A Fine & Rare Gustave Young Engraved Fourth Model 1851 Navy Colt Percussion Nickel & Silver Plated Revolver.
Missed out on this item? Click to view all current Antique Pistols & Revolvers Free UK delivery on all items
13 ¾” overall, 7 ½” barrel with dovetail mounted front sight. The top of the barrel is stamped ‘ADDRESS SAML COLT HARTFORD CT.’ The revolver is overall engraved with distinctive Germanic scrollwork associated with Master Engraver Gustave Young and his shop. The engraving on the left side of the barrel lug features a beast head surrounded by scrollwork. The sides of the hammer are engraved with Young's typical hounds head motif. The cylinder is engraved with scrolling foliage around flower heads. ‘COLT'S/PATENT’ hand engraved on the left side of the frame in an engraved panel. Large rounded trigger guard, large recoil shield capping cut-out with no capping channel, thin loading lever latch and bevelled loading cut-out in the barrel lug. Original grip.
96463 with punch mark stamped on all parts Circa 1860.
A very attractive revolver in very good condition, slight rubbing to plating and minor cracks to grip.
See THE BOOK OF COLT ENGRAVING VOLUME ONE by R.L. Wilson.page 133 for very similar engraved pistol. And Colt Factory Engravers by H.G.Houze pages 134-145. Colt Navy 96468 near identical but case-hardened finish sold at Rock Island Premiere Firearms Sale of the Decade 2012