April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/25/2019
The gold knob on this cane is inscribed "Colonel from the Colts 1905". It is 14 karat gold and is hallmarked and serial numbered 1191. The staff has a black enamel finish with a metal tip and is in near mint condition. The fact that it was presented simply to "Colonel", the two most famous men in 1905 that were referred to as "Colonel" by just about everyone, with affection, were Colonel Cody and Colonel Teddy Roosevelt who had resigned as Secretary of the Navy to become Colonel to lead the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War, after which he was referred to as "Colonel" by all of his close friends. The second area of note is the date of 1905 which was the year Teddy Roosevelt was inaugurated for his first full term as an elected president. The fact that is was affectionately inscribed from "the Colts" indicating the family, rather than the company, and his long association with the Colt family and Colt firearms leads us to at least consider the possibility that this cane was given personally by the Colt family to newly elected president Teddy Roosevelt. That said, we have no definitive proof that this is the case and is only a summation that is backed with solid logic within this time frame. It is still a fine, 14 karat gold presentation cane from the Colt's family. Comes in what appears to be its original canvas cover. A fine and rare example of Colt memorabilia.