GUN FALL 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2017
UNIQUE SILVER INLAID CIVIL WAR COLT 1860 ARMY REVOLVER OF LEVI BLASDELL, 50TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS.COLT1860 ARMY2362044Cal. 44. Levi S. Blasdell (1833-1910) enlisted 9-6-1861 at Montrose, PA as a Private in Company D, 50th PA Infantry. He was captured at Spotsylvania Courthouse May 12, 1864 and was promoted to Corporal after his release. The two marvelous silver insets, one with Blasdell's name and unit with a well chased American eagle and the other, of a color bearer holding American flag, certainly appear to be wartime, but why would an enlisted man in the infantry have a government purchased Colt in his possession as infantrymen were not issued revolvers? Even more interesting, is the fact that this gun was purchased in the small town of Americana in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil and that Americana was a city founded by descendants of Confederate soldiers who did not want to return to the United States. A most likely scenario is that this gun was taken from Blasdell when he was captured and kept as a trophy by a Confederate who was among the founders of the Brazil Confederate colony at Americana. Regardless, this is a very fine early 4-screw Colt Army with the finest silver inlays. Accompanying lot are series of letters detailing history and genealogy which should be read. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Gun is sharp, though cleaned with no orig finish. Markings are crisp including 1-line New York bbl address, SNs and patent markings. The Ormsby rolled naval battle scene on cylinder is only partially discernible, otherwise crisp action with bright well defined bore. Silver insets are of the highest quality, mounted flush with chased pins matching engraved backgrounds. 52489-1 JS (4,000-6,000)