Outstanding Cased Colt London Navy circa 1855

This is a very good cased Colt Navy Revolver in 36 calibre manufactured in the London factory and stamped as such with British proofs and Colt’s London address. At this level the set would be difficult to better. The gun has a crisp action with a bright bore and much original finish. There is a very good cylinder scene with the silver plating extant on the trigger guard. The set is in the correct British case and contains the correct accessories including a Sykes stamped powder flask. The quality of the accessories is commensurate with the quality of the revolver and this is an exceptional set that has not been “improved” The finish of the revolver is original and rates at 90%. Were it not for some careless but typical marks and a light surface scratch around the wedge, this revolver would increase in value to the sort of money we see Texan millionaires paying in USA Auction Houses.
Colt believed that his London factory was the most important expansion of his business because of the potential sales throughout the British Empire and it is said that the examples made in the London factory were superior to those made in the USA factories. To research Colt London revolvers read Rosa’s seminal work “Colonel Colt of London”. Superior finish on Colt London revolvers included domed head screws, better cross hatching on the hammer and enhanced silver plating on the trigger guard.
It is little known or advertised that Colt’s British aspirations were destroyed when he was caught smuggling Colt Navy revolvers to Britain’s enemy - Russia at the height of the Crimean War and became persona non grata to the British Government. Colt closed his London factory never to manufacture in the United Kingdom again.
This is a very attractive cased London Navy and “ticks all the boxes” with great eye appeal and potential investment value.

Code: 50616