John Ennis Silver Embellished Pair Colt 1847 Walker Percussion Revolvers
SOLD FOR: $4350
LSB#: 230316JR008, 230316JR009
Make: Colt
Model: Pair, 1847 Walker, 2nd Gen “F” Series
Serial Number: 2501, 2581
Year of Manufacture: 1980-1982, ATF Classified as Antique
Caliber: .44 Caliber Ball
Action Type: Single Action Percussion Black Powder Revolver
Barrel Length: 9”, Half-Round
Sights / Optics: The front sights are blades with a sloping front surface fixed to the barrels. The rear sights are notches in the hammers, visible when cocked.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are one-piece bone with decorative carving at the top on each side. The grips have only a few scattered minor marks. There are some grain-lines which may appear as cracks in the photos, but the surface is smooth. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-Excellent condition as not original to the guns.
Type of Finish: Blue, Case Color & Silver-Plate (steel backstrap, brass trigger guard, bands on barrel and cylinder.
Finish Originality: Most finish is Original. Per the consignor, the silver work was performed by John Ennis.
Bore Condition: The bores are bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bores. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: These handguns retain about 98% of their metal finish. Serial 2581 has a spot of muting or disturbance in its case color on the right at the bottom-rear. There are a few scattered minor marks. The actions show faint operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pair of revolvers is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The actions functions correctly. The cylinder lockup produces almost no play on each of the twelve chambers. The barrels have no play to the frames. We did not fire these handguns. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: This is a pair of 2nd Generation “F”-Series Colt 1847 Walker revolvers. The 1847 Colt Walker was the largest and most powerful black powder repeating handgun ever made. It was created in the mid-1840s in a collaboration between Texas Ranger Captain Samuel Hamilton Walker (1817–47) and American firearms inventor Samuel Colt (1814–62), building upon the earlier Colt Paterson design. Walker wanted a handgun that was extremely powerful at close range, and when his Rangers were each equipped with a pair, their individual firepower was nearly six time what it was with their previous single-shot pistols.
This pair was made in the early 1980s by Colt and has since seen a little bit of embellishment. According to the consignor, the silver plate on the grip frames as well as the silver bands on the cylinders and barrels was applied by John Ennis and the silver has gone to an even, attractive, dark patina. They have also been equipped with an attractive pair of bone grips. The result is a striking pair of massive Colt revolvers, perfect for display, collection, or even to draw some eyes and blow some smoke at the range. If you want an authentic Colt 1847 but don’t want to take out a 2nd mortgage to buy one, these are the Walkers for you. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
