GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
IMPORTANT PAIR OF PRESENTATION ENGRAVED GOLD AND SILVER COLT MODEL 1861 NAVYS PRESENTED TO "GEO. A. WILLIAMS CAPTAIN U.S. INFANTRY....1864".COLT1861 NAVY16678/1668436IVORY16678/16684. Cal. 36. Revolvers are virtually identical with silver & gold finish, 7-1/2" rnd bbl, orig front sight and 1-line New-York U.S. America address. Frames are marked "COLTS PATENT" and they''re both mounted with 1-pc ivory grip with extraordinary, raised carved American eagle & shield on left side. All of the SNs on bottom of the revolvers are accompanied by a small "E". Revolvers are nearly identically engraved in Gustave Young-style with about full coverage foliate arabesque patterns on the frames with some of the scrolls terminating in flower blossoms. Engraving extends over the bbl lugs and terminates forward of the address on toe. Backstraps and trigger guard are similarly engraved. Cylinders are gold-washed, unfluted with Ormsby Naval battle scene roll marking. All safety pins are intact. Accompanied by an original rosewood casing that has a brass plaque in the lid that is engraved "Presented to / Geo. A. Williams '' Captain 1st U.S. Infantry / as a token of respect from / B. W. Warner / Memphis, Tenn. May. 1864". Case has reinforced corners with a mortised brass lock that has rnd escutcheon. Interior is 2-tone burgundy & green velvet lined, French fitted in the bottom for the revolvers, a blued steel 2-cavity "COLT''S PATENT" Cal. 31 bullet & ball mold with sprue cutter, a silver-plated, double-sided eagle & stars, trophy of flags & arms angle spout flask, an L-shaped nipple wrench and a very early lacquered tin of caps with "W. & C. Eley" tan label. Interior of case also has 3 covered compartments with ivory pulls. Case is configured in the French style, which is quite rare on Colt revolvers. This cased set was part of the renown Frederick E. Hines Estate Collection (1868-1920) Dorchester, Mass. Mr. Hines'' great collection of cased guns were sold in two auctions by Walpole Galleries in New York on May 9, 1924 (this was session II). They are lot 109 and were on of the few lots illustrated in the catalog (see pg 24). George Augustus Williams was a lifetime American officer. He graduated from West Point July 1, 1852. He was soon sent to Texas 2nd Lt. He stayed at various Texas posts, La Pena, Rodeo, Ft. Lancaster, Ft. Duncan, Ft. McIntosh, Ft. Clark, Camp Cooper, and finally to Fort Cobb in Indian Territory 1859-1860. He then moved back to teach at west point September 4, 1860 but has short tenure as Civil War began and he was promoted to Captain in the 1st US Infantry. He was in charge of Heavy Artillery in early operations near Sedalia, Missouri (November 61-Febraury 62) and was involved in the capture of Island #10 and capture of New Madrid, Missouri, March & April of 1862. Later actions at the siege and battle of Corinth, Miss. earned him Brevet Major''s commission for gallant & meritorious service. Again during the Vicksburg campaign, he was in charge of Heavy Artillery and "Williams Battery" of Henry Parrotts was named for him and opposed famous Confederate fortification "Battery Robinette". Williams was disabled in March 1863 and was made Provost Marshall of Memphis, where he was to receive this spectacular pair of Colts. The presentation "B. W. Warner" is listed on Capt. Williams "Semi-Monthly Report of Citizen Prisoners Within the District of Memphis". No charge is listed for his incarceration - but others include: Rebel Spy, Shooting at Soldier, Concealing Escaped Prisoner, Aiding in Prisoner Escape, Guerrilla, Bribery, Disloyal Language, etc...Were these pistols a "bribe" that got Warner in Prison? Or did they get him out? PROVENANCE: These are illustrated in the book "Colt Firearms from 1836" by J.E. Serven. Also in Serven''s other book, "Percussion Colt Pistols". Also mentioned in John Hamilton''s monograph "History and Heroes". Frederick E. Hines; McMurdo Silver; F. Theodore Dexter; Leonard A. Busby; William M. Lock (See pg 148 of Locke Book); Paul Tudor Jones II Collection. CONDITION: Revolvers are of a virtually identical condition with both retaining virtually all of a fine silver & gold finish which has turned dark. Cylinders show dark gold wash with number "16684" showing about 95% naval battle scene roll marking and number "16678" about 65-70% roll marking. "Certifiable antique elephant ivory" grips each have a crack on the right side with an age line in number "16684". Neither grip shows wear to the eagle carving and both retain a fine, mellow ivory patina. Mechanics are fine, brilliant shiny bores. Retaining blue in most cyl chambers. Case is sound with crackled finish and light nicks & scratches. Interior is lightly faded with light soiling ans staining. Flask retains its superb orig silver finish which over the years has tarnished on the display side, the underside, protected by the case, is beautiful and bright. 49941-7 JS (50,000-100,000)