Summary

Colt Brevete percussion revolver, Belgian copy produced under patent of an 1851 Colt Navy revolver, cal. .36 in., rifled octagonal barrel 191 mm (7 1/2 inch) long with loading lever attached.

Serial number 5466. Made by L. Ghaye, Belgium, 1850s.

Physical Description

Six chambered cylinder engraved with soldier and Indian battle scene - a copy of that originally used on Colt Dragoon model revolvers, rather than the naval battle scene found on the 1851 Navy, small rounded brass trigger guard, steel frame, brass back strap, wooden grips, thin loading level catch modelled off a Colt lever colt, pin style front sight. No knurling on hammer. No barrel address, rather barrel is stamped 'COLT/ PATENT'. Cylinder stamped with Liege (Belgium) proof marks and 'G' under a crown. In place of typical Colt serial number on cylinder, cylinder is engraved 'colt patent'. Strong original blueing overall on barrel, and light case-hardening colours to loading lever and frame. .

Significance

Colt took out his Belgian patent dated 21 August 1849 and, like many European countries at the time, an article patented had to be produced in that country within two years, otherwise the patent became void. By the time Colt was able to arrange for patent revolvers to be produced in Belgium, imitations of his 1851 Navy revolver were already being made by the gunmaking centres of Belgium outside of the patent (see ST26702). Many of the genuine 'Belgium Colts', as they are also known, have the name 'N.Gillon' or 'L.'Ghaye' stamped on them. Although it is far from clear, it is often taken that Gilon and Ghaye were Colt Licensees, producing legitimate Colt copies under patent, hence the stamping of the name 'Ghaye' on this particular example - a practice a patent infringer is likely to have undertaken. Belgium Colts are generally modelled after the early fourth model Colt Navy.

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