This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/8/2024
Gifts given to royal personages are not uncommon, as they were used to curry favor by means of lavish gifts; neither are guns owned by royalty, who had the means to purchase ornate weaponry. What is rarer is gifts given by royalty to specific members of their retinue. This pair of pistols is one of the latter, inscribed on the lid escutcheon with the crown of Savoy used by Victor Emmanuel II, with the hinge engraved "Dono di S.M. il Re V.E. Al Generale Di Sanfront", which translates to "Given by His Majesty the King Victor Emmanuel to General Di Sanfront". Victor Emmanuel II was a massively important figure for Italy, as the first king of unified Italy, while Alessandro Negri di Sanfront was an important general during the Unification of Italy. The oldest son of Charles Albert and Maria Theresa, Victor had an early predilection for politics and the military, and fought in the First Italian War of Independence with his father; importantly, he fought at Pastrengo, where Alessandro Negri de Sanfront led his legendary charge of the Royal Carabinieri, a regiment designed to safeguard the king on the battlefield, and a position he was hand selected for. During Pastrengo, King Charles Albert came under rifle fire, which scattered his horses and left the king exposed and vulnerable. Sanfront immediately led a charge of the Carabinieri against the Austrians to cover the king and was quickly followed by the full three squadrons of the Carabinieri, securing the exposed king. This event is still remembered today and referred to as “The Charge of the Carabinieri”. Sebastiano De Albertis painted the legendary scene, the 4th Carabinieri have a horse carousel that reenacts the charge, and there is even a barracks named after di Sanfront.
After his legendary exploit, di Sanfront continued to fight in the Italian Wars of Independence, serving as an aide-de-camp to King Albert in 1853, major general in 1859, and lieutenant general in 1862, a position he held until he retired in 1865. He was decorated as a Knight Grand Officer of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus "for the commendable service provided as commander of the three Carabinieri squadrons" (no doubt influenced by his rescue of the king), amongst a myriad of other awards. While di Sanfront was campaigning, Victor Emmanuel was engaged in the politics of reuniting Italy and further campaigning. When Charles Albert abdicated in 1849, Victor Emmanuel became king and signed an armistice with the Austrian commander, Radetzky. He quickly became the symbol of Risorgimento (lit. Resurgence), the Italian unification movement. After the fallout from the end of the Crimean War and the events associated with Giuseppe Garibaldi, Victor Emmanuel met with Garibaldi at Teano and gained control of south Italy. On March 17th, 1861, the Parliament of Unified Italy proclaimed Victor Emmanuel king, and in 1870, he captured Rome, and set up Italy’s capital in the city in 1871. The balance of his reign was much calmer, and he died in 1878 after a brief illness. In his post-war life, di Sanfront continued to serve in a political capacity with multiple mayorships, councillorships, and, on November 16th, 1876, was appointed a Senator of the Kingdom of Italy in the 13th legislature, before passing February 25th, 1884.
These guns, recently rediscovered, highlight the respect the King of Italy had for one of his foremost military and political cohorts. Beyond their inscription, the pistols are in absolutely outstanding condition. They are both London Colts with the London address, and are covered with fine deluxe scrollwork that compares very favorably to the pair of Navies believed presented to Napoleon III of France, 21900 and 21904; see Colt Engraving by Wilson, pg. 131, except that di Sanfront’s casing is somewhat nicer and contains more accessories, including some with unusual features. Per the serial numbers of the revolvers, they are made circa 1853, at the beginning of the Colt London era, and represent the most cutting edge for di Sanfront; while no presentation is inscribed, the most likely reason is his promotion to Lieutenant General, given the notation of Victor Emmanuel as King and di Sanfront as General. Classic configuration of Third Model navies with pin front sights and V notch rear sights on hammer. Deluxe, approximately 75% coverage, of finely cut English acanthus scroll on a finely shaded background, with “Colt’s Patent” hand engraved in an open ribbon in gothic font. Fine English blued barrel assemblies and cylinders, with case colored rammer assemblies, frames, hammers, and with gilded backstraps and silvered trigger guards. Deluxe piano finished walnut grips. Matching full or partial serial numbers observed throughout, including barrel assemblies, frame, trigger guard, butt, and cylinders; due to the condition, we have elected not to disassemble these revolvers. Housed in a deluxe London case with lid engraved as aforementioned, lined in midnight blue, and compartmentalized for accessories comprising pair of lacquered Eley cap tins, cleaning rod with removable head to expose jag, pair silvered bullet molds with sprue cutters, pair fire blued Colt L tools, a G & J.W. Hawksley flask with silvered head spout and fire blued spring, and a trio of Colt replacement nipples in one compartment labeled “COLT’S”. Accompanied by a postcard depicting di Sanfront in military garb, in front of a bust of Becarria, with indistinct writing on front and “Generale Alessandro Negri di Sanfront” on rear, and one of Sanfront’s calling cards, “Generale Conte di Sanfront / Senatore”.
CONDITION: Outstanding, and possibly unfired by the state of the nipples. (A) With virtually all of the English high polish blue remaining on barrel assembly, with some minor scattered handling marks and superficial scratches. Case colors similarly outstanding with virtually all remaining, losses largely confined to the actual rammer portion of rammer assembly, where it pushes through the barrel lug, and sharp parts of frame. Plating excellent with some minor marks and pinprick losses scattered, heavier around trigger blades. (B) With approximately half of the English high polish bluing on barrel assembly, and the vast majority on the cylinder, with one area of oxidation, largest approximately .5” x .75” and a few other smaller areas on same side. Retains virtually all of the case colors with silvering to high edges and sharp edges of frame. Plating excellent, with pinprick losses throughout, but fewer heavy areas. Engraving is crisp across both pistols. Case very good, slightly warped, with crisp engraving and handling marks throughout; one crack noted on right side of the bottom of case, unseen unless case is lifted. Lining is very good with rubs to wood from age, mostly where sharp edges of guns and accessories contact. Accessories very good with handling marks and markers of age throughout, such as flaking of silver on bullet molds and verdigris on powder flask body. Case shows evidence of minor conservation. This is an absolutely outstanding pair of guns and represent a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire a pair of Colts with history to an important general and the first King of Italy.
Barrel Length
(BOTH) 7 - 1/2"
Caliber/Bore
(BOTH) .36 Rifled
Paperwork
Postcard, calling card
Serial Number
(A) 21909 (B) 21901