April 9th & 10th Premier Firearms Sale (MFIRE)
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/9/2016
8” barrel in .44 percussion. Factory letter states that this Martially marked Colt Model 1860 Army was shipped to the United States War Department, Major. R.H.K. Whitley, New York Arsenal, Governor’s Island, New York September 20, 1862. This revolver comes with a considerable amount of paperwork attributing this revolver to Major Samuel M. Logan. This revolver was originally obtained by Paul A. Rossi, former director of the Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mr. Rossi obtained this revolver in 1949 in Denver, Colorado from Mrs. Freeman, niece to Major Samuel M. Logan. Mrs. Freeman stated that Mr. Logan carried this revolver throughout his service years and for years after, wrapped in one of his shirts in a chest drawer. Paul Rossi is well-regarded and author of several books. He was also an artist and a guest on many TV programs, he is listed on the National Register of Prominent Americans and on the Marquis Who’s Who Men of Achievement. His artwork has been exhibited at the Smithsonian. He has also been a consultant to Time Life books, the Smithsonian, and others, and has worked in oil and bronze. As to Major Logan, He served in the Mexican War, the Civil War, and the Indian Wars at Sand Creek. He was a member of the regiment of 1st Colorado Volunteers during the Civil War and also saw service with the infamous Colonel John M. Chivington at the Battle of Sand Creed during the Indian Wars. This revolver was carried by him during both engagements. The Battle of Sand Creek, or more correctly, the Massacre at Sand Creek, under Colonel Chivington, the 1st Colorado Cavalry is credited with saving New Mexico from going into the Confederacy. Major Logan died in Denver in 1883. The service history and engagements of the 1st Regiment of the Colorado Volunteers, and in particular, the Sand Creek Battle are voluminous. The offered revolver is standard in all respects. Has all matching numbers except wedge not numbered, and the cylinder's number is 27680, 90% cylinder scene, traces of case colors on frame, strong legends. Balance of metal is a soft grey patina. Perfect action. Strong rifled bore with minor black powder abrasion. Excellent grips with visible cartouche on both sides, cut for should stock. Military inspector marks on left side of barrel “M.M.”, back strap has “H”, cylinder “B.S.”. Comes with an original period holster that is extremely aged, leather checked, and with splitting seams. An interesting extra is the 4” piece of wood with an embedded .58 caliber musket ball. This piece of wood has an interesting story. An article on the Colorado Volunteers in the Civil War, 1862, by William Clarke Whitford details that Captain Logan was shot at by a Confederate Texas Captain. The shot missed Captain Logan but lodged in a tree so close to his head his face was hit with splinters. Logan seized a rifle and mortally wounded his assailant on the spot. He then had the piece of wood cut out of the tree and used it afterwards as a paperweight on his desk. The lineage of this artifact is related by Mrs. Freeman. A very interesting, historically significant revolver that has quite a storied history as related to Denver’s involvement in the Civil War and Indian Wars. Lot comes with all accompanying documentation.