April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/25/2019
This most important and beautiful historical Colt 1851 Navy was “Presented to Lieutenant.Commander Leroy Fitch / A token of / Friendship and Esteem / from / A. Mast. Frederick Read / A. A. Surgn Geo. W. Shields / May 6, 1865”. Subject revolver is silver plated with gilt cylinder, rammer, trigger and hammer. Profusely and beautifully engraved in the Nimschke style. Backstrap engraved “Leroy Fitch”. “P” for plated on backstrap, trigger guard and frame. Magnificent carved ivory grips with high raised relief American eagle in flight above a ship and sea serpent. Most unusual and attractive motif. Leroy Fitch (1834-1875) graduated from the Naval Academy in 1856 and served until his death. There are over 1,000 pages in the official records with his name or report. He is best known as Commander of the “Brown Water Navy” where his gunboats would support land forces with naval artillery fire. During the Battle of Nashville in December 1864, Fitch battled Confederate Cavalry under Nathan Bedford Forrest at Kelly’s Point at what is now called the Battle of West Nashville. This was possibly the only time in General Forrest’s career that he was surprised and out-maneuvered in a military operation. Fitch was Commander in Charge of the riverboat fleet from his flagship USS Moose, along with USS Carondelet, USS Neosho, USS Fairplay, USS Silverlake, USS Reindeer, USS Brilliant and USS Springfield. This little known hero’s career is summarized in the recent 2013 432 page text by Myron Smith Leroy Fitch: "The Civil War Career of Union Gunboat Commander." Though Fitch died quite young, his naval career is intriguing. A US destroyer, the USS Fitch, was named in his honor and launched June 14th, 1941. CONDITION: Commander Fitch’s 1851 Navy retains nearly all of its restored silver plating on barrel, frame, trigger guard and backstrap. Retains most restored gold gilt on cylinder, rammer, trigger and hammer. Bore is excellent. Screws retain much restored blue finish. Gilding on trigger is period. Case is in excellent condition with beautiful Civil War era engraving with presentation to Commander. Fitch on escutcheon. Casing retains very rare American Flask and Cap Co. slant charger Navy flask with almost all original silver. Silver plated Colt’s patent mold, nipple wrench and package of Colt cartridges for Colt’s Navy pistol. Lining has faded but is mostly intact with some missing where front side rubbed against partition. All together a striking and most historical ensemble presented to a Naval Commander with significant Civil War service.
Accessories
Case and photo
Caliber/Bore
.36 Percussion
Paperwork
History, Documentation & Plaque