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The addition of a coronet embellishment suggests that this pair was intended to be presented to royalty. The coronets display five visible leaves which commonly corresponds to a duke. Although no historical documentation is provided with these revolvers, it is of special note that Grand Duke Alexei, the son of Russian Tsar Alexander II and the brother of the future Russian Tsar, partook in a tour of the United States in the autumn of 1871 that was met with grand fanfare and was viewed as a major milestone in U.S.-Russia relations. This was one of the most regal expeditions put on by the United States government to date. The royal visit came on the heels of Russia’s sale of Alaska to the U.S., and relations
between the two countries was at an all-time high. The entire tour garnered a lot of favorable national media coverage, and the touring
royal was often greeted with large crowds. Part of the Grand Duke’s tour included a buffalo hunt that started on his 22nd birthday. Wild West showman Buffalo Bill, General George Custer and Pawnee Indian chiefs accompanied the Russian royal. It is known that the Grand Duke carried with him a Gustave Young engraved S&W large caliber handgun with finely decorated U.S. and Russian coat of arms on the grip that was presented
to him when he visited the S&W factory. The coronet and eagle on these revolvers is reminiscent of the coat of arms embellishment on the known
S&W revolver carried by the Grand Duke. The Russian royal was able to nab two buffalos, one of which was at a distance of 100 paces with a pistol shot. The hunt left an indubitable mark on the Grand Duke. As a reminder of his great American adventures the Grand Duke organized in St. Petersburg annual entertainment that expressed the imagery of the American West. This pair of highly embellished revolvers would have certainly made for a grand gift for Grand Duke Alexei who became enthralled with everything Wild West.