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Colt Brevette Percussion Revolver, Copy of 1851 Navy, Made in Europe Circa 1850's
Guns International #: 101642573 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Colt Revolvers - Antique Percussion - Antique Revolvers - Percussion
Seller's Information
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Seller: Brent Wilburn
Company: Antique Arms, Inc.
Member Since: 11/19/15
First Name: Brent
Last Name: Wilburn
State: Georgia
Zip: 30052
Country: United States
Phone: (678) 471-1432
Phone2: (678) 471-1432
Premium Seller
Number of Active Listings: 36
Total Number of Listings: 580
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Money Order, Certified Check
Description:
This is a spurious copy of a Colt Revolver that was probably made in Belgium during the 1850's. These are commonly referred to by Collectors as "Colt Brevetes". Sam Colt Patented his revolver in the both the United States and Europe but that didn't stop makers both domestic and abroad from cashing in on his invention. What's interesting about Brevetes is that while some follow the Colt designs very closely...even down to the markings....others like this one have a much broader interpretation of what a revolver should look like or slang. One advantage though that Colt had over most European makers was what became to be known by the 1830's and 40's as "The American System" of manufacture that came out of the Harpers Ferry Rifle Works by Hall in which machines were developed to produce interchangeable parts with low-skilled workers. In contrast, Europe still used the centuries old practice of a guild system which was basically a pyaramid of contractors or workers to build and fit each part by hand. Until the introduction of modern machinery years later, the infringers back in the 1850's and 60's could never complete with Colt in terms of Quantity, Consistency, or Quality in their copies. In the latter two attributes, that reminds me a lot of another country that likes to copy American products. The architecture of this gun is somewhat elongated or "stretched" in appearance than to an original Colt. It almost gives the appearance of a crouching predator. The low-profile to the action and the unusual slant to the grips is almost cartoon-like but it actually fits pretty well in the palm of your hand. Maybe they were onto something. My guess would be that whoever this Belgian maker was, they adopted some of the contours of a single shot percussion pistol to a revolver design. Features include a 6" Octagonal Barrel with 6 shot cylinder. Bore measures to .35 Caliber and is a little smaller than a standard 1851 Navy. The barrel is fairly consistent with that of a Colt in terms of the overall shape as well as the loading lever. The only difference is that there are two small cutouts on both sides just below the barrel...presumably for loading...where Colt always had his on the right side just above the frame junction. Grips are 2 piece made of European walnut...squared butt with a highly flared-out backstrap. Colt's were one piece...which would have been very time-consuming to make by hand....being an industrialist with Yankee ingenuity, Colt had the machinery to inlet a single block of wood with relatively minor hand-fitting needed. The trigger guard is of a European style squareback design with an elongated spur...a trend that was extremely popular in the early 1850's in both America and Europe. Probably the most notable variance though from the Colt design is that the backstrap is integral to part of the frame which makes up most of the left panel behind the recoil shield...it appears to interlock into the frame by sliding laterally from left to right into the frame along a small key which is visible just above the trigger. Some other internal differences are that the barrel and frame mate with one centered guide pin instead of two, there is is no threading (grease channel) on the cylinder arbor pin like a Colt BUT there is a very curious addition of a spring along the bottom to keep the cylinder from sliding off. Also, the hand to rotate the cylinder is on the right side instead of the left and strangely, there is no checkered knurling on the hammer. Just a very strange and intriguing combination of excesses and deficits on this Brevete in comparison with a Colt. Overall Condition Grades to NRA Antique Fine. There is 70% original high polish charcoal blue on the barrel with traces remaining on the cylinder. The balance of the metal has flaked at different points over the past 160+ years in time with some areas brown while other sections are more silvery grey. No roll scene or any markings are present on this gun. The frame is case color hardened that has mostly softened to a smooth silvery grey with littled remannts of mottled colors with some darker blue colors remaining towards the front of the frame.
Mechanics work nicely BTW, there is one that is nearly identical to this one on "Forgotten Weapons" posted on youtube in 2016 in which the host Ian identifies it as being "Belgian"....the design is exactly the same...the only difference being that one has a roll-engraved cylinder scene while this one is plain. A good Brevete is a must-have for every serious Colt Percussion Collection and this one certainly stands out from most of the closer copies that you find on the market. Just a very unique interpretation. Antique, Pre-1898 Percussion Revolver. No FFL required but cannot be shipped to Chicago, NYC, NJ, DC, or HI. Buyer must be 21 years of age and a non-felon. 25.00 shipping.
Price: $1,995.00
Antique: Yes
Manufacturer: Unknown