November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
1861 vintage Colt Model 1860 Army single action percussion revolver, serial number 7651. 8" round barrel in .44 caliber with German silver blade front sight and hammer notch rear. 1 piece plain walnut grips with 4 kill notches on left grip panel. Brass trigger guard with iron backstrap. 4 screw frame. Matching serial numbers include barrel, wedge, cylinder arbor, cylinder, frame, trigger guard, and butt. Marked on bottom of trigger guard in large font "C.S.A." with identical marking on right side of frame. Right side of barrel is marked "E V WHTIE VA BATTALION" in single-line single-stamped block font letters. A native of Poolesville, Maryland, Elijah White was born in 1832 and got his first taste of fighting by joining a Missouri company in the Kansas troubles of 1855. In 1861 he was living in Loudon County, Virginia, and joined Shreve’s Company of Cavalry as a corporal when the war started, then moving into Mason’s Company, which became Company C of Turner Ashby’s 7th Virginia Cavalry. While on leave he acted as a scout and courier during the Battle of Balls Bluff in October 1861. He applied for a captain’s commission in the CS regular army but was commissioned in the provisional army (i.e. the volunteer service for the war) to raise his own company in early 1862, formally organized in March, but busy causing trouble for Union forces since January. By April they were acting a scouts, couriers, and provost guards for Ewell and Jackson in the Valley and by October 1862 had reached battalion strength and were designated the 35th Battalion Virginia Cavalry, and taking the nickname “Comanches”, initially 5 companies and later 6. Although intended for partisan service, the unit also took part in larger actions, fighting at Brandy Station, and moving north with Lee in the Gettysburg Campaign, taking part in the large battles of the 1864 Virginia Campaign as well as Early’s move against Washington and into the Shenandoah. The battalion ended the war serving with the Laurel Brigade, of which White was placed in command in the days just before Appomattox. Hartzler notes that he was wounded 3 times during the war. He returned to Loudon County after the war, farming, serving a term as Sheriff, serving as a bank president, and also operating a ferry. Death claimed White in 1907, however his exploits are not forgotten, as there are a number of published histories of this very active Confederate cavalry unit and its commander, copies of which are included with revolver. Also accompanying this lot is extensive paperwork including a reproduction photo of White, nicely presented in a period style case, an NRA Ten Best Weapons Award dated 1976, research regarding White's service history, notes on configuration, several letters of provenance tracing ownership of this revolver back to 1939, copies of White's service records including muster rolls, a copy of "History of the Battle of Ball's Bluff" written by Colonel E. V. White, and a copy of "A True Confederate Soldier - Col. Elijah Viers White" by George West Dahl. CONDITION: Very good, with iron assemblies turned a speckled gray patina with light freckling throughout. Left side of barrel has a small split from a bulge. Brass trigger guard has turned a mellow patina. Grips are very good and fit well, with chip missing at toe. Action needs attention as cylinder does not advance when hammer is pulled rearward. Bore is dark with visible rifling.
Paperwork
Folder with Provenance, Information, Photo