EXTREMELY RARE AND HIGHLY IMPORTANT GOLD-INLAID AND DEEP RELIEF ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1849 POCKET REVOLVER, Samuel Colt, Hartford, Connecticut, circa 1853

Serial no. 63306, .31 caliber; embellished in the classic pattern of Colt's early Gold-Inlaid revolvers with five animals, a bear, a dog, a leopard, a pheasant and a fox on the frame and barrels lugs, each gold-inlaid animal inhabits a dense surround of deep-relief engraved scrollwork highlighted by two additional gold-inlaid heads of mythical beasts and six animal head scroll finials throughout seven engraved panels, the seven engraved panels enclosed within gold-inlaid borders; the left-side of frame features the gold-inlaid COLTS PATENT within an ornate gold-inlaid scrolling framework; the hammer engraved with a wolf's head, its eyes and its teeth inlaid with gold, gold-inlaid lines outline the rear of the hammer, the upper surface of hammer with hand-checkered spur and deep-relief engraved scrollwork culminating with the head of a mythical serpent all enclosed within a gold-bordered frame; the barrel, nearly entirely engraved, with relief engraved scroll panels on the barrel lugs with two of the gold-inlaid animals at either side, while adorning the top three barrel flats are three extensive flush gold-inlaid scroll meanders within which reside an eagle, a wyphern and a resting dog, and several animal and serpent head finials, these gold-inlaid scroll panels framing the rare gold-inlaid script engraved SAML COLT, two gold bands at muzzle and one at breech, seven gold-inlaid arabesques at muzzle, the forcing cone with two gold bands and very rare gold-inlaid scrollwork, rare deluxe fore-sight, and exceptionally rare engraved muzzle face; very rare hand-engraved cylinder scene with gold-inlaid scrolls (each unique) between each cylinder stop, gold embellishments at each nipple fence, and gold bandings throughout, gold-inlaid COLTS PATENT and 63306, deep-relief engraved and gold-inlaid loading-lever, and engraved wedge; heavily gold-washed grip-straps both extensively engraved with deep relief scrolls overall, all screw-heads engraved with fan patterns matching the fan motif engraved on the back-strap shoulder, and additionally, the exposed bases of screws on frame and barrel engraved with stylized star-bursts, deluxe varnished walnut grip.

Rare Gold-Inlaid Colt Revolver, serial number 63306 from 1853. Unfired, though warmly appreciated over the years, the revolver remains in a remarkable state of preservation. Barrel: With some expected wear, the revolver retains substantial original blued finish on barrel, especially surrounding the muzzle, but most prominently along the top three barrel flats, in areas of the barrel lug, and within other more protected areas. The barrel's right side, and within the area of deep-relief engraving has lost some of the original finish and consequently shows some mellow aged toning as well as an insignificant spot within, yet almost hidden by, the engraving. The left-hand barrel flat has lost a greater amount of its original finish, yet here, that barrel flat retains an mellow aged patina and some very light staining. Barrel Mountings: The revolver's rare Fore-Sight still retains much of its original bright 'fire' blue color, while the Loading–Lever Latch, with nearly all its original blue finish does have a small area of staining on its left side. The Wedge with a patina to match that of the surrounding areas of the barrel, its Screw, the Hinge Screw, and the Lever Joint Screw with some use marks in their slots. Frame: It appears that this Frame was originally blued as protected areas clearly show, yet overall the original blue finish on this component of the revolver is visible mostly in those protected areas. The Frame overall now having a fine aged patina, though there remain traces of some of the very fine original blue finish on the engraving's scrolls. Cylinder: The hand-engraved Cylinder, possibly once "left in-the-white" from the factory is of light brownish-gray tone, yet exhibits excellent very clear cylinder scene, the Cylinder Nipples merely darkened with old dust and grease. Hammer: Some light and insignificant staining, otherwise excellent. The hammer face with some denting from nipples. Grip Straps: Retaining virtually all their original Gold Finish with the only notable wear to the gold finish barely visible at the corner of the back-strap. Grips: Retain virtually all their original varnish, with only the very most minor and expected marks. Screws: The Screws' Heads do show signs of being turned with some resulting damage to the slots, yet that damage, however regrettable is not greatly significant. Gold Inlays: The revolver's Gold Inlays are excellent and show no signs of losses to the inlay-work anywhere. Yet by eye, some of the animals do show scratches - mostly with the Dog on the left-side of frame. While under serious magnification there are infinitesimal scratches on the gold, yet these scratches are found on the revolver overall, and those are not, as mentioned, visible but under magnification. Serial Numbers: This revolver has matching Serial Numbers throughout, and though the revolver was not disassembled by Sotheby's, nor does it appear to have been disassembled any time recently, the grips absolutely match this revolver as they are fitted to the grip-straps perfectly.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This extremely rare, elaborately engraved and gold-inlaid percussion Colt revolver is part of a very important group of firearms that Samuel Colt made following his triumphant showing at London's Great Exhibition of 1851, likely coinciding with his magnificent display of firearms at the New York Crystal Palace Exhibition of 1853. 

Until the discovery of this pistol only twenty-one Gold-Inlaid percussion Colt firearms were known to have survived.¹ Colonel Colt likely made the majority of these gold-inlaid revolvers for use in exhibitions, but also as presentation pieces to important state leaders and dignitaries to whom it is recorded he gifted these fine firearms during his travels in Europe and the Ottoman Empire throughout the 1850s in an attempt to gain contracts for firearm purchases and production contracts.

A group of three of these guns survive at the Hermitage Museum that were part of the gifts given to Emperor Nicholas I in 1854.  Those guns are discussed in detail in Dr. Leonid Tarassuk's and R.L.Wilson's The 'Russian' Colts: From Colonel Samuel Colt to The Russian Imperial Court, (North Hollywood, CA: Beinfeld Publishing, Inc., 1979).  As mentioned in an early biography of Samuel Colt, it is stated that:

"In the spring of 1854, Colonel Colt was for the first time in Russia.  His fame as an inventor had preceded him, and he was received with greatest kindness by the imperial family and returned home not only happy in the prospect of contracts for his production, but honored by those jeweled complements which convey the friendly admiration of royalty."²

One of the most intriguing aspects of this pistol is that its serial number 63306 is only one digit away from the Gold-Inlaid Colt Model 1849 revolver (63305) presented to Nicholas I.  While its early provenance is not known, it is probable this pistol was presented to a European dignitary during the period that Colt traveled extensively through Europe and Russia. 

The engraving on a majority of surviving Gold-Inlaid Colt firearms has been attributed to Gustave Young, and this is supported by the discovery in 1967 of an engraver's pull depicting a highly-engraved Colt Dragoon frame. That engraver's pull was in the possession of the grandson of Young, and the incredible detailing depicted on it suggests it was a rubbing taken from a gold-inlaid revolver, but the whereabouts of that revolver is presently unknown. 

New research has stated that the cylinder engraving on several of the surviving Gold-Inlaid revolvers, such as the 'Sultan of Turkey' Dragoon in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Nicolas I Dragoon at the Hermitage, was by Waterman Lilly Ormsby the famous banknote engraver of New York.⁴  Considering differences in engraving styles found throughout the gold-inlaid Colts, another New York banknote engraver, John R. Evans, has also been mentioned as being a possible engraver of several of these rare revolvers.

The depth of engraving on this Pocket Model is quite exacting, and this manner of decoration (deep-relief) is only present on a few of the other surviving gold-inlaid revolvers.  Of particular note, the muzzle face of this pistol is also engraved which is nearly unique in the oeuvre of Colt Gold-Inlaid production.  While not definitively explained by Tarassuk and Wilson, it is likely that Nicholas I's Model 1949 pocket revolver, number 63305, also has an engraved muzzle face.

The pistol itself has survived in excellent condition and retains much of its original finish, though showing wear, some handling marks and fine aged patina.  The gold-inlaid animals have experienced little wear.

It is very important to consider here that of the twenty-two known gold-inlaid revolvers, only sixteen of them were made during the lifetime of Col. Samuel Colt.  Each of those made under his direction, and each would have been handled by the Colonel himself.  Of those sixteen revolvers made during Col. Colt's lifetime, seven are in public collections, leaving eight guns ever available for private collections, and of those eight only four are the Model 1849, one of which (no. 63303) does not feature the rare gold-inlaid animal decoration. Moreover, only two of the privately-owned gold-inlaid Colt Model 1849 revolvers feature deluxe fore-sights, no. 63306 (the currently offered lot) and no. 63271 (with regrettable pitting damage).

The sale of this incredible firearm marks an extraordinarily rare opportunity to purchase one of the most important, lavishly-decorated, and sought-after American firearms of the nineteenth century, or even twentieth-century.  It is not unreasonable to say that it will be many years to come before the next undiscovered Gold-Inlaid Colt Revolver surfaces.

Sotheby's would like to thank Conor FitzGerald for his contribution to this note.

Referred sources:

Robert Lawrence Wilson, Fine Colts: The Dr. Joseph A. Murphy Collection, (Doylestown, PA: Republic Publishing Co., Inc., 1999)
Robert M. Lee and Robert L. Wilson, The Art of the Gun: Magnificent Colts: Selections from the Robert M. Lee Collection¸ (Reno, NV: Yellowstone Press, 2012)
Robert Lawrence Wilson, Samuel Colt Presents: A Loan Exhibition of Presentation Percussion Colt Firearms,Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, 3 November 1961 to 14 January 1962, (Hartford: The Atheneum, 1961)
Robert Lawrence Wilson, Steel Canvas: The Art of American Arms, (New York: Random House, 1995)

¹ Connecticut State Library has three Gold-Inlaid Colt revolvers: a 3rd Model Dragoon, serial no. 15821, a Model 1849, serial no. 71746 and a Model 1851, serial no. 38843. From Samuel Colt's personal collection.

The Royal Armoury, Stockholm, Sweden has two Gold-Inlaid Model 1860 Army revolvers, serial nos. 31906 and 31907, composing a pair presented to the King of Sweden. These guns were stolen in 1967 and have not yet been recovered. 

Jægerpris Castle, Copenhagen, Denmark also has two Gold-Inlaid Model 1860 Army revolvers, serial nos. 31904, and 31905, these composing a pair presented to the King of Denmark. 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York has the Gold-Inlaid 3rd Model 'Sultan of Turkey' Dragoon, serial no. 12406.  Donated 1995.

The State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg, Russia has three Gold-Inlaid revolvers:  a 3rd Model Dragoon, serial no. 12407, a Model 1851, serial no. 20131, a Model 1849 serial no. 63305. 

Five Gold-Inlaid Colt revolvers are in an American private collection: a Model 1849, serial no. 67498, a Model 1851, serial no. 20133, a Model 1851, serial no. 23477, and two Model 1861 revolvers, serial nos. 17239 and 17240, presented by Elisha K. Root, President of Colt's to Lewis Lippold of Colt's.  

Other Gold-Inlaid Colts in private collections include: Model 1862, serial no. 38549, a Model 1849, serial no. 63303 (no animal inlays), a Model 1849, serial no. 63271 (regrettably with pitting), a Model 1851, serial no. 14332, a London Dragoon, serial no. 7.

A summarized breakdown is as follows: four Dragoons, serial numbers 7, 12406, 12407, 15821; six Model 1849, serial nos. 63303, 63305, 63306 (currently offered lot), 63271, 67498, 71746; five Model 1851, serial nos. 14332, 20131, 20133, 23477,  38843; four Model 1860, serial nos. 31904, 31905, 31906, 31907; two Model 1861, serial nos. 17239 and 17240; one 1862, serial no. 38549.
² Robert Lawrence Wilson, The Book of Colt Firearms, 2^nd edition (Minneapolis, MN: Blue Book Publications, 1993), p. 65.
³ Tarassuk and Wilson, The 'Russian' Colts, p. 13 and Robert Lawrence Wilson, The Book of Colt Engraving, (Los Angeles: W. Beinfeld Publications, 1974). p. 110.
⁴ The Colt Revolver in the American West at http://theautry.org/the-colt-revolver-in-the-american-west/overview.