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The split between the Republicans and the Progressives essentially threw the election to Woodrow Wilson and the Democrats. After his defeat, Roosevelt traveled to South America where he participated in the dangerous “River of Doubt” expedition aka the Roosevelt-Rondon Scientific Expedition. He planned to bring back examples of various animals for scientific study at the Smithsonian, but the expedition went poorly. Their boats were overturned losing supplies and their scientific specimens. Three members of the expedition died
and nearly everyone contracted malaria. Roosevelt himself at one point asked to be left behind for dead as he languished from an infected wound on his leg as well as malaria, but Kermit would not leave his father behind. Though he made it back
to New York, he never fully recovered his trademark vigor. Nonetheless, when World War I broke out, Roosevelt was authorized to raise volunteers but was stopped by President Wilson. His son Quentin served as a pilot and was shot down and killed. Theodore Roosevelt died on January 5, 1919.
Roosevelt’s last words were to his former bodyguard/valet, James E. Amos. He asked James to turn out the light and then died
in his sleep. Vice President Thomas R. Marshall famously remarked, “Death had
to take Roosevelt sleeping, for if he had been awake, there would have been a fight.” Unfortunately the identity of the specific bodyguard/valet that received this revolver was not recorded in the provenance documentation. Amos seems a very likely candidate and is known to have had one of Roosevelt’s revolvers in his possession after T.R.’s death. Amos was an African-American and began working for Roosevelt when he was president and was his valet for over a decade. His father was born into slavery and fought with the U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War and was a Washington, D.C., police officer when he met Roosevelt while he was riding his horse. James was initially hired to help care for Roosevelt’s children but quickly moved up, including taking care of Sagamore Hill, and as valet/bodyguard during his presidency and became a close friend of the president and his family. He later worked as a private detective as well as for the U.S. Customs and the Interior Department, but remained in contact with the former president and returned to work for him. The Theodore Roosevelt Center noted Roosevelt called Amos “the best
shot that I have ever seen” and indicated he “offered advice on Roosevelt’s gun collection and purchased and tested all of
his firearms.” Amos was not with Roosevelt during the assassination attempt, but he was with him while he was recovering and helped nurse him back into health. The family called him to be at Roosevelt’s side during his final hours. Amos later wrote about his time with Roosevelt in “Theodore Roosevelt: Hero to His Valet” and went on
to be one of the first and longest serving African American FBI agents, serving from 1921-1953. When Amos died, he left behind a variety of Roosevelt’s hunting trophies and other memorabilia to the Theodore Roosevelt Museum House. One page 151 of his book, Amos wrote, “While President he often went armed. I have in my home now
a large revolver which Mr. Roosevelt placed at the side of his bed every night while in the White House. It was given me by Mrs. Roosevelt after his death.” Thus, this revolver very well could have been Roosevelt’s bed stand gun and have been given to Amos. Bedside use would certainly help explain how this revolver has remained in such extraordinary condition.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The revolver retains 85% plus of the original blue finish and has 80% bright original case colors visible on the hammer and slightly more subdued original case colors on the trigger guard. Wear is mostly limited to the muzzle, cylinder, and back strap where the revolver displays smooth gray and brown patina. The engraving and markings remain exceptionally crisp. The grips are very fine and have crisp checkering, attractive figure, and minimal minor handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. The holster is very good with mild wear.
This incredible historic revolver is firmly documented by the factory as shipped to “Colonel Roosevelt” at the beginning of
the Spanish-American War and, as such,
is in a very exclusive class of presidential firearms. It has been on display in two of the most prestigious American firearms museums for many years and has been featured in multiple publications. Theodore Roosevelt remains one of the most admired presidents in American history, particularly to sportsmen and gun collectors, and thus this revolver is a true national treasure and will no doubt hold tremendous value for many years to come.
Provenance: The Mike Berkshire Collection; The Jeffrey Faintich Collection; The Albert Brichaux Collection; The Supica Collection.
Estimate: 800,000 - 1,400,000