VERY RARE 'HARTFORD LONDON' COLT 1851 NAVY s/n 40023
£ 5,500
This is an very rare, Hartford made, London addressed Colt Navy, Serial Number 40023, manufactured in 1855
Samuel Colt had been eyeing the London market for his revolvers for quite a while, Britain and its Empire were a potentially enormous market for Colt, however Great Britain was the Global Industrial Superpower of the day and had every intention of retaining this position.
Colt made 38,000 plus London manufactured and marked Navy models (the so called "London London") and after closing down production, began manufacturing the "Hartford London", (about 4000 manufactured).
The Hartford London this was basically a standard US 1851 model (occasionally utilising some London made parts), but with the barrel marked with the Address Col. Colt London (differing in that it has two flanking parallel lines instead of arrows) and shipped to the UK for proofing and sale by Colts London agent.
The Hartford serial numbers carry on from the London manufactured Colts, with some apparent overlap, probably as a slight of hand to get round the import tariffs.
This example, s/n 40023, is a rare, early surviving Hartford London 1851 Navy, manufactured as London production tailed off in 1855.
Condition report
Overall: I would classify s/n 40023 in (NRA standard),Excellent, full matching numbers, 90 +% original bright Colt bluing to barrel.
The frame,cylinder, hammer and rammer, display large areas of rare surviving original colour case hardened finish.
The action screws are in good order, displaying traces of flame bluing, with no burring, the revolver operates as new,on half and full cock and indexes and locks up absolutely solidly, suggesting a revolver that's seen very little use.
Barrel assembly:
The Barrel has 85% original finish, with clear and sharp markings and edges. The bore has clear and sharp lands and grooves, a mirror bright finish with small areas of frosting, commensurate with age.
The attached ramrod displaying excellent original colour case hardening with some areas of patina and discolouration at the latch, caused by historic handling.
Frame and hammer:
The frame and hammer have large areas of original colour case hardening and a tiny amount of patina, commensurate with age and handling. All markings and edges are clear and sharp.
The cylinder:
The cylinder is excellent, with the Naval engagement scene and s/n still clearly evident on the cylinder exterior surface.The finish is blued, appears to be original finish and aged to rather nice patina.
The rear face is excellent, showing very little to no firing erosion, the 5 remaining safety pins are in good order, with some very light historic mishandling crushing to the original nipples.
Trigger Guard, grips and back strap:
The blued steel trigger guard and back strap are in very good condition, with much surviving blue and a light handling patina.
The walnut grips are in excellent condition, with no splits, cracks or chips.
Length 13 in (330 mm)
Calibre .36
Samuel Colt had been eyeing the London market for his revolvers for quite a while, Britain and its Empire were a potentially enormous market for Colt, however Great Britain was the Global Industrial Superpower of the day and had every intention of retaining this position.
Colt made 38,000 plus London manufactured and marked Navy models (the so called "London London") and after closing down production, began manufacturing the "Hartford London", (about 4000 manufactured).
The Hartford London this was basically a standard US 1851 model (occasionally utilising some London made parts), but with the barrel marked with the Address Col. Colt London (differing in that it has two flanking parallel lines instead of arrows) and shipped to the UK for proofing and sale by Colts London agent.
The Hartford serial numbers carry on from the London manufactured Colts, with some apparent overlap, probably as a slight of hand to get round the import tariffs.
This example, s/n 40023, is a rare, early surviving Hartford London 1851 Navy, manufactured as London production tailed off in 1855.
Condition report
Overall: I would classify s/n 40023 in (NRA standard),Excellent, full matching numbers, 90 +% original bright Colt bluing to barrel.
The frame,cylinder, hammer and rammer, display large areas of rare surviving original colour case hardened finish.
The action screws are in good order, displaying traces of flame bluing, with no burring, the revolver operates as new,on half and full cock and indexes and locks up absolutely solidly, suggesting a revolver that's seen very little use.
Barrel assembly:
The Barrel has 85% original finish, with clear and sharp markings and edges. The bore has clear and sharp lands and grooves, a mirror bright finish with small areas of frosting, commensurate with age.
The attached ramrod displaying excellent original colour case hardening with some areas of patina and discolouration at the latch, caused by historic handling.
Frame and hammer:
The frame and hammer have large areas of original colour case hardening and a tiny amount of patina, commensurate with age and handling. All markings and edges are clear and sharp.
The cylinder:
The cylinder is excellent, with the Naval engagement scene and s/n still clearly evident on the cylinder exterior surface.The finish is blued, appears to be original finish and aged to rather nice patina.
The rear face is excellent, showing very little to no firing erosion, the 5 remaining safety pins are in good order, with some very light historic mishandling crushing to the original nipples.
Trigger Guard, grips and back strap:
The blued steel trigger guard and back strap are in very good condition, with much surviving blue and a light handling patina.
The walnut grips are in excellent condition, with no splits, cracks or chips.
Length 13 in (330 mm)
Calibre .36
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