Presentation Pistol and Original Case
DecoratorEngraved by
Waterman Lilly Ormsby
1809 - 1883
MakerMade by
Colt Manufacturing Company
American
Date1851
MediumRevolver (.1): Silver plated steel with a wooden grip.
Powder flask (.2): Plated tin with silver-plated steel spout.
Ball and bullet mold (.3): Brass, blued steel, and a steel screw.
Case (.5): Wood, with brass plaque and brass lock plate, steel key, and fabric lining.
DimensionsComponent (overall height x length of revolver): 5 x 13 1/4in. (12.7 x 33.7cm)
Component (height x width x depth of powder flask): 6 3/4 x 3 x 1 5/16in. (17.1 x 7.6 x 3.3cm)
Component (height x width x depth of mold): 5 x 1 1/8 x 15/16in. (12.7 x 2.9 x 2.4cm)
Component (length x width of tool): 3 1/2 x 1 1/2in. (8.9 x 3.8cm)
Component (height x width x depth including key of case): 2 1/2 x 14 5/16 x 7in. (6.4 x 36.4 x 17.8cm)
Component (height x width x depth of powder flask): 6 3/4 x 3 x 1 5/16in. (17.1 x 7.6 x 3.3cm)
Component (height x width x depth of mold): 5 x 1 1/8 x 15/16in. (12.7 x 2.9 x 2.4cm)
Component (length x width of tool): 3 1/2 x 1 1/2in. (8.9 x 3.8cm)
Component (height x width x depth including key of case): 2 1/2 x 14 5/16 x 7in. (6.4 x 36.4 x 17.8cm)
ClassificationsWeapons
Credit LineGift of Samuel Colt
DescriptionRepeating revolver, powder flask, bullet mold, and a steel tool in a decorative wooden case.
The six-shot Colt Navy Revolver (.1) is silver plate over steel, with a wooden grip. There is an attached tamper and percussion cap. There is extensive ornamental engraving, mostly scrollwork, over most of the metal parts. The cylinder shows a naval battle scene with about eight ships.
The powder flask (.2) is plated tin, with a silver plated steel spout mechanism. The spout is operated by a sping lever; the spring is circular. Relief on the body of the flask depict cannons, a shield, flags, long and short guns, and other instruments of warfare.
The ball and bullet mold (.3) is brass, made of two hinged arms with blued steel pour holes that can rotate in a half-inch arch, held in place by a blued steel screw.
The mold has space for one ball and one bullet.
The blued steel tool (.4) is a conbination screwdriver, flathead, an L-shaped instrument, and a type of wrench.
The wooden case (.5) has a brass lock plate and a steel key on the front. A brass plaque on the lid is engraved: "Presented to the Connecticut/ Historical Society/ By Col Colt". Inside the case are five compartments, one for each of the above mentioned items, and one for patch cloth. There is a tear where the cylinder of the revolver touches the fabric on the interior lid. The case opens on two brass hinges.
The six-shot Colt Navy Revolver (.1) is silver plate over steel, with a wooden grip. There is an attached tamper and percussion cap. There is extensive ornamental engraving, mostly scrollwork, over most of the metal parts. The cylinder shows a naval battle scene with about eight ships.
The powder flask (.2) is plated tin, with a silver plated steel spout mechanism. The spout is operated by a sping lever; the spring is circular. Relief on the body of the flask depict cannons, a shield, flags, long and short guns, and other instruments of warfare.
The ball and bullet mold (.3) is brass, made of two hinged arms with blued steel pour holes that can rotate in a half-inch arch, held in place by a blued steel screw.
The mold has space for one ball and one bullet.
The blued steel tool (.4) is a conbination screwdriver, flathead, an L-shaped instrument, and a type of wrench.
The wooden case (.5) has a brass lock plate and a steel key on the front. A brass plaque on the lid is engraved: "Presented to the Connecticut/ Historical Society/ By Col Colt". Inside the case are five compartments, one for each of the above mentioned items, and one for patch cloth. There is a tear where the cylinder of the revolver touches the fabric on the interior lid. The case opens on two brass hinges.
Object number1855.25.1-.5
MarkingsPowder flask (.2): "COLTS PATENT" is worked into the design once on each side of the flask.Ball and bullet mold (.3): "COLTS PATENT" stamped on the blued steel portion.InscribedRevolver (.1): On the barrel, "ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW YORK CITY"; on the base of the breech, "37697"; on the cylinder, "COLTS PATENT NO 37697/ Engraved by W. L. Ormsby, New York" and "ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843". "37697" is stamped in three places in front of the trigger guard and once on the bottom of the grip.
Case (.5):Engraved on a brass plaque on the top of the presentation case is, "Presented to the Connecticut/ Historical Society/ By Col Colt".
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Bill Savitt
