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LOT 1221
Historic Civil War Era Colt
Model 1861 Navy Percussion Revolver
Inscribed to George H. Andrews of the U.S. Navy with Factory Letter
- Serial no. 6687, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish,
walnut grips. The Model 1861 Navy is one of the most popular Colt percussion revolvers with collectors,
but they are considerably rarer than many of Colt’s other percussion revolvers. For example, only 38,843 of these
revolvers were manufactured compared to around 272,000 of the Model 1851 Navy revolvers. Naturally, given their limited production,
period presentation inscribed examples are particularly scarce. The included factory letter indicates this revolver shipped to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham in New York City in a shipment of ten revolvers of this type on April 22, 1862. Aside from the “2” marked above or below the matching serial numbers along the bottom of the barrel and the inscribed back strap, it is a standard Model
1861 Navy. The back strap is beautifully inscribed “Geo. H. Andrews/U.S.N.” in script followed
by “{Presented by the Executive Committee/of the Troy Young Mens’ Association.” in smaller script.
“New York in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865” indicated George H. Andrews was “appointed Acting
Assistant Paymaster and Clerk, May 24, 1862; resigned, May 3, 1865.” New York newspapers on June, 5, 1862,
indicated “Acting Assistant Paymaster George H. Andrews has been ordered to the Mohawk.” Civil War records
confirm he was the acting assistant paymaster on the steamer USS Mohawk which had sailed for New York
from operations in the Caribbean on April 8, 1862. In June 1862, the Mohawk left New York for Port Royal, South
Carolina, where it joined the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron and returned north on June 27, 1864, for repairs
and was sold on July 12, 1864. Andrews was later stationed on the Canonicus-class monitor USS Saugus until his resignation in 1865. The Saugus operated primarily in the James River Squadron, and Andrews is likely one of the men shown in the photographs of the officers and crew aboard the Saugus in early 1865. After the assassination of President Lincoln, the Saugus held some of the eight suspected conspirators. Andrews appears to have been born on May 18, 1839, and died on April 3, 1867, and then buried in Buffalo, New York.
The Troy Young Men’s Association was a literary and educational organization in Troy, New York, founded in 1835 and ran a library for its members. In 1862, its president was Andrew B Fales.
Included research from the consignor indicates that Andrews had been an assistant librarian and in positions on the board of the association. Troy was a major iron and steel production
center during the mid-19th century. On March 9, 1862, the USS Monitor battled the CSS Virginia in the famous Battle of the Hampton Roads also known at the Battle of the Ironclads. The Rensselaer Ironworks of Troy had provided much of the Monitor’s hull plating and castings, and much of the rest of the vessel was also produced of New York iron making the inland city directly connected to the U.S. Navy during the Civil War.
CONDITION: Very good with 20% original case colors, traces of original blue, gray and brown patina on the balance of the steel, patches of age darkened silver plating in some of the protected areas of the grip frame, attractively aged patina on the balance of the grip frame, crisp inscription and other markings, and general mild overall wear. The re-oiled grip is fine and has some mild scratches and dings and light edge wear. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1222
Exceptional Civil War U.S. Contract Colt Model 1860 Army Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 143505, 44 cal., 8 inch round
bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. The Colt Model 1860 Army was the primary revolver used by the Union during the Civil War. This exceptional example was manufactured in 1863. Various single letter inspection marks, and crisp boxed script “HBJ” (H. B. Johnson) and “JT”
(John Taylor) inspection cartouches stamped on both sides of the grip. Full and partial matching serial number “143505” marked on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, butt, cylinder, and cylinder pin. Replacement wedge numbered “3652”.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 60% plus original blue finish with smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, 85% vivid original case colors, attractive bright golden patina on the brass, some scattered patches of minor pitting, sharp cylinder scene, markings and edges in the metal overall. Grip is excellent with rich oil finish, a few light scratches and handling marks, distinct edges and exceptionally crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Cranford Dalby Collection.
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Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500