Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Herb Houze
range (1 through 42000), they feature large trigger guards, and blued or (uncommon) silver plated steel gripstraps. Standard barrel marking: ADDRESS. COL: COLT.LONDON; British proofmarks present on the breech end of the cylinder and on left side of the barrel lug. Manufacturing dates were 1853 through 1857. The two standard models are:
First Model; Serial numbers in the range 1 to approximately 2000, brass gripstraps (some trigger guards square-back [rare and worth a considerable premium], but small round was standard), several parts of Hartford make:
| 5B-062 | Values—Good $950 | Fine $4,250 |
Second Model; Serial range from approximately 2000 to end of production, all parts London made, steel gripstraps with the trigger guard of large rounded size (small iron trigger guard rare; worth premium):
| 5B-063 | Values—Good $900 | Fine $3,850 |
British, Canadian, Australian, Austrian and other martially-marked New York and London-marked 1851s. There are quite a few variations of British War Department markings (W.D. accompanied by motif of arrow; known as the “Broad Arrow”) to indicate government ownership; Canadian marks (U.C. for Upper Canada and L.C. for Lower Canada); Australian police and military ownership marks; Austrian government KM (“Kriegs Marine” Imperial Navy markings, usually with a serial number and most often seen marked on the top of the brass backstrap) and other obscure foreign military-marked Navies. Such identifiable, authentic markings usually increase values a minimum of 25 percent to those; possibly as high as 100 percent or more depending on their rarity, historic associations. Information on such markings is found in the J. Rosa work Colonel Colt London and N. Swayze’s ’51 Colt Navies (see Biblio.) 5B-063.5
Colt Model 1855 Sidehammer Pocket Revolver and “Charter Oak” Grips
Model 1855 Sidehammer Pocket Revolver. Most commonly known among collectors as the “Root Model” after Elisha K. Root, the noted Colt designer (although Samuel Colt himself actually was the inventor of this model). Entered into production in 1855, and discontinued c. 1870. Made in two distinct serial sequences, with the total quantity approximately 40,000. The model was Colt’s only percussion handgun built on the solid frame principle, in contrast to the firm’s standard design of barrel and cylinder which are readily removable from the frame. Other features permitting the quick identification of Model 1855 pistols are the hammer mounted on the right side of the frame, the spur trigger, the cylinder pin’s entry into the frame from the rear, and the “wraparound grip” secured to the backstrap (no trigger guard strap is present).
Serial numbering is in two sequences, based on caliber. The first production, in 28 caliber, is numbered 1 through about 30,000. (Made through to 1861).The second production, in 31 caliber, is numbered separately from 1 through 14,000 range (by the end of the Civil War in 1865 they reached approximately to 10000 range). Most pistols with octagonal barrels were chambered for 28 caliber, and had only 3-1/2" barrel lengths. All pistols with round barrels are 31 caliber, and have either 3-1/2" or 4-1/2" barrel lengths. Standard finish throughout production was casehardened hammer and loading lever; the balance blued.
Standard grips are one piece, varnished walnut (unique in all of the Colt handgun line). A few of these Root models were fitted with special oak wood grips made from Connecticut’s most famous and historic ancient tree, under which its original royal charter had been signed centuries earlier. In 1865 the tree was toppled by a violent storm and ultimately its remains were acquired by Samuel Colt. Aside from having some personal furniture (including a carved cradle) made from that wood, Colt fitted a small group of these Root models with grips also made from it, popularly named “CHARTER OAK.” A number of those handguns were handsomely engraved and also inscribed with a presentation from Colt personally, mentioning that very fact “...Charter Oak Stock” on some of them. A few plain Root models were also fitted with those Charter Oak grips. Values for authentic specimens may be increased upwards considerably depending on historic inscription, engraving and condition.
A thorough classification of the seven basic variations of the Sidehammer series has been made by S. Gerald Keogh, in the monograph Samuel Colt’s New Model Pocket Pistols. The breakdown is by details of barrel length, shape, and marking, cylinder shape and roll engraving, means of securing the cylinder pin, cylinder pin type, caliber, loading levers, and so forth. Rather complicated, only basics are noted here:
Models 1 and 1A; 3-7/16" octagon barrel, full octagon loading lever, Hartford barrel address without pointing hand motif, 28 caliber, Cabin and Indian cylinder scene, serial range 1 - 384. Minor difference: capping groove cutout on right recoil shield of Model 1 is 1/2" (serial range 1-175); groove is 5/8" on Model 1A (same as on all other models):
| 5B-064 | Values—Good $950 | Fine $6,500 |
Model 2; 3-1/2" octagon barrel, Hartford barrel address with pointing hand motif, 28 caliber, Cabin and Indian cylinder scene, serial range 476 - 25000:
5B-065
| 5B-065 | Values—Good $425 | Fine $1,250 |
Model 3; 3-1/2" octagon barrel, Hartford address, pointing hand motif, used until approximately serial 26000, 28 caliber, full fluted cylinder, serial number range 25001 to 30000:
| 5B-066 | Values—Good $425 | Fine $1,250 |
Model 3A; 3-1/2" octagon barrel, Hartford address, 31 caliber, full fluted cylinder, serial number range 1 to 1350:
| 5B-067 | Values—Good $475 | Fine $1,450 |
Model 4; 3-1/2" octagon barrel, Hartford barrel address without pointing hand motif, 31 caliber, full fluted cylinder. Serial range 1351 - 2400:
| 5B-068 | Values—Good $475 | Fine $1,450 |
Model 5; 3-1/2" round barrel, COL. COLT NEW-YORK, etc. barrel address, 31 caliber, full fluted cylinder, serial range 2401 - 8000:
5B-069
| 5B-069 | Values—Good $385 | Fine $1,100 |
Model 5A; Same as Model 5, except the barrel length of 4-1/2"; serial range also the same:
| 5B-070 | Values—Good $600 | Fine $1,850 |
Models