. 66-100: Colt Revolvers and the Tower of London, p. 37, plates 58-61; Robert E. Brooker, Jr., British Military Pistols 1603-1888, p. 77

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