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LOT 3375
Colonel Daniel Huston’s Historic Presentation Inscribed Colt Model 1860 Army Richards
Conversion Revolver - Serial no. 2722, 44 Colt CF cal., 8 inch round bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. Though
approximate 9,000 Richards conversion revolvers were manufactured by Colt in the 1870s based on designs by Charles B. Richards,
presentation inscribed examples are very rare and presentations to noteworthy officers in the U.S. Army fewer still. This example has
matching serial numbers visible on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, and cylinder; “1347” on the recoil shield and standard markings. The back strap is inscribed “Daniel Huston U.S.A. from His Fellow Officers” in script for Colonel Daniel Huston Jr. (1824-1884) of the U.S. Army and was likely carried by him as his service sidearm before being issued a Colt Single Action Army. Huston was born in New Jersey but made his name in the American Midwest and West after graduating from West Point in the class of 1848. He was assigned to the 8th U.S. Infantry as a brevet second lieutenant and then soon promoted to second lieutenant in the 8th U.S. Infantry. In 1856, he was promoted to captain. During the Civil War, he initially served in Missouri and was the colonel of the 7th Missouri Cavalry and was the commanding officer of the 2nd Division of the Army of the Frontier at the Battle of Prairie Grove and soon after returned to the 1st U.S. Infantry and participated in the famous Vicksburg Campaign. He was promoted to major in the 11th U.S. Infantry in 1863. After the Civil War, he was the commanding officer of Fort Gibson in the Indian Territory and then the commander of two companies from the 6th U.S. Infantry as they built Fort McKean in the Dakota Territory in 1872 on the Missouri River across from present day Bismark. The fort soon renamed Fort Abraham Lincoln later that same year. In 1873 it was expanded by Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer and served as his home base during the Indian Wars until his death at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Huston died in 1884
less than two years after being placed on the retired list and a long illness. His obituaries noted that he had been stationed for many years in the Dakota Territory, including at Lincoln, Buford, and Stevenson as lieutenant colonel of the 6th U.S. Infantry.
CONDITION: Very fine with 75% plus of the original nickel plating remaining, mild pitting on the front half of the barrel and holster wear, and general minor overall wear. The grip is fine and has moderate age stress cracks, attractive natural color and grain, a chip at the toe on the right, and mild handling wear. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000
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