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LOT 1216
Civil War Presentation Factory Engraved Colt Model 1849 Pocket Percussion
Revolver Inscribed to S.D. Burchard by the “Master of Vessels” - Serial no. 187184, 31 cal., 6 inch octagon
bbl., silver finish, antique ivory grips. This revolver was manufactured in 1861 and features beautiful factory
entwining scroll engraving with beaded backgrounds and “COLT’S/PATENT” hand
inscribed on the left side of the frame, the factory dash marking above or below the lower serial numbers designating the gun for special finishing, a dovetailed
blade front sight, the one-line New York barrel address, six-shot cylinder, smooth grip, and the inscription “Presented to S.D. Burchard, by the/Master of vessels,
LOT 1218
Documented Civil War Early Production U.S. Contract Colt Model 1860 Army Percussion Revolver with Fluted Cylinder and Factory Letter - Serial no. 5964, 44 cal., 8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. The factory letter lists confirms this revolver was sold to the United States Government and was shipped to Captain R.H.K. Whiteley at the New York Arsenal on Governor’s Island on June 4, 1861, in a shipment of 500 guns of this type. This was the one of the first shipments of Colt Model 1860 Army revolvers and is discussed on page 132 of “The Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver” by Charles Pate where he
As a token
of esteem” cut through
the silver plating on the back strap in the location the factory engravers intentionally left blank for later inscriptions. A master of vessels is a mariner licensed to command merchant vessels of any tonnage. There were two prominent men named Samuel Dickson Burchard from New York in 1861, the elder (1812-1891) a Presbyterian minister in New York City who was a prominent Democrat and his son (1851-1882) and a businessman named Samuel D. Burchard (1836-1901) in Missouri and Wisconsin prior to the Civil War and a Union lieutenant in the Missouri militia who later became a state senator in Wisconsin. Given the revolver’s date of manufacture, the latter S.D. Burchard seems the more likely candidate. He became a captain and assistant quartermaster on January 24, 1865. The consignor suggested the revolver was presented by Ulysses S. Grant, but the inscription implies it was presented by a mariner, perhaps a captain of a merchant vessel Burchard conducted business with as an assistant quartermaster or one that captained a vessel he traveled on. CONDITION: Very good with crisp engraving and inscription, 95% plus of the age darkened original silver plating on the grip straps, traces of silver elsewhere, mostly smooth brown patina on the balance, crisp markings and cylinder scene, and some scrapes and dings at the edges and back of the cylinder. The attractive grip is fine and has mild wear, including a few chips and thin age cracks. The cylinder doesn’t lock up or rotate when the hammer is cocked and spins freely with the hammer cocked. Estimate: 4,500 - 7,500
LOT 1217
Civil War Production Colt Model 1861 Navy Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 5312, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. This Civil War production 1861 Navy revolver was manufactured in 1862 and carries U.S. military sub-inspector marks. “T” inspector on top rear grip straps, “O” on trigger guard, “C” on cylinder and barrel, and “B” also on cylinder. It has a German silver blade front sight, the one-line New York address on top of the barrel, “COLTS/PATENT” on the left of the frame, “36 CAL” on the left of the trigger guard, matching visible serial numbers including faintly visible properly handwritten number in black ink inside the grip mortise, with an unnumbered wedge. CONDITION: Very good plus, exhibiting strong traces of original blue finish and patterns of case colors with mostly smooth gray and brown patina, defined cylinder scene, and attractive bright golden aged patina on the brass. Grip is also very good with scattered surface flaking of the outer varnish coat, light edge wear and handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Phillip Otto Clark Collection. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
notes that the revolvers in this shipment did not receive military inspection marks. On page 277, Pate indicates that the “2nd Model U.S. Military” Model 1860 Army revolvers were in the range up to approximately serial number 25000, and “All but 300 had 8-inch barrels. Approximately 1,274 had fluted cylinders.”The latter are highly sought after by collectors as a rare and early variation. The barrel has a German silver blade front sight, the one-line New York address, and the toothed loading lever. The early “four-screw” frame has “COLTS/PATENT” on the left and is cut for a shoulder stock, and the iron back strap has the corresponding notch in the heel. The fluted cylinder has the 1850 patent marking in one flute. The trigger guard has a “D” on the left. Matching serial numbers are found on the wedge, arbor pin, barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The grip has five “kill notches” on the left side, and four more are on the right side towards the top. CONDITION: Good with mottled gray and brown patina, attractively aged patina on the trigger guard, generally distinct markings, a chip and what appears to be lead filler on the right side in the capping cut-out, replacement arbor pin renumbered to match, replacement wedge spring and artificially browned cylinder, peening at the joint of the barrel lug and frame, and mild pitting. The grip is good with moderate wear and some loss at the toe. Mechanically fine.
LOT 1219
Exceptional Civil War Leather Military Flap Holster for a Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver, Cap
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
Box and Belt Buckle - NSN. 1) Early type Civil War leather military flap holster for a Colt Model 1860 Army revolver. 2) E.A. Sniffen marked Civil War U.S. leather cap box with wool and a vent pick inside. 3) E. Pluribus Unum eagle belt buckle numbered “523” on the back.
CONDITION: All exceptionally fine with some minor age related wear. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
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