Guns International #: 103464669
Seller's Inventory #: 250518

Category - Civil War Revolvers - Colt Revolvers - Antique

Category
Civil War Revolvers
Colt Revolvers - Antique

CIVIL WAR Antique COLT Model 1849 .31 Revolver Personalized Inscription to Private S. Smithers, Co. G, 8th Illinois Infantry

Description:
CIVIL WAR Antique COLT Model 1849 .31 Revolver Personalized Inscription to

Private S. Smithers, Co. G, 8th Illinois Infantry

Here we present an antique Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver, Inscribed “S. Smithers”, made during the American Civil War in 1862 in Hartford, Connecticut. The back strap is inscribed with the name “S. Smithers”. Oral tradition is that this revolver belonged to Private Samuel Smithers of Company G of the 8th Illinois Infantry, during the Civil War. Smithers was born in 1834 in Madison County, Indiana, and married Mary Elizabeth Blakenship in 1854 and they resided in Ross, Illinois, in Vermilion County. He was drafted into the 8th IL on September 16, 1864, as a Private and he served through September 9, 1865. The regiment was originally raised for three years’ service on July 25, 1861, though it actually saw greater service, all the way until May 13, 1866. The regiment lost 6 officers and 160 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, and 155 enlisted men to disease. This latter figure is always shocking, and there were untold numbers of men who survived the war and returned home but were never the same physically dueto the disease and conditions they endured during their service. During Smithers’s time in the 8th, he would have seen duty and combat as follows (per the National Park Service):

Movement to Memphis, Tenn., and return October 18-30. Moved to Duvall's Bluff November 9, thence to Memphis, Tenn., November 28. March to Moscow and return December 29-31. Moved to New Orleans, La., January 1-4, 1865. Campaign against Mobile and its defences February to April. Siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely March 26-April 8. Assault and capture of Fort Blakely April 9. Occupation of Mobile April 12. Duty at Mobile till May 27. Moved to New Orleans, La., thence to Shreveport May 27-June 9. Moved to Marshall, Texas, and duty there till September.

Smithers and his wife died at fairly young ages, in 1873 and 1873 respectively, and were both buried in Potomac Cemetery in Vermilion County, Illinois.

The Model 1849 Pocket, the replacement for the Baby Dragoon, was the most widely produced of any Colt percussion pistol. Nearly 340,000 were manufactured during its 23-year production run that ended in 1873. Over 280,000 of these were produced by Colt’s factory at Hartford by the end of the Civil War in 1865. These were very popular and saw a lot of use on the battlefield, on the home front and in the West. These were some of the smallest, handiest pocket revolvers of the time.

Though not a primary military arm during the American Civil War, these handguns were commonly privately purchased by soldiers for use on the battlefield. Whether legend or fact, it is interesting to note something commonly read about pocket revolvers of the day, that while they could be used for self-defense against the enemy, many soldiers kept them on their person to defend themselves against an unwanted amputation in the primitive field hospitals that were notorious, even in their day.

The overall condition is very good. Original finish and patina. Solid grip with only average handling evidence. Markings are legible. The cylinder scene is intact. Bright bore with sharp rifling. Excellent action. Numbers match.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 5 inches.

Caliber: .31 percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. Delivered directly to your door by express mail!

Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.

ancestryguns

$2400

#250518
 

Antique: Yes

Price: $2,400.00
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