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The revolver is accompanied by a research binder compiled by Greg Lampe. He noted that a William Henry Leach was born in Pennsylvania in 1831 but moved to Boston by 1850, lived with his parents, and died in November 1872 at the age
of 41. His father, Henry/Harry Leach, is noted as a trader selling various goods at 1 Mercantile wharf with a home at 2 Indiana. In 1859, William Leach joined the St. Johns Masonic Lodge, then one of the oldest and largest in the country. He worked in the U.S. Customs House in Boston c. 1855-1867 and later worked with his father. By 1870, he was running Leach & Co., a pawn and jewelry store at 13 Brattle Square in the business district. Shortly before his death, he married Mary Kate Egan who had been working in his store as a sales clerk. When he died, Leach’s estate included five guns, two revolvers, and three pistols. The revolvers were valued at $10 and $7. The will also listed various watches, gem stones, and other finery. Lampe theorizes that Leach lived with his parents due to frail health and further theorized that his father purchased him a cased set as a gift. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The barrel retains 85% plus original high polish blue finish while the cylinder retains 50% plus of original blue finish along with a distinct roll-scene and all but one of the safety pins in solid shape. The vast majority
of the original case colors remain, especially on the frame and hammer, and the trigger guard and back strap retain patches of original silver. The balance displays gray and brown patina, and the minimal overall wear is consistent with age and handling rather than use. The grip is also exceptionally fine and has some slight edge wear, minor dings and scratches, and nearly all of the original piano varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine with a few minor cracks primarily in the lid and some contact wear mainly from the cylinder on the lining. The accessories are very fine with strong original finish and minor storage wear including a few small dents in the flask. The inscription is crisp. This is an extremely high condition example of a factory engraved Colt Model 1851 Navy from the beginning Gustave Young’s time as Colt’s primary engraving contractor.
Provenance: The Michael Simens Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection.
Estimate: 40,000 - 60,000