April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/25/2019
This revolver was manufactured in 1861, the first year of the Civil War, for Brigadier General Arthur Charles Ducat Senior of the United States Army. Arthur hailed from Ireland and was appointed Second Lieutenant in the Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, May 2nd, 1861 and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and Adjutant on May 11th, Captain on August 1st, and Major on September 24th, totaling three promotions in less than six months. The following year on November 14th, 1862 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and on March 13th, 1864, for faithful and meritorious services, was promoted to Brevetted Colonel and Brigadier General of the Volunteers. He was honorably discharged February 19th 1864, prior to the end of hostilities. At the onset of the hostilities between the North and the South, he was one of the first to offer substantial aid. One of his hobbies was the studies of military history and science, and was renowned for his knowledge for the art of war, which was the equivalent to any Lieutenant fresh from West Point. He formed a core of 300 engineers, sappers, and miners, along with professionals, and offered them up to the government but was rejected. He then enlisted as a private and became a member of the 12th Illinois Infantry in April of 1861. He was without influence and depended upon his merits for promotion. His regiment seized the strategic point of Cairo, Illinois, and took possession of the Arsenal at St. Louis. Within one month he was commissioned. His troops were the first to occupy Paducah, Kentucky, at Rosecrans' Great Battle of Corinth, where he served as acting chief of staff and was noted for his bravery. Ducat accompanied Rosecrans and his Army of the Ohio at the Siege of Nashville, and the opening of the railway from Nashville to Louisville. General Rosecrans regarded him as an extraordinary man, an excellent tactician, and a soldier by nature. He was even lauded in writing from General Grant. The revolver itself is a beauty to behold. The beautiful scroll engraving appears to be the work of L.D. Nimschke or his shop with the telltale circles around the screws and floral patterns. Five shot cylinder. The frame, hammer, trigger guard, and backstrap exhibit completely engraved surface, as well as the forcing cone. Barrel is 2/3rds engraved. On the backstrap is engraved "General Chas A. Ducat." It is interesting to note that this gun was engraved for his appointment to the rank of general, which did not take place until 1864 which gives pause as to whether this revolver was built and shipped in 1861 or simply serial numbered. The gun is completely silver plated. All full or partial matching numbers on frame, barrel, trigger guard, backstrap, cylinder, wedge, lever, and center pin. CONDITION: Cylinder exhibits nearly entire defined stagecoach scene. All original nipples with remnants of safety pins. Some of the silver is starting to darken. Cylinder face shows virtually no signs have having ever been fired. Revolver displays nearly all of its silver plating. Barrel address is razor sharp, as are edges. Sports a lovely pair of aged one piece ivory grips. Bore is near mint with strong rifling. Has a fine action that locks up tight. Housing in an original period walnut box with purple lining, partitioned for accessories. Accompanied by near mint powder flask, Eley Brothers London cap tin, a blued Colt stamped double cavity bullet mold, and some period lead projectiles. A fantastic, special order, engraved, presentation, Civil War period Colt Model 1849 revolver.
Accessories
Case, accessories
Caliber/Bore
.31 Percussion