GUN FALL 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2017
RARE INSCRIBED COLT NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER WITH IVORY GRIPS. COLT NAVY 145650 36 ESA Cal. 36. Captain Alexander P. Slatery was in the 3rd U.S. East Tennessee Cavalry has an interesting war record, being captured and imprisoned by Gen. Nathan Bedford Forest after the Battle of Sulpher Creek Trestle, Alabama, September 25, 1864. Slatery was orig commissioned Captain in mid-1863, about the time this gun was manufactured. Gun appears orig from time of use, though bbl has separate SN from remainder of gun. Bbl is numbered "144208" and frame, trigger guard, cylinder, arbor, backstrap and grips are numbered "145650" with "IP" below SNs, possibly denoting ivory and presentation. Mr. Donaldson does not note where he obtained the gun other than correspondence showing he had it in 1969 and that a great-granddaughter of Slatery contacted him attempting to buy it in 1972 (letter accompanies along with file of records on Slatery). PROVENANCE: Capt. Alexander P. Slatery, 1863; Slatery family descendants; The Confederate and Civil War estate collection of Fred Donaldson, 1969; Martha Slatery Erickson (interesting 1972 letter trying to purchase gun back into family). CONDITION: Good to very good. Metal is brown/plum overall with nicks, dings, scratches and scattered pitting. Gun appears orig as used, though no SN found on loading arm and loading arm screw appears replaced. The orig factory ivory grips have beautiful mellow patina clearly showing structure of the elephant ivory. Mechanically functional with discernible rifling in pitted bore. 52438-23 JS (5,000-7,000)