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LOT 3247
Scarce Martially Inspected Pettengill
Army Revolver - Serial no. 4138, 44
cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Marked
“PETTENGILLS/PATENT 1856” and “PATD JULY 22. 1856/JULY 27. 1856” on
the top strap, “PATENTED/NOV. 4. 1862” on the bottom of the frame under
the cylinder. Matching numbers. Inspectors initials, mostly “W” on various parts
including grips. These revolvers were made for Pettengill by Rogers & Spencer. Pettengill received
a contract for 5000 of these revolvers at the beginning of the Civil War but the quality of the first
batch delivered was poor. The army reduced the contract to 2000 which were delivered between
October 1862 and January 1863. It is known that the 3rd Michigan Cavalry was issued 500 revolvers with other
mounted outfits such as the 3rd and 5th Missouri and 3rd Illinois receiving lesser amounts.
CONDITION: Very good with 20% original blue on the barrel and traces of the original casehardening pattern on
the loading lever. The cylinder is refinished with pitting visible under the remaining traces of blue. The frame has
light pitting on the top strap obscuring the markings. The grips are fine and retain much of the original varnish
with minor scratches and wear at the bottom edges. Mechanically functions, although cylinder does not lock up
always. This is a solid example of a scarce martially inspected Pettengill revolver.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 3246
Fine Civil War U.S. Contract E. Remington & Sons
New Model Army Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 52944,
44 cal., 8 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Remington’s
revolvers were the second most widely issued by the Union throughout
the Civil War. The New Model Army was manufactured
from 1863-1875 and represents the last of Remington’s
.44 caliber percussion revolvers. “PATENTED SEPT. 14.
1858/E. REMINGTON & SONS. ILION NEWYORK.U.S.A./
NEW-MODEL” marked in three lines on the top barrel flat.
All serial numbered components are matching, including
the barrel, trigger guard lug (concealed, requires
disassembly), left of the grip frame, and handwritten on
the underside of both grip panels. The cylinder is unnumbered. Single letter sub-inspection marks located on
various components. There is a boxed script “GP” inspection cartouche stamped on the left grip panel. It is fitted
with a threaded “pinched” blade front sight and top strap groove rear sight.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 50% plus of the original blue finish with some mild handling/holster wear thinning
some areas to a smooth brown patina. The brass trigger guard is attractively aged. The grips are very fine with a
crisp cartouche and some scattered minor dings and handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 3245
Fine U.S. Civil War Contract Starr Arms Co.
Model 1863 Army Single Action Percussion Revolver
- Serial no. 39725, 44 percussion cal.,
8 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. Manufactured by the Starr Arms
Co. of New York from 1863-1865 as
part of a 25,000 revolver contract for
the U.S. Ordnance Department. The
Model 1863 was intended as a cheaper
more easily manufactured alternative
to its double action cousin, the Model 1858. After Colt and
Remington, Starr revolvers were the third most widely used
revolvers of the war. This example shows standard markings
and features.
CONDITION: Fine overall, retains 40% original blue finish
and some traces of original case colors on the hammer and
loading lever with the balance a smooth grey patina. The fine grips show moderate wear and minor handling
marks consistent with use, as well as legible cartouches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,250
LOT 3248
E. Remington & Sons Rider Double Action
New Model Belt Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 1049,
36 cal., 6 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This model
was introduced in 1863 and was based on Joseph Rider’s patented
double action design. The top barrel flat has the three-line New Model
marking. London proofs are stamped on the left side of the barrel and
frame as well as between the cylinder chambers at the rear. Both grip panels and barrel are
numbered to the gun. .36 caliber percussion models are much less frequently encountered than
their the conversion counterparts.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 75% period refinished blue finish, faded to brown on the balance
and smooth gray patina on
the grip straps. The re-oiled
grips are very fine with
some very shallow dings on
the bottom. Mechanically
functions fine, although
slightly out of time.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3244
Factory Engraved Massachusetts Arms Co. Wesson & Leavitt Belt Model Percussion Revolver - Serial no.
253, 31 cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. Only approximately 1,000 of the
Wesson & Leavitt Belt Model revolvers were manufactured by the Massachusetts Arms Co. in 1850 and 1851 before
production was halted due to a patent infringement suit won by Colt. The design was in part by Edwin Wesson,
older brother of Daniel B. Wesson of later Smith & Wesson fame. The younger Wesson and Horace Smith were
among the incorporators of the Massachusetts Arms Co. In addition to the standard markings and cylinder etching,
the revolver has high quality floral scroll engraving on the frame, lock, and hammer and a silver plated trigger guard
and grip straps. “204” marked on the back of the barrel “barb” and face of the arbor pin. “253” marked on the front
surface of the frame behind the cylinder. Includes a Wesson & Leavitt pocket sized powder flask and a Mass Arms Co.
brass .31 caliber ball/bullet mold with sprue cutter.
CONDITION: Very good, retains traces of the thinned original blue finish on the barrel with strong original blue
finish on the barrel latch, patterns of vivid original case colors strongest on the top strap, 95% original silver finish
on the trigger guard and grip straps, and sharp engraving. Grip is also fine with a few light scratches and dings.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500