RARE 1 of 50 Hand Engraved 2nd Generation Cased Pair of Colt Model 1851 Navy & Dragoon Revolvers, Antique

SOLD FOR:$4,230

LSB#: 141218PS07 & 141218PS08
Make: Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Co.
Model: 1st Model C1851 Navy & 3rd Model Dragoon
Serial Number: 141218PS07 Navy: 24885 & 141218PS08 Dragoon: 24577
Year of Manufacture: 1978, ATF Classified as Antiques
Caliber: 141218PS07 Navy: .36 Caliber Ball & 141218PS08 Dragoon: .44 Caliber Ball
Action Type: Both pistols are single action cap and ball, black powder revolvers.
Markings: 141218PS07 Navy: The left side of the frame is marked “COLT’S / PATENT”. The top of the barrel is marked “ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW YORK CITY”. The right side of the frame is marked “1 of 50” in gold. The underside of the frame, trigger guard, barrel assembly and wedge are marked “24885”. The butt is marked “4885”. The cylinder is marked “24885”. The underside of the barrel is stamped “H”. The underside of the trigger guard is marked “SET No 12”.
141218PS08 Dragoon: The left side of the frame is marked “COLT’S / PATENT”. The top of the barrel assembly is marked “ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY”. The right side of the frame is marked “1 of 50” in gold. The underside of the frame, trigger guard, barrel assembly and wedge are marked “24577”. The butt is marked “4577”. The cylinder is marked “24577”. The rear face of the barrel assembly is marked “577”. The underside of the trigger guard is marked “SET No 12”.
Barrel Length: 141218PS07: The Navy has a 7 ½” octagonal barrel & 141218PS08: The Dragoon has a 7 ½” Round barrel.
Sights / Optics: 141218PS07: The Navy front sight is a brass bead set into the barrel. The rear sight is a notch in the hammer, visible when cocked.
141218PS08: The Dragoon front sight is a blade with a ramped front face set into the barrel. The rear sight is a notch in the hammer, visible when cocked.
Stock Configuration & Condition: 141218PS07: The Navy’s smooth two piece grips are bone, display a gold Rampant Colt medallion on each panel and exhibit almost no signs of use. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.
141218PS08: The Dragoon’s smooth two piece grips are bone, display a gold Rampant Colt medallion on each panel and exhibit almost no signs of use. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: 141218PS07: The Navy has a blue barrel and cylinder, case colored loading lever, hammer and frame, and silver plated backstrap and trigger guard.
141218PS08: The Dragoon has a blue barrel and cylinder, case colored loading lever, hammer and frame and brass trigger guard and backstrap.
Finish Originality: The finish on both pistols is all original.
Bore Condition: 141218PS07: The Navy bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
141218PS08: The Dragoon bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: 141218PS07: The Navy retains about 99% of its metal finish. The pistol is adorned with Level “C” ‘Nimschke’ style engraving with gold borders from the Colt Custom Shop. A cluster of very tiny marks is visible on the right shoulder of the barrel and front face of the grip frame. A 2 ¼” portion of the gold border on the lower edge and rear of the left side of the frame has worn thin from contact with the velour of the interior of the case. The cylinder is roll stamped with the Naval battle scene typically found on Colt Navy and Army revolvers. The cylinder exhibits almost no evidence of handling and conforms to modern safety standards, possessing pins between the nipples which lock into the hammer, preventing the cylinder from rotating when the hammer rests between chambers. The blue finish is deep and the case coloring is strong. The silver plating on the backstrap and trigger guard is mildly tarnished, but fully intact. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Excellent condition.
141218PS08: The Dragoon retains about 97% of its metal finish. The pistol is adorned with Level “C” ‘Nimschke’ style engraving with gold borders from the Colt Custom Shop. The barrel and barrel assembly exhibit only the lightest marks from use. A tiny cluster of shallow pinprick erosion is apparent on the front left on the frame, and the gold border exhibits small marks throughout and areas of thinning on both sides of the frame at the hammer. Two small marks appear on the upper right side of the back strap. The brass surfaces of the trigger guard and backstrap show scattered shallow handling marks and have developed a natural patina. The cylinder is roll stamped with the Texas Ranger battle scene typically found on Dragoon revolvers. The cylinder exhibits little evidence of handling except for a cluster of scratches through the finish toward the rear. The cylinder conforms to modern safety standards, possessing pins between the nipples which lock into the hammer, preventing the cylinder from rotating when the hammer rests between chambers. The blue finish is deep and the case coloring is strong. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: Both actions function correctly. 1st Model C1851 Navy pistols feature a square backed trigger guard. We did not fire these handguns.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The pistols come in an 11 ¾” X 20 ½” wooden presentation case which has a brass plaque on the lid marked “COLT NAVY – COLT DRAGOON / 1 OF 50 / SPECIAL EDITION”. The plaque exhibits scratches and the lid of the case shows multiple lines in the finish, surface thinning and a patch of notable compression marks to the right of the plaque. Minor marks appear on the sides of the case. The interior of the box is lined in wine colored velour. The lid exhibits compression marks from contact with the pistols. The floor is partitioned into compartments which are fit to the pistols and the other items contained within. The floor also exhibits compression marks from contact with the contained items. Two round cap boxes are present, with labels which read “ELEY BROs / Manufacturers, London.” and “250 METAL-LINED / CAPS, / Made expressly for / COLT’S Pt. / Belt and Pocket / PISTOLS”. Both labels show fraying around the edges and have an antiqued look. The label on one box has detached and is free inside the case, rendering the rating as Fair while the intact box rates in Very Good to Fine condition. A powder flask is present with a design of cannon, flags, rifles, pistols and marked “COLT’S / PATENT” and the front and “MADE IN U.S.A.” stamped on the back. The body of the flask is gray non-magnetic metal and the collar, valve and spout are brass. Spots of discoloration are visible and the flask rates in Fine condition. Two bullet molds, one for .36 caliber and one for .44 caliber are present. Both are two cavity molds, able to cast one round ball and one conical projectile. Both are made of brass with case colored sprue cutters marked “COLT’S PATENT”. The brass surfaces have developed a natural patina and exhibit light handling marks. The bullet molds are in Fine condition. Two simple nipple screwdriver/wrenches are included, both finished blue and in Excellent condition. Also present is a wooden dowel which is finished, painted and in Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: This is a rare collector’s set of 2nd Generation Colt Black Powder pistols. The set consists of one 1st Model C1851 Navy and one 3rd Model Dragoon, each displaying Level “C” Nimschke style engraving from the Colt Custom Shop. Named for the firearms engraver who helped create the American style, the Nimschke design features rich scrollwork, a heavily punched dot background, fine edge curls and delicate borders. Both pistols are in Excellent condition and look fantastic together in the wooden display case surrounded by cap boxes, bullet molds, a powder flask and nipple wrenches. This set is number 12 of only 50 of these sets, which were assembled by the Colt Custom Shop in 1978. The parts were cast in Italy, fit, assembled and finished by Lou Imperato at the former Iver Johnson factory which he moved to Middlesex, NJ. For a short time in the late 1970s to the early 1980s, Colt black powder pistols were manufactured under the supervision of Colt, assuring the products were up to the original specifications. This pair of percussion pistols look fantastic and will become the visual centerpiece of any Colt collection.