Guns International #: 102451327

Category - Colt Revolvers - Antique Percussion - Civil War Revolvers

Category
Colt Revolvers - Antique Percussion
Civil War Revolvers

Documented Factory Engraved Samuel Colt Officer Presentation 1851 Colt Navy Revolver Civil War April 1861 US Army Shipped HISTORY

Description:
Documented Historic Factory Engraved Civil War Samuel Colt Officer Presentation Model 1851 Colt Navy Percussion Revolver with Relief Carved Cuirassier Ivory Grips Shipped to Major of Ordnance William A. Thornton, United States Army, c/o Col. Daniel D. Tompkins Asst. Quartermaster General, .36 Cal, mfg. 1860 as stock; ordered & shipped April 1861. Easily the finest Civil War revolver we have ever offered and a real show stopper that was absolutely carried into battle by a very high ranking officer. History aside it is a magnificent 100% original factory engraved revolver in wonderful condition yet what makes it particularly rare and of great historical significance is that it is 1 of 10 identical pistols shipped to the United States Army right at the outbreak of the Civil War in April 1861 as gifts to officers from Samuel Colt. Typically you should only see W. A. Thornton or D. D. Tompkins' names on a factory letter for large government purchases of martial arms, not high grade commercial presentation pieces. Samuel Colt was well known for presenting revolvers to important and influential persons with the intent of gaining contracts and personal favor however when his motives were called into question by congress in 1854 he had to devise more secretive ways for gifting such guns. Enter Captain Robert H.K. Whiteley and Major William A. Thornton, both ordnance officers in charge of acquiring arms for the U.S. Army. Between 1856-1863 Whiteley "purchased" 198 special order revolvers from Colt while Thornton "purchased" 36 special order guns. On paper it appeared these arms were simply bought at the request of fellow officers however the money spent on them out of pocket was greater than Whiteley and Thornton's salaries could support and no commissions were ever credited or paid to either from Colt. As realized by the late author & historian Herbert Houze in his book "Colt Presentations" - "The question then arises as to why accounts were set up to record purchases and payments for arms which were to be given away. The answer, simply put, is that they were 'straw accounts' established to conceal the distribution of presentation arms by Samuel Colt...presentations to anyone of political significance ceased to be publicly booked in the company's records. Instead, they were carried out 'at arms length'. Consequently, the use of Thornton and Whiteley to distribute such gifts was a logical outcome of the inventor's caution, especially when one considers the number of arms involved (234 revolvers at a cost of slightly under $6,000.00)". Between April 1859-April 1861 Thornton received 24 revolvers in 1 to 3 gun orders but his most significant order (which includes our subject revolver) came less than two weeks after the firing on Fort Sumpter. Thornton "ordered" the revolvers in an official Ordnance Department letter to Samuel Colt dated April 24th, 1861 and the guns were shipped from Colt on the 26th as recorded in the factory records. The "charge" to Thornton's account is recorded as follows: "April 27. 1861 For 10 Navy Engraved Pistols with all Apps & Spare parts Complete in Cases $250.00". (It should be noted that these revolvers were delivered with cases which do not appear in the factory records, perhaps intentionally, and it is our strong opinion that the ivory grips fitted to this revolver are factory original although grips were noted as "wood" in the records. They fit perfectly, are carved in a known factory pattern, and are correctly hand numbered to the gun along the backstrap in period ink). Just who the recipient of this revolver was is unknown at present but one could theorize that the revolvers were intended for the top graduates of the West Point class of 1861 which graduated in May. William A. Thornton graduated West Point in 1825 and inspected contract arms from 1858-1861 ("WAT" cartouche found on martial arms of this period). At the time these 10 engraved Navies were delivered he had climbed the ranks to Major of Ordnance at New York Arsenal on Governor's Island in Manhattan. Just weeks later he was commander of Watervliet Arsenal and by 1863 was promoted to Colonel, then Brvt. Brig. General. Daniel D. Tompkins graduated West Point in 1820 and served as Colonel of the Quartermaster's Department in New York from 1861-1863. According to "The Book of Colt Firearms" by R. L. Wilson "Engraved specimens were produced as stock items in the Model 1851 series. Serial numbers of these arms usually run in series, showing the engraving to have been customarily done in batches". This explains why the gun was manufactured in 1860 according to serial number yet shipped in 1861 when it was pulled from stock. The engraving is likely the work of Herman Bodenstein, the apprentice of Gustave Young who served as Colt's main engraver during this period while Young was away in Germany. The engraving is in the classic style of Young's patterns featuring tight flowing scrolls with the iconic wolf's head motif on the hammer and five punch dots indicating 50 hours of work. The metal has a smooth silvery/gray patina overall with sharp edges and crisp engraving throughout. The brass gripstraps retain 80% factory silver plating and approximately 50% of the naval battle cylinder scene is visible. Matching serial number "93243" is stamped on the frame, barrel, cylinder, triggerguard, backstrap, loading lever, wedge, and arbor with correct punch dots struck below to denote factory engraving. Additionally the serial number is written in period factory style ink on the grips along the backstrap. The one-piece ivory grips feature a high relief carved bust of a romantic Cuirassier cavalryman on the left side with evidence of a plaque having been mounted on the right side which was lost long ago. The quality is of the highest standard and the grips have a lovely yellowed color with typical age checking on the butt and a stable old crack on the right side. A small deliberate looking notch cut into the upper left grip may indicate a kill by it's owner. Clear original Colt barrel address, serial numbers, and inscribed "COLTS PATENT" marking. All screws are original and sharp without marring. Rare factory German Silver blade front sight mounted atop a dovetailed iron base (reference "The Book of Colt Firearms" R.L. Wilson page 125). The action is tight, super crisp, and functions flawlessly. All nipples are perfect originals. Clean bore with bright, sharp rifling front to back and only light blackpowder frosting. A documented deluxe Colt revolver shipped to a Civil War commanding officer for presentation by Samuel Colt himself is an extreme rarity and highlight among the most advanced collection - really a museum level piece. Provenance: From the esteemed John Fox collection. *NOTE* Due to ivory restrictions this pistol will not be sold or shipped to residents of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, or Washington. Please expect 2 weeks additional shipping time for secure Registered Mail. Jeremiah Johnson Trading sells antique arms manufactured prior to 1899 and muzzleloading blackpowder reproductions only. For the purpose of these conditions the term "antique arms" will also include muzzleloading blackpowder reproductions. Buyers must be 21 years of age or older and have no felony convictions to purchase antique arms. Antique arms do not require Federal licensing and may be shipped directly to the buyer with the following exceptions. No antique arms will be shipped to Washington D. C. or any of the five boroughs of New York City (or residents thereof). Some restrictions may apply to antique firearms shipped to California and will be noted in the item description if applicable. Any antique arm shipped to New Jersey must ship to a licensed FFL holder, no exceptions. Any muzzleloading blackpowder reproduction rifle, shotgun, or handgun shipped to Illinois must ship to an FFL holder. Items containing antique ivory will not be sold or shipped to residents of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, or Washington. Antique muzzleloaders and antiques which fire obsolete cartridges may be shipped internationally however it is the responsibility of the buyer to know and abide by their local laws and provide proof that the antique arm is legal to receive and own. Payment can be made by money order, banker's check, personal check, credit card (no additional fees), or bank wire. Please allow 7-10 business days for clearance on personal checks. If paying by credit card please call us directly to process your order. Items are professionally packed and shipped USPS Priority Mail with insurance coverage for the sale price and signature required for delivery. Items valued over $5,000.00 are shipped Registered Mail. Buyer pays actual shipping costs with no added charge for packing materials or handling. We describe items accurately and thoroughly. If an item has been misrepresented or significant defect overlooked you may return it for a full refund (minus return shipping costs) within 3 days of having received it. This timeframe begins once the package is delivered by the carrier. Buyer's remorse or concerns over issues noted in the description and/or pictures is not a valid excuse for return. Returned items must be received in the same condition as originally shipped - cleaning, disassembly, alteration, or damage of any kind will void inspection privileges. Occasionally a post-1898 firearm from my personal collection may be sold under this account and any such transaction is a personal sale in no way affiliated with Jeremiah Johnson Trading. Any such arm will be shipped to a licensed FFL or C&R holder in accordance with Federal law. All antique arms are sold as collector's items and are not warranted safe for shooting. Please consult a competent gunsmith prior to shooting any firearm.

SOLD

Antique: Yes
Handgun Caliber: .36
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1851 Navy
Serial Number: 93243
Finish: Blue/Silver
Sights: Factory German Silver Blade
Manufacture Date: Shipped April 1861
Engraving: Yes
Extras: Factory Letter