September 10-12, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/10/2024
According to the factory letter, serial number 22503 was part of a 1000 gun shipment to the War Department and shipped to Captain Crispin at #55 White Street in NYC on March 1, 1862. During the Civil War Colonel Crispin served for some time on the staff of Major-General George B. McClellan, and was also in charge of the New York Ordnance. He was promoted to captain of ordnance, 3 August 1861, and in that grade served through the civil war. We must assume that number 22502 was part of that 1000 gun shipment. As head of ordnance, he had access to any guns he wanted. Both are early four screw models, cut for stock with brass trigger guards, iron strap, one piece walnut grips, fluted cylinder with roll engraved Naval battle scene. Both have the one line barrel legend with COLT'S PATENT on left side of frame. Number 22502 has all matching numbers including the wedge. The left grip panel has a visible but legible cartouche. You will find the martial inspector marks as follows; C-on left barrel, L-on right barrel, B-L on cylinder, T-top back strap. CONDITION: No original finish, now a smooth brown patina. All legends are sound. The Naval scene is partially visible. Safety pins are flat. Brass has turned almost black. Grips show some dings but are a nice fit with minor front toe chip on both sides. Action indexes correctly with strong half cock. Very nice homogenous gun. Gun number 22503 has all matching numbers to include the post. This gun has .44 CAL on left side rear trigger guard. The only inspector stamps are the letter "O near serial number on barrel, frame and trigger guard. No visible cartouche on left grip. It is in nearly identical condition with strong legends but the spring is missing from wedge and the Naval scene is barely visible. The grips have less empty space at toes. It too has a fine action with strong half cock. Bores on both guns are strong but have residue. The bottom of the canteen stock has both numbers in the same font. All the hardware is brass. There is an iron saddle ring at base. The vise is iron. The canteen stock is walnut with iron cap and small chain. The top of the stock has a crack running the length as well as one on the base. The brass butt plate also has the same two number stamps and similar fonts. There is a visible cartouche on left side but not legible. Aside from crack, the stock has very few impressions. The brass has turned as dark as that found on revolvers. The two cavity .44 bullet mold is stamped Colt's Patent. An original brass powder flask with staff of arms is stamped COLT'S PATENT. The period wood display case is lined in faded and stained blue felt and comes with a 6 round envelop of 44-100 cartridges and a vintage Eley Bros Colt's Pistol cap partially full tin. We must assume that these guns came together in the same shipment but only one was designated to Crispin. Did he acquire the other and then cased them? The guns themselves have quite a few differences based on who inspected and stamped them. Comes with factory letter on gun number 22503 only.
Item Dimensions: 22 x 13 x 5"
Accessories
Case, Stock, Accessories
Paperwork
(B) Factory Letter
Serial Number
(A) 22502 (B) 22503