Norm Flayderman Collection 4-Digit Colt 1862 Pocket Navy Revolver, Antique
Sold For: $7,525.00
LSB#: 220526JR030
Make: Colt
Model: 1862 Pocket Navy
Serial Number: 9714
Year of Manufacture: 1862 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .36 Caliber Cap and Ball
Action Type: 5-Shot Single Action Percussion Revolver
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “ADDRESS COL SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA”. The left of the frame is marked “COLTS / PATENT”. The left flat of the trigger guard is marked “36 CAL”. The bottom of the barrel assembly, frame, trigger guard, wedge, arbor and butt are each marked “9714”. The outside of the cylinder has a roll-engraved stagecoach scene and “COLTS PATENT / No 9714”. The front face of the cylinder is marked “T”, the rear face has an “H”. The rear face of the barrel assembly is marked “A”. The backstrap inlet of the grip has “9714” hand-written.
Barrel Length: 4 1/2″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a conical brass post (also called a “pin type”) threaded to the barrel at the muzzle. The rear sight is a “V” notch at the front of the hammer, visible when cocked.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is one-piece smooth walnut. The grip has minor handling wear with a few scattered minor nicks and scuffs. There are no chips or cracks. The wood is well fit to the metal. Overall, the grip is in Excellent condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case Color & Silver-Plated Brass
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion with a few pits.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The most notable finish loss is handling wear in the backstrap and scattered light wear on the cylinder. Otherwise, the finish is generally strong with soem scattered light nicks, scratches and infrequent minor surface oxidation. The right of the barrel has tool marks at the wedge and the left has some tool slips at the wedge screw. The action shows light operational wear with a thin turn-line on the cylinder. Some of the silver on the grip frame has darkened with age. The case color is generally quite strong with only a few spots showing muting. There is finish visible in both the bore and the chambers, indicating little if any actual firing. The screw heads are mostly sharp, a few are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder lockup has almost no play on all 5 chambers. The barrel has no play to the frame. We have not fired this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Colt 1862 was produced in two variants, the 1862 Police and the 1862 Pocket Navy, between 1861 and 1873 with about 47,000 made between the two. The Pocket Navy, properly “The Model 1862 Pocket Pistol of Navy Caliber”, accounted for only 40% of production, fewer than 20,000 total. Most of these saw extensive carry and use, especially those made during the Civil War. That makes the fantastic condition of this 1862 production example even more impressive, retaining most of its metal finish, a nice bore, strong mechanics, and all matching serialized parts. Even the safety pins on the rear of the cylinder are in good condition, a frequently worn feature on these guns. This revolver was previously auctioned from the Norm Flayderman Estate Collection, and Mr. Flayderman’s notes indicated that it was previously displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art as well as being part of the Parsons Collection. This revolver’s high condition, matching parts and interesting provenance should make for a great addition to even advanced Colt collections. Please see our photos and good luck!
