GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
HISTORIC MARTIAL COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY REVOLVER WITH INSCRIBED GRIPS.COLT18607031744Cal. 44. Blue and color case hardened with 8" bbl. The brass trigger guard & iron backstrap contain a 1-pc walnut grip and has small martial inspector marks on cyl, backstrap and trigger guard. Frame is 3-screw style with flathead hammer screw cut for stock. Right side of grip is carved "Bill Milligan / 1859". Left side is carved "CV KY". SNs match on bbl, frame, trigger guard, cyl and backstrap. William Milligan enlisted in the 2nd Kentucky Union Cavalry, Company "B" 14th Corps McCook's 2nd division Army of the Cumberland in August of 1861. He was promoted to Sgt. on March 1st 1863 and was mustered out of service on September 26th, 1864 at the expiration of his term of service. The 2nd Kentucky saw service in Georgia, breaking up the railroad lines. After the war, a William Milligan is noted as having enlisted in Company H 7th Cavalry at Philadelphia on August 17, 1866. In July 1867, he deserted, was apprehended and confined at Ft. Sedgewick, Colorado Territory on July 17 and spent the next several months in the guardhouse and was returned to duty in March 1868. Apparently Milligan stayed with the 7th Cavalry and was killed in action at the Battle of the Washita on November 27, 1868. Milligan is listed by name in Custer's after action report of the battle as having been killed in the battle and when his body was recovered, he had been scalped was severely mutilated and with a shot in the head. Also accompanying is a Colt Factory letter which identifies this revolver in Cal. 44 with bbl length and the type of stocks not listed, finish blue/brass and shipped to Major J. D. Callender at the St. Louis Arsenal, St. Louis, MO on Oct 24, 1862 in a shipment of 1,000 guns. PROVENANCE: Accompanied by a Colt Historian letter signed by M.S. Huber, confirming shipment to the United States Government St. Louis Arsenal on Oct 24th , 1862, in a shipment of 1000 revolvers. Also included are Military records and muster rolls for Sgt. Milligan. CONDITION: Good. Bbl shows a plum/brown patina overall with muzzle wear and numerous dents and scratches. Bbl address is legible. Bore is dark with visible rifling. SN is battered. Cyl shows a plum/brown patina with numerous scratches and dents, cyl scene is not visible, Colt's patent and SN is legible. Frame retains an even plum/brown patina overall with some minor dents. Trigger guard has been cleaned and shows a sharp "H" inspector mark behind the trigger guard. Backstrap is plum/brown patina with a clear "K" inspector mark behind hammer. Grips are good with minor losses at the toe, considerable high point wear and battering on the butt end. Inscriptions on both grips are legible in good light. An opportunity to purchase a historic piece of American Civil War history. 49497-2 TEP (3,500-5,500)