Project Description
This is a very unusual, & maybe one-of-a-kind, Uberti or U. S. Historical Society “Prestige Edition” tribute to the United States Navy. It is a 47% Colt 1851 Navy revolver that was obviously made by Uberti in Italy, probably a prototype for the U.S. Historical Society, or maybe the U.S. Navy? The reason I say that, is Uberti never stamped the serial number, or partial serial number into the side of the cylinder for their production miniatures, but they did for the USHS miniatures. Both sides of the barrel are heavily gold inlaid “**** UNITED STATED NAVY ***” on the side flats. In addition, there are gold inlaid round inlays with fleur de leis at the top & a shield in the center on the rear part of the barrel below the above inscriptions. Fully functional, but non-firing. 6 1/4″ long overall with a 3 1/2″ octagon rifled barrel of .17 caliber. The frame, hammer, rammer, and loading lever are case colored. The balance of the steel parts finished in their standard high polish black-blue. The brass triggerguard, backstrap, and bead front sight are starting to show just a little aged patina. Checkered hammer spur and loading lever latch. The top flat of the barrel factory roll stamped with the proper barrel address “- ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY -“. The L in SAML smaller, raised, & underlined correctly. “36 CAL” marked at the left rear of the triggerguard. “COLT’S, PATENT” stamped into the left front of the frame in two lines. The cylinder roll stamped with the correct Ormsby naval battle scene, & the roll engraving filled with gold leaf! Serial number “761” stamped into the barrel lug, frame, triggerguard, & backstrap. “61” stamped into the side of the cylinder. In addition, the bottom of the grip has an additional number “825” stamped perpendicular to the normal serial number & in a larger font. Looks to me like they may have taken a “Classic Edition” USHS 1851 Navy & modified it, as it is obviously not modified form a “Presidential Edition” which would be heavily engraved, have gold plated triggerguard & backstrap, & pearl grip. The bottom of the barrel under the loading lever has no Uberti markings, again typical of USHS production. Uberti always put their maker’s mark on the bottom of the barrel on their miniature production miniatures. Nicely figured one piece rosewood grip with a satin oil finish. I’ve been dealing in miniature firearms for 31 years, & was a factory distributor, not dealer, for Uberti miniatures back when miniatures their miniatures were still in production, & I’ve never seen one of these before! If any of you know the story on this miniature, I’d love to hear from you!!! Beautiful mint new condition, & sure to be a centerpiece of any miniature Colt collection!!! I can supply a nice USHS “Presidential Edition” glass topped mahogany case for this if you are interested, for an additional $150.00, but it has the standard USHS Presidential brass plaque. Just makes a nice, closed dust free display. Price: $2,250.00.
