DOCUMENTED TEXAS BORDER WARS CAVALRYMAN’S GUN, RARE DUAL FACTORY-INSCRIBED PRESENTATION COLT M1896 DOUBLE ACTION
Description:
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Description:
Very few old Colts are Factory Inscribed with this Amount Of Information!!
The features of this pistol are generally compatible with the Colt Model 1892 DA series that were
first issued for field use by the U. S. cavalry during the 1890’s. It is similar in that it is
chambered for the early large bore (0.375”) 38 long Colt cartridge and equipped with a 6” barrel and standard fixed sights. It differs from the U. S. issue Colts in that the grips are the standard checkered hard rubber with a rampant Colt at the top, the blue finish is of the bright commercial grade, there is no lanyard swivel, and no government inspection marks or other army markings are present. This revolver
retains about 95% of the original fire blue finish and is
inscribed on both the right sideplate and down the backstrap. The sideplate inscription reads
“First Prize Skirmish Match 1900”, while the backstrap is engraved in a single line
“G. B. Regar 2nd Troop PCC NGP”. This well-preserved Colt operates perfectly and
locks up tight on cocking or in use as a double action. All parts are original with matching numbers. Bore is bright shiny excellent.
The
original black holster is generally of the style issued by the U.S. military during the period for this Colt model, although not arsenal marked. The slim form-fitting holster is equipped with a full protective flap that may be secured down by an early type brass snap. A 3 inch wide belt loop is attached to the back of the holster by a total of 7 rivets, and was compatible with a Mills pattern woven cartridge belt for large caliber rifle bullets (45-70, 30-40, or 30-06). The part of the holster that supports the outer trigger guard bow is constructed with an overlapping leather design for greater strength, and the muzzle end includes a sewed concave leather plug complete with a small drain hole. Leather remains soft and pliable.
The Mexican border wars began after the Texan’s victory in 1836, but in 1910 the intensity really ramped up. The
Plan of San Diego for Mexico to retake the southwestern states was discovered in 1915, but it made headline news by Jan 1917 when this plan was again
revealed in the intercepted German “Zimmerman note”. In an unrelated event,
Villa’s raiders spurred into the sleeping village of Columbus, New Mexico on the night of March 9, 1916, killing 17 civilians and burning much of the town.
Pershing then crossed the border into Mexico on March 15th with two initial regiments of cavalry and a battery of artillery to begin the so-called “Punitive Expedition”. This expedition was increased to 11,000 troops. But that left many towns, ranches, and even trains in the southern brush country of the border states at risk. Accordingly on the night of
May 5, 1916 two groups of Mexican raiders surprised the small Texas villages of Glenn Springs and Boquillas in Brewster County, killing at least four citizens. This increasing menace of unexpected invasions from Mexico now resulted in such a public outcry that
on June 18, 1916 President Woodrow Wilson ordered the entire National Guard of the United States to mobilize on the Mexican Border. This event
led to the creation of twelve cavalry camps from El Paso to the Big Bend area of Texas.
George Bertram Regar received orders to rendezvous for participation in this event on June 22, 1916, and was mustered into federal service on July 6, 1916. His
1st Cavalry and other units from the Pennsylvania National Guard (1st Artillery, Co’s A & B of the Signal Corps, Ambulance Co’s 1 & 2, and Field Hospitals 1 & 2) were based at Camp Stewart.
Camp Stewart stretched for two miles along the Southern Pacific Railroad between Dyer Street and Hondo Pass Road. The camp was
named for long-time Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, Thomas J. Stewart (see his name in Colt factory letter).
John P. Wood (see also
his name in Colt letter)
commanded Sgt. Major G. B. Regar and the 1st Cavalry. The October 1916 National Guard Roster records the “Field And Staff” at El Paso under Col. John P. Wood and the “Headquarters Troop” that included Reg’t Sergt. Major G. Bertram Regar.
Their objective was to protect and defend the towns and isolated ranches in west Texas. The presence of these military units proved to be very effective as the prior border invasions from Mexico were silenced. This U. S. military buildup on the Mexican border would eventually be phased out when Congress declared war on Germany in 1917. After 18 years of service G. B. Regar was discharged on June 25, 1917.
George Bertram Regar was elected Burgess of Millbourne, Delaware County, Pennsylvania at least twice, and was a popular figure in that area. He worked for the Philadelphia Electric Company as a Lighting Specialist until retiring in 1942. He died in 1946.
Dual-Inscribed Colts from the factory in Hartford are very rare and usually represent a significant piece of history, and this early Colt DA is no exception.
Additional pictures of revolver, holster, documents, etc. available on request.
COMES WITH:
- ORIGINAL ISSUE HOLSTER.
- LEATHER BELT WITH “NGP” RECTANGULAR BUCKLE.
- COLT FACTORY LETTER CONFIRMING ALL FEATURES.
- COPY OF 1999 ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN A COLLECTOR MAGAZINE.
- A RING BINDER FULL OF DOCUMENTS CONCERNING THE CAVALRYMAN, NGP RECORDS, & HIS BORDER SERVICE AT CAMP STEWART, TEXAS (NEAR EL PASO).
- SIXTEEN PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN AT CAMP STEWART IN 1916, WITH MANY BEING PREVIOUSLY UNPUBLISHED (SIX - 8”x10” & NINE - 3.5”x5.5”).
- PERSONAL EFFECTS INCLUDING MEDALS & OTHER BORDER SERVICE MEMORABILIA.
Can be shipped directly to a C&R licensed individual or your local FFL dealer.
Terms:
No International sales. Not being sold as a shooter, but as a collector’s historic Colt M1896 DA. If you want to shoot any older gun, first take it to a competent gunsmith and have it checked out.
Three day inspection period, but please ask questions prior to buying (see additional notes on returns at bottom).
Additional pictures sent on request.
Contact me by email with request for pictures, or with questions. We can then also set up a phone call to discuss all details of this antique gun.
See my 21 years of feedback ratings on eBay (user name:
victorio1sw).
Member NRA, TGCA, CCA, RSA, and S&WCA.
I accept Bank Cashier’s Checks and Postal Money Orders. No personal checks or Western Union MO’s. Payment must be received with copy of FFL within seven days after sale date, and sent by Priority Mail with Tracking Number provided by buyer. Shipping by FedEx Ground (16” x 10” x 10” box) with insurance
$80.00 (and tracking number provided to buyer). Usually shipping occurs within 3 days after payment received.
Three (3) day Inspection and Return Policy: Only if returned Exactly as Received - Not Disassembled for Inspection, Not Tampered, Not Broken/Chipped/Scratched/Dented/Scuffed, or any Parts Switched. Any Original Documentation sent Must Be Returned with item.
SOLD
Curio/Relic: Yes