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LOT 3076
Desirable Documented Confederate Use Attributed New
Orleans, Louisiana April 1861 Shipped
Colt Model 1860 Army Fluted Cylinder Revolver with Factory Letter -
Serial no. 2373, 44 percussion cal., 8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. The included
factory letter confirms the serial number, caliber, barrel length, blue finish with brass trigger guard and wood grip. The letter stat that the revolver was shipped to Kittredge & Folsom, New Orleans, Louisiana, on 9 April 1861 as a shipment of 50 guns. The date
and shipping address undoubtedly indicates Confederate use (Colt’s shipping of revolvers to the South at the outbreak of the Civil War has been a source of debate for years). This revolver is one of only about 4,000 Colt Model 1860 Army Revolvers
manufactured with the full fluted cylinder. These revolvers appear in the first 8,000 serial numbers and have a four-screw
frame with recoil shields cut for an attachable shoulder stock. Brass trigger guard and iron backstrap. The cylinder is stamped with the 1850 patent date and the full serial number, both markings are present in individual cylinder flutes. The top of the
es
WILLIAM H. LILLY WAS WOUNDED AT THE BATTLE OF GAINES' MILL
barrel is marked “-ADDRESS SAML COLT HARTFORD CT.” and “COLT’S / PATENT” is stamped on left side of the frame. Matching full serial number on
the cylinder, barrel, frame, trigger guard and backstrap, with the partial serial number “237” on the barrel wedge. Blade front and hammer notch rear sights, and fitted with a one piece smooth walnut grip.
CONDITION: Very good. The revolver has an attractive untouched smooth, dark brown patina, with some scattered mild pitting. The brass has
a smooth aged patina and the period hand marked initials “TV”. There is a period reglued chip (which has aged over naturally) near the frame, chipped toes and a couple chips absent, otherwise the grip is good with some minor dings and scratches and a minor indentation on the right side. Mechanically fine. A scarce opportunity to buy a highly desirable Colt Model 1860 fluted Army with unquestionable Confederate history. Seldom does this occur!
Estimate: 7,000 - 10,000
LOT 3077
Historic 12th Mississippi Reg’t
Inscribed Colt Model 1848 Baby Dragoon Percussion Pocket Revolver
with Hyde and Goodrich New Orleans Agent Markings - Serial no. 529, 31
cal., 4 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. This rare early Colt revolver
was manufactured in 1847 and has the distinctive barrel without loading lever, round cylinder stops, and squareback trigger guard that identifies the short lived
Model 1848 “Baby Dragoon” revolvers that mark the start of Colt’s popular line of percussion pocket revolvers. Only around 15,000 of these were manufactured before the transition to
the similar Model 1849 Pocket in 1850. The top of the barrel is marked “ADDRESS SAML COLT/NEW-YORK CITY”and“HYDE & GOODRICH/AGENTS NEW ORLEANS,”and“COLTS/PATENT” is marked on the left side of the frame. The matching serial number is marked on the
barrel, cylinder, frame, trigger guard, wedge and backstrap. “COLTS/PATENT” and the Texas Ranger and Indians scene are on the cylinder. The back strap has a stop screw added at the
top behind the hammer and is inscribed with “Maj. Wm H. Lilly 12th Miss. Reg.” William H. Lilly
(1837-1863) of New Orleans served in Company G (“Natches Fencibles”) of the 12th Mississippi Regiment first as
a private and was promoted to major on May 1, 1862, and commanded the 12th at Gaines Mill on 27 June, 1862
where he was wounded during the capture of a Union battery. He was later killed in a train wreck while crossing
the bridge over Chunky Creek near Hickory Station, Mississippi, on February 19, 1863. The train was headed to
Vicksburg to reinforce the Confederate army against Sherman’s assault. The train derailed and crashed into the
cold creek because the tracks were out of alignment due to flooding and debris pressure on the bridge. C. W.
Bradley and D. B. Taylor of the 12th Infantry were also among the 75 passengers killed.
CONDITION: Fair. The revolver displays dark gray and brown patina on the steel along with patches of moderate pitting and numerous deep dents visible on the right side of the recoil shield capping groove. The markings, including the inscription, remain mostly crisp aside from the cylinder roll scene. Some of the nipples are broken. The grip frame has traces of original silver and an attractive deep aged
patina. The revarnished grip is also fair and has moderate lower edge wear, a few chips and nicks, and hammering marks on the butt. Mechanically fine. This is definitely an interesting and rare Southern retailer marked Colt revolver inscribed to a Confederate officer
killed en route to the aid the defense of Vicksburg.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
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