Page 190 - 4091-BOOK2

SIMILAR EXAMPLES PICTURED IN THE BOOK THE GUNS OF REMINGTON BY MADAUS
188
LOT 1225
Outstanding Cased Special Order
Engraved, Etched, and Silver Plated
Remington New Model Army Percussion
Revolver - Serial no. 29, 44 cal., 8 inch
octagon bbl., silver/blue finish, antique ivory
grips. This truly extraordinary New Model
Army was likely embellished for presentation
or display. The Special Order Department
serial number “29” is marked on the left side
of the grip frame near the toe and on the
backside of the trigger guard and hand-
written on the inside of the grips. The number on the bottom of the barrel is mostly obscured by the silver plating but appears to also be “29.” Howard Madaus estimated that
less than 100 in-house embellished guns were manufactured during the Civil War. Matching or similar cylinder etching is shown on multiple models of Remington revolvers
pictured in “The Guns of Remington: Historic Arms Spanning Two Centuries” by Madaus and Goodwin, including two revolvers on page 56. In some examples, the shooter wears
a cape/cloak. It features a pinched blade front sight, standard barrel markings with engraved borders, traditional punch dot backed scroll engraving on the rear of the barrel
and most of the frame as well as the trigger guard bow, some geometric pattern accents and borders on the barrel and back strap, gadroon patterns along the top strap sight
groove and lower front sides of the frame, etched scrollwork on the loading lever, and a detailed etched scene of two men on horseback among trees and one of the men firing
a handgun at the other. Some of the patterns are off-center or uneven. An “N” is marked ahead of the lever catch. The back of the cylinder has a “W,” and a “J” is on the left side of
the trigger guard. A small “1” is also on the left side of the front strap. The strain screw is absent. The screws, cylinder, and loading lever are blued, and the remaining surfaces are
silver plated. The mahogany case contains a double sided powder flask with a pair of pheasants and a dog on each side and a slanted spout, an American Powder Co. cartridge box with lead conical bullets inside, R.D. Walker cap tin, and a dual cavity bullet mold.
CONDITION: Excellent overall with 98% of the original silver plating showing some slight flecking and natural aged patina, 90% plus original blue finish showing some slight fading and cylinder drag lines, minor edge wear throughout, crisp engraving and etching patterns, slight shrinkage of the grips which show a slight check on the right and appropriate age and handling related discoloration, and minor handling and storage wear. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are very good with mostly storage wear, including some staining and discoloration of the case lining and a cracked divider. This is a gorgeous and incredibly scarce example of the Remington Special Order Department’s work complete with a case and accessories. These Special Order Department guns are rarely available and are missing from many of the most advanced Remington collections. Chances to acquire one of these pieces in this high level of condition and special order features is most likely seldom offered in a lifetime. Provenance: The Robert M. Lee Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 27,500 - 42,500