Colt 1851 R.E. Lee & U.S. Grant C-Series Revolvers Percussion Guns, Cases & More, 1971 36 Cal Antique

SOLD FOR: $1,111.64
LSB#: 180914AZ08, 180914AZ15

Make: Colt

Model: 2nd Generation “C-Series” 1851 Navy Robert E. Lee & Ulysses S. Grant Commemorative

Serial Number: 180914AZ08: 3970 REL, 180914AZ15: 3970 USG

Year of Manufacture: 1971

Caliber: .36 Caliber Ball

Action Type: Single Action Percussion Black Powder Revolvers

Markings:

180914AZ08: The left of the barrel is marked “ROBERT E. LEE COMMEMORATIVE – NINTEEN SEVENTY ONE”, the top is marked “- ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY -“. The bottom of the barrel assembly is marked “3970”, found again on the bottom of the trigger guard and backstrap, the bottom of the frame between the barrel assembly and trigger guard is marked “3970 / REL”. The cylinder is roll-marked with a naval scene and marked “ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843” at the front edge and “COLT’S PATENT NO. 3970 / Engraved by W.L. Ormsby New York”. The left of the frame is marked “COLTS / PATENT”.

180914AZ15: The left of the barrel is marked “ULYSSES S. GRANT COMMEMORATIVE – NINTEEN SEVENTY ONE”, the top is marked “- ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY -“. The bottom of the barrel assembly is marked “3970”, found again on the bottom of the trigger guard and backstrap, the bottom of the frame between the barrel assembly and trigger guard is marked “3970 / USG”. The cylinder is roll-marked with a naval scene and marked “ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843” at the front edge and “COLT’S PATENT NO. 3970 / Engraved by W.L. Ormsby New York”. The left of the frame is marked “COLTS / PATENT”.

Barrel Length: 7 1/2″

Sights / Optics: The front sights are conical brass beads fixed to the fronts of the barrels. The rear sights are notches in the hammers, useable with the hammers cocked.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are one-piece smooth wood.

180914AZ08: There is a small compression on the left at the top-front and light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grip is in about Fine-Excellent condition.

180914AZ15: There is a small compression on the left just below and forward of center and a light mark on the bottom-left edge just rear of center. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grip is in about Fine-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blue, Case-Colored & Silver

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bores are bright, their rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bores.

Overall Condition: These revolvers retain 99+% of their metal finish. There are only a few scattered light marks. The case-coloring is vivid. There is no notable operational wear and the cylinders do not have turn-lines. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, these revolvers are in Excellent condition.

Mechanics: As the revolvers do not exhibit any operational wear, we chose not to operate them which may cause such operational wear. There is nothing to indicate that the actions do not function correctly. We did not fire these hadguns. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards (just kidding, these guns are clean.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Each revolver comes in an English fit walnut presentation case, the Lee revolver with gray velvet and satin lining, the Grant with blue. Each case has fitted storage compartments for the revolver and included accessories consisting of a cap tin (empty), powder flask (empty), bullet/ball mold, combination nipple-wrench/screw driver, and a key for the case’s lock. The Grant revolver’s powder flask is a James Dixon & Sons plain patent-top, allowing the charge to be adjusted from 1/2 gram to 5/8 and 3/4 gram. The Lee revolver’s powder flask has a fixed 20 grain charge with the spigot intentionally tilted to the side to make it easier to pour into the chamber. The Lee flask has embossed crossed rifles and pistols over a flags and cannon scene. Both flasks are marked as made by Dixon & Sons in England. Each bullet/ball mold is marked “COLT’S PATENT” on top of its case-colored sprue. The lids of the cases and the satin lining on the inside of the lids are marked “ROBERT E. LEE” and “ULYSSES S. GRANT” “COMMEMORATIVE / NINETEEN SEVENTY ONE” with circled rampant colt logos on the inside of the lids and Colt medallions on the exterior. The cases show scattered light wear on the exterior with no chips or cracks and light wear on the interior from the contents, in about Fine condition. The accessories are all in Excellent condition.

Our Assessment: Made by Colt in 1971 to celebrate the pivotal leaders of each side of the United States Civil War, these two 1851 Navy percussion revolvers are 2nd Generation Colt black powder revolvers in Excellent condition. The revolvers exhibit deep Colt bluing, vivid Colt case-coloring and silver-plated brass grip frames and come with matching serial numbers, presentation cases and accessories. Only 4,750 of each revolver was made with individual cases like these, and finding a matching pair is not easy. There were another 250 made as two-gun sets, but these are individual guns which match each other. These would make a great addition to any Colt or Civil War collection and are ready to display. Please see our photos and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: These percussion revolvers CAN be transferred in California.