Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Herb Houze
| 5B-104 | Values—Good $750 | Fine $2,500 |
Standard version of the Model 1862 Police, in 4-1/2", 5-1/2", or 6-1/2" barrel lengths. NEW YORK barrel address:
| 5B-105 | Values—Good $600 | Fine $2,000 |
As above, but with steel gripstraps, and L beneath serial numbers on bottom of gun; for sales to England. Usually found with British proofmarks:
| 5B-106 | Values—Good $650 | Fine $2,250 |
As above, but with ADDRESS COL. COLT/LONDONbarrel marking. Generally high serial ranges, and rare:
| 5B-107 | Values—Good $1,100 | Fine $4,750 |
Colt Pocket Model of Navy Caliber Revolver
Pocket Model of Navy Caliber Revolver; in earlier days of collecting, erroneously called the “Model of 1853” and in more recent times named the “Model 1862 Pocket Navy” revolver. Now more correctly termed the “Pocket Model of Navy Caliber” or merely “Pocket Navy.” Recent studies concluded that it was numbered in its own serial range, and not, as formerly believed, having shared the number series with the Model 1862 Police (above). Exact years of production undetermined; estimated sometime between 1863 and 1865 extending to approximately 1872. Under 22,000 manufactured (of which a large percentage were either shipped as factory conversions to cartridge or made originally as cartridge models). Serial numbers of all “New York”-marked specimens fall in that serial range (under 22,000); a small group of “LONDON”-marked specimens (see 5B-110) recorded in the serial range 37,000!) The “Pocket Model of Navy Caliber” has always been among the scarcer of the Colt percussion revolvers. Its basic variations are as follows:
36 caliber. 5-shot round, rebated cylinder. 4-1/2", 5-1/2", and 6-1/2" barrels, octagonal, with the Model 1851 Navy style hinged loading lever.
Grips of one piece walnut. Casehardened frame, hammer, and lever; remainder blued. The gripstraps of silver plated brass.
Serial numbering began at 1 and continued (with the Model 1862 Police) through approximately 47000. It is not known for certain whether the number 1 was marked on the Model 1862 Police, or the Pocket Navy—or perhaps both. Some duplication is considered likely to have occurred. The standard barrel marking was: ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA. On the left side of the frame: COLTS/PATENT. The cylinder roll scene was the stagecoach holdup.
Standard version, in 4-1/2", 5-1/2", or 6-1/2" barrel lengths:
5B-108
| 5B-108 | Values—Good $625 | Fine $2,250 |
New York barrel address, with blued steel grip straps and L markings with most serial numbers (for English market):
| 5B-109 | Values—Good $700 | Fine $2,750 |
ADDRESS COL. COLT/LONDONbarrel marking, with British proofmarks and blued steel grip straps. (These were made at the Hartford factory for sale in their London office. Very limited production. Serial numbers recorded in the 17,000, 34,000, 37,000 and 39,000 serial ranges). Rare and seldom encountered.
| 5B-110 | Values—Good $950 | Fine $4,500 |
Thuer Conversion Colt Revolvers
Thuer Conversion Revolvers. Manufactured c. 1869-72; in a total production of about 5,000. The Thuer was Colt’s first production of revolving firearms chambered for metallic cartridges. Production was in several models, as pointed out in the valuations listed below.
31, 36, and 44 calibers; all in the specially designed tapered Thuer cartridge. The design of these arms also allowed for changing of cylinders, in order to employ the cap and ball system. All cylinders were six-shot. Barrel lengths varied according to model.
Grips and finishes were standard according to the various models. This was also true with serial numbers, which generally appear in the higher ranges. Barrel, frame, and serial number markings were likewise conventional. However, distinctive to all Thuer conversions is the marking on the conversion ring (positioned at the breech end of the cylinder): PAT.SEP./15.1868; an E, in script, was marked on the ring at the eject position.
Besides the markings, the Thuer rings are easily identifiable by the presence of a turning knob, the rebounding firing pin, the ejection mechanism, and the fact that, with removal of the cylinder, the ring itself is removed as a separate unit. The ring fits over an extension left on the breech end of the cylinder where metal was machined off. Barrel lugs of the following models were machined on the right side to allow for front loading of the cylinders with the Thuer cartridge: Model 1849 Pocket, 1851 Navy, 1860 Army, 1861 Navy, 1862 Police, 1862 Pocket Navy. (Note: Though failing to prove a practical product, the Thuer’s status as the first metallic cartridge revolving Colt firearm places specimens in a prized category for the Colt collector. Limited production has made the type quite desirable but has also attracted a certain amount of faking. Collectors should be extremely wary when acquiring this model.)
Major models are as follows:
Model 1849 Pocket revolver, various barrel lengths:
| 5B-111 | Values—Very Good $4,750 | Exc. $12,500 |
Model 1851 Navy:
5B-112 1851 Navy Conversion
| 5B-112 | Values—Very Good $5,000 | Exc. $14,000 |
Model 1860 Army:
5B-113 1860 Army Conversion
| 5B-113 | Values—Very Good $5,500 | Exc. $16,500 |
Model 1861 Navy:
| 5B-114 |
Values—Very |