Lot 3164

Cased Special Order Colt 1861 Navy with Casehardened Grip Frame

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Cased Special Order Colt 1861 Navy with Casehardened Grip Frame

Estimate: $20,000 - $35,000

Starting Bid: $18,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 23, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Extraordinarily Scarce Birdseye Maple Cased Special Order Colt Model 1861 Navy Percussion Revolver with Checkered Loading Lever, Casehardened Grip Frame, and Deluxe Relief Carved Grip This incredible revolver dates to 1866 and was almost certainly a special order revolver made for a presentation, possibly for a Colt employee or victorious Union officer. It is quite unusual in its special order details and was noted as not listed in the shipping records. With no documentation or inscription we are left to wonder just who it may have been made for, why, and where they used it, but it is certainly one of the rarest examples of the already scarce Model 1861 Navy. The special features starting from the front of the revolver include: fine checkering on the loading lever arm terminating in a scalloped border as well as coordinating checkering with a single scallop border on the hammer, "36 CAL" marked on the left side of the barrel lug instead of on the trigger guard, no Colt patent marking on the frame, casehardened trigger guard and back strap, and a deluxe walnut grip with raised relief foliate carving and basket-weave checkering most likely executed by Charles Helfricht as it almost nearly identical to the grip on the famous L. T. Pearson Pocket Navy. The revolver is also housed in one of the rarest known factory cases: a maple case with distinctive birdseye figure on the lid. In addition, the revolver features a German silver blade front sight, the one-line New York barrel address, "5" between the frame pin holes, "A" near the barrel's breech face, the iconic naval battle scene on the cylinder, "P" and "B" on the recoil shield, the matching partial serial number "208" on the cylinder, wedge, and arbor; and the matching full serial number "28208" on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The case contains a compliment of accessories, including a cap tin, martial pattern powder flask with sloped charger, L-shaped combination tool, "36 B." marked bullet mold, cartridge pack, and loose bullets.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: 1861 Navy

BBL: 7 1/2 inch round

Gauge: .36

Finish: blue/casehardened

Grips: walnut

Serial Number28208

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: The Jim Eplen Collection
  • Condition: Very fine with 70% plus vibrant original case colors on the frame and loading lever, 40% original case colors on the grip straps, 50% original blue, distinct markings and cylinder scene, fairly light wear from use and maintenance including some dings around the wedge and minor oxidation, a slight notch in the right side of the rammer tip, and a small flaw in the metal on the left side of the hammer. The grip is also very fine and has crisp carving and checkering, light edge wear, and minor scratches and dings. The loading lever binds a bit, but the action is mechanically excellent. The case is fine with some minor cracks, light contact wear on the lining, and minor age and storage related wear. The accessories are very fine with most of their original finish and slight storage wear. Overall, an incredibly rare special order Colt Model 1861 Navy revolver with a ton of appeal.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000