Antique revolver with deluxe casing wins top lot at Bonhams sale

WHAT: As a matter of choice, we rarely feature firearms. But when an antique cased weapon soars and is top lot in a sale, the piece is worth noting.

In a sale of Antique Arms and Armor and Modern Sporting Guns at Bonhams, a well-known engraved Colt circa 1851 Navy percussion revolver with fancy, original custom casing sold for $88,500. As a pre-1899 handgun, the Colt qualifies as antique.

Accessories included a silver mounted English-style flask marked Colt’s Navy Flask/James -Dixon/&Sons/Sheffield, a silver-plated two cavity Colt’s Patent bullet mold with sprue cutter, two tins of 500-count percussion caps, a packet of Colt’s skin cartridges, a metal cleaning rod, a combination tool and extra screws and springs.

MORE: The .36 caliber gun stamped “Col. Colt London� is engraved with a wolf’s head and a British scene plus scroll engraving. The revolver is accompanied by a silver-plated and engraved shoulder stock made of deluxe walnut. In excellent condition, the gun is probably unfired: Varnish is original, and silver plating is up to 90 percent intact. The only marks are scuffs and minor scratches from components having been moved.

SMART COLLECTORS KNOW: In the cased arms world, heavy documentation counts. Followed by serial number, this particular revolver and casing have been traced down to the original artisan who engraved silver fittings including the heavily decorated hammer. Documentation in six publications and ownership by known collectors was noted in the sale catalogue.

HOT TIP: Provenance includes a cased silver medal from the NRA presented as one of the best firearms displayed in a specific year recently.

BOTTOM LINE: Beautifully cased firearms such as this are decor enhancers for people who love them. Talk about a conversation starter! This lot was a trophy “get� for the bidder.

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