July 24-25, 2015 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/24/2015
This revolver was manufactured in 1861 and there are no Colt factory records on this early serial number. It is a rare Colt Model 1860 Army revolver, six shot, .44 caliber percussion with the scarce patented long flute cylinder. Other features include an 8" barrel, varnished walnut one piece grips, single action, shoulder stock cut. It is not martially marked. It is unknown whether this revolver left the factory with the nickel plated finish or whether this work was performed by a dealer such as Hartley & Graham or another large retailer of the period. It is readily evident that the nickel finish is of the original period and quality as all factory stamps are strong and void of nickel within the stampings. Revolver has all matching numbers including wedge. Action is perfect. Lock up is tight. Bore is strong with some light abrasion. The gun retains approximately 95% of this original nickel finish with some light freckling and high edge wear only. All the nipples are intact and the original walnut grips display only minor high edge finish wear with some minor bruises. As if the condition of this revolver, along with the scarcity of the long flute model, was not enough to spark an interest amongst Colt collectors, the history of this revolver definitely sets this example at a high water mark. This revolver was the personal side arm of General George H. Gordon of the 2nd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Union Army. The gun comes with lineage of the transfer of ownership that begins with a letter from Mrs. Henry Scott whose husband was a nephew of General Gordon. At the time of purchase, two of the chambers were loaded with powder and ball. This revolver was featured in an article in the Gun Report dated March of 1985 by Dr. Joseph F. Ciano detailing not only this revolver by serial number, but also the exploits of General Gordon. Gordon was a graduate of West Point in the class of 1846. Fellow graduates of that year include: General Reno, General George McClellan, General Stonewall Jackson, General George Picket, and General A.P. Hill. Gordon’s first battle experience came during the Mexican War under the tutelage of General Winfield Scott. After the Mexican War, he went back to his hometown near Boston to practice law. At the outbreak of hostilities between the North and the South in 1861, he raised the 2nd Massachusetts Regiment of Volunteers. One of his officers was Robert Gould Shaw, whose statue resides at the Boston Commons. He was the famous leader of black troops who lost his life at Fort Wagner. This incident is best remembered today for the movie entitled "Glory" with Matthew Broderick. Gordon repelled his famous Confederate classmate Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley Campaign in 1861. This occurred early in the war and he was promoted to Brigadier general as a result. Other notable battles that Gordon participated include: The First Battle of Winchester, the Second Battle of Bull Run and one of the bloodiest events of the Civil War, the Battle of Antietam. Original books written by General Gordon include: The Second Massachusetts & Stonewall Jackson, War Diary of Events in the War of the Great Rebellion 1863-1865, The Army of Virginia 1862 (published 1880) and Brook Farm to Cedar Mountain in the War of the Rebellion 1861-1862. Also included are books entitled "The Second Massachusetts Infantry" by James Walker 1867, "Potomac & the Rapidan" by A.H. Quint, (chaplain 2nd Massachusetts) 1864 and a "Record of the 2nd Massachusetts" by A.H. Quint (fly page has picture of Brevette Major General George H. Gordon). There is a hard cover book entitled "Class of 1846 West Point to Appomattox" by John Waugh, author signed. A book entitled "Civil War Hero: The Life of General George H. Gordon" is also included. There are also four vintage paperbacks. This revolver is accompanied by all of the above listed original books as well as CDV’s and a binder of pertinent paperwork. Rarely does such a fine and rare firearm with a storied history become available. A monumental weapon with Civil War history.