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Theodore Roosevelt had by then known Pershing for several
years and nominated him that year for a field grade promotion in recognition of his service and talents. He was in Chicago prior to being assigned to the General Staff and heading to Washington at the end of the month.
The newspapers in October 1903 ran headlines such as “Capt. Pershing May Be Brigadier General” and also highlighted his career up to that point and had little idea of how much more he was to do in the service of our country.
Pershing graduated from West Point in 1886 and initially served
in the 6th U.S. Cavalry and by 1892 as first lieutenant in the 10th Cavalry (Buffalo Soldiers). In 1897, he returned to West Point as an instructor West Point and was given the nickname “Black Jack” in response to his prior leadership of African-American troopers. He soon was pulled to active service during the Spanish-American War and served returned to the 10th Cavalry as their quartermaster. Together Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders, Pershing
and the 10th Cavalry, and the 3rd U.S. Cavalry captured Kettle Hill during the Battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba. Sergeant George Berry of the 10th Cavalry is credited with being the first to reach the summit. Pershing indicated, “the entire command moved forward as coolly as though the buzzing of bullets was the humming of bees. White regiments, black regiments, regulars and Rough Riders, representing the young manhood of the North and the South, fought shoulder to shoulder, unmindful of race or color, unmindful of whether commanded by ex-Confederate or not, and mindful
of only their common duty as American.” Together, the Americans then held the hill against the Spanish counterattack, and Pershing left a lasting impression on Roosevelt who later wrote, “I have been in many fights, but Captain Pershing is the coolest man under fire I ever saw in my life.”
After fighting in Cuba, he was stationed in the Philippines. In the first half of 1903, he led U.S. troops against the defiant Moros, winning several notable victories on the island of Mindanao. He applied to return home after four years of service in harsh tropical climates and returned to the U.S. in June of 1903. At the time
this revolver was shipped, President Theodore Roosevelt had petitioned to get then Captain Pershing promoted unsuccessfully as appointments below the rank of brigadier general required approval. Roosevelt promoting him a brigadier general, but considered such a jump in rank unprecedented and insulting
to other officers Roosevelt counted among his friends. In 1905, Roosevelt personally wrote to Pershing congratulating him on his impending engagement and invited Pershing and his fiancée to join the Roosevelt’s for lunch. His fiancée, Helene Frances Warren, was notably the daughter of Senator Francis E. Warren of Wyoming, the Chair of the Senate’s Military Appropriations Committee. Roosevelt sent Pershing to Japan as a military attache during the Russo-Japanese War, and Roosevelt himself notable was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating the end of the conflict.
In 1906, Roosevelt made a bold move and promoted Pershing to brigadier general. In doing so, Pershing skipped multiple ranks
and jumped ahead of over 862 more-senior officers. Roosevelt is known to have valued merit over seniority and to have rewarded men he was impressed by regardless of their position in society. Having seen Pershing in action in 1898 and reports of his success in the Philippines, Roosevelt had plenty reasons to consider Pershing well-suited to his promotion. He wrote to Senator Warren, “I am sure that Pershing will make good; and that is all I have to ask
of him.” Given Roosevelt’s love of guns and history of presenting fine guns to his friends and allies as well as his clear fondness for Pershing, it is easy to imagine Roosevelt ordering special revolvers
for Pershing and a few other officers on the War Department General Staff that had earned his admiration.
After his promotion, Brigadier General Pershing bounced between several commands, including returning to the Philippines as the governor of Moro Province and commander of the Department of Mindanao. After returning to the U.S., he was stationed in in San Francisco and then was sent to Fort Bliss, Texas. While there, a fire broke out back at the Presidio in San Francisco killing his wife and three young daughters. His six year old son Warren was the only survivor from the family and returned with his father to Fort Bliss and later fought in World War II, and General Pershing focused
on his work, soon leading the U.S. effort to capture Pancho Villa during the Mexican Punitive Expedition and was promoted to major general. Roosevelt, now a private citizen, wrote to Pershing to express his pride: “My dear General, permit me to say how proud and pleased I am with your brilliant handling of the situation and of the admirable record of the officers and men under you. It has not been easy for an American to be proud of much during the past two years...”
Pershing’s big rise to fame and glory came during the First World War when he was appointed as the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces, leading the U.S. to victory and providing much needed support to the war worn Allies. During the war,
he wrote to former President Roosevelt about the loss of his son Quentin who as shot down and killed. He famously called for all of Germany to be occupied and for an unconditional surrender. Had he been listened to, the tragedies of World War II perhaps could have been avoided. For leading the U.S. troops to victory, in 1919, he was promoted to General of the Armies of the United States. He remain the only officer granted the rank during their own lifetime. George Washington, for whom the title was originally created, and Ulysses S. Grant were posthumously awarded the rank decades after Pershing. He served as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army before retiring in 1924 at the age of 64, the mandatory military retirement age, and died in Washington, D.C., in 1948. Newspapers across
the country noted that Pershing’s death was mourned by many, especially the veterans of the Great War he successfully led. CONDITION: Very fine with crisp factory engraving and markings, 80% plus original blue finish, smooth brown patina on the balance, scattered specks of rust oxidation, and generally fairly mild age and handling related wear. The lanyard loop is absent with the stud broke off in butt. The grips are excellent with crisp checkering, attractively aged patina, natural grain visible, and small age lines. Mechanically excellent. The sword/machete is very fine with a bright blade, minor spotting, attractively aged patina on the hilt and scabbard fittings, rub wear on the leather, and generally minor overall wear mostly from age.
This extraordinary set and its documentation has answered some questions about the origin of this small group of 5 factory engraved U.S. government contract Colt New Army Model 1903 revolvers shipped in 1903 and left us yearning for more answers. Of the five, this revolver is certainly the most desirable given its original owner: General of the Armies John J. Pershing. Even without this historic ownership, this revolver is among the rarest of all Colt firearms as
a factory engraved Colt New Army Model 1903 with deluxe factory grips ordered by the U.S. government.
Provenance: General of the Armies John J. Pershing; Edmond Giovannetti; Vincent Edmund Giovannetti; Sandra Giovannetti Murray.
Estimate: 25,000 - 40,000
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