Fine to excellent deluxe brass-bound cased, British proofed, Exhibition grade, factory engraved, Colt Model 1851 London Navy percussion revolver serial number 6666/. with ultra rare gold-plated back-strap and trigger-guard, manufactured at Samuel Colt’s London manufactory, circa 1854.

This revolver is expertly engraved on the barrel, loading lever, frame, hammer, wedge, back-strap and trigger-guard. The frame, recoil shield and trigger-guard all have fine scroll and borders, producing the most profuse scroll patterns to be seen on London Colt revolvers. There are intricate scrolls to the breech end of the barrel and from the muzzle, continuing along the barrel. The underside of the loading lever is finely scroll engraved from one end, to the other. The gold-plated iron back-strap and gold-plated iron trigger-guard are also finely engraved. Both sides of the hammer are scroll engraved, with scrolling on the top. This piece of fine metallic art is complimented with one-piece, varnished select walnut stocks.

Serial number 6666/.  bears the address: ‘ADDRESS COL COLT. LONDON’. The address with arrows at each end pointing inwards, has been framed by the engraver. The gun is in .36 calibre, with six-shot cylinder and a 7½ inch octagonal barrel, with the later beveled cut-out on the right side and attached loading lever. The barrel and cylinder are blued with a casehardened frame, hammer and loading lever. The large iron back-straps and trigger-guard grips are gold-plated. The left side of the three-screw frame, bears a hand-engraved, script ‘COLT’S / PATENT’ within an unfurled banner. The roll engraved cylinder scene, designed by Waterman Lilly Ormsby, depicts the naval battle scene between the Texas Navy and that of Mexico.   

British proof-marks and view marks are stamped on the left side of the barrel, forward of the wedge. Proof and view marks are also present, on each chamber of the cylinder, on the shoulders, between the nipple recesses.

The revolver is in very fine to excellent condition, with much blue to the barrel and cylinder. There are also strong case-colours to the frame, loading lever and hammer. The gold-plating on the back-strap is worn from handling, whilst the gold-plated trigger-guard retain most of its original gold-plating. The cylinder scene is strong. The pins on the rear of the cylinder remain intact. The action is in good working order.

Cased in its ultra-rare and original deluxe London style, mahogany case with original label, partitioned to fit the revolver with all its accessories. The brass-bound cornered lid of the case has a central circular vacant brass plaque, which is surrounded by a sunken circular carrying ring. The interior is lined in green baize.

Accessories in the case include a Dixon & Sons, bag- type flask, marked ‘COLTS NAVY FLASK’, London manufactured .36 blued steel bullet mould marked ‘COLTS PATENT’, a fire-blued nipple key, an excellent original 500 count cap tin Japanned “ELEY BROs” cap tin, a pewter oil bottle stamped ‘James Dixon / & Sons / Sheffield’, a small wooden, turned screw topped container, containing several spare nipples marked ‘COLTS / PATENT’, one iron cleaning rod with rounded wooden handle. There is also a spare mainspring, its original key and loose round and conical shaped lead balls, to complete the set. The label has several holes in it, but generally in good condition.

This magnificent brass-bound cased set, manufactured by American entrepreneur Samuel Colt, with full accessories is in fine to excellent condition. With its gold-plating on it back-strap and trigger-guard it is surely an Exhibition gun, fit for a high commanding officer, a Lord or even a King.