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hence the classification “Treble Action”. Less than fifty of these revolvers are thought to survive with this believed to be the only example inscribed to a Union officer, Captain W.D. Holt. The presentation inscription, engraved in two lines along the top strap, reads “Presented to Capt.
W.D. Holt/by Co. E, 31. Regt. N.J.” Woodbury Dresser Holt (1830-1909) was commissioned as captain of Company E of the 31st New Jersey Infantry on September 10, 1862. The regiment was recruited in Warren and Hunterdon counties and mustered in on September 17, 1862, at Flemington, New Jersey. His brother William Holt (1827-1902) was the regiment’s lieutenant colonel. The 31st initially served in the defenses of Washington and then moved to Aquia Creek,
Virginia, where they were stationed to guard the railroad until January of 1863 when they moved to Belle Plain for provost and guard duty. They joined the Army of the Potomac for the infamous “Mud March” and later returned to Belle Plain. They participated in the Chancellorsville
Campaign. They lost 39 enlisted men from disease before mustering out on June 24, 1863, but otherwise suffered no reported losses. Holt was born in Washington Township, New Hampshire. He married Anstiss Kimball on June 3, 1856, and taught school and studied law under John T. Bird in New Jersey prior to the Civil War. After the war, he continued to be referred to as Captain Holt during his long legal career. He also ran into some financial troubles as the proprietor of the Hotel Windsor in Trenton and was a state supreme court commissioner. With blued octagonal barrel with cone front sight, notch rear sight to the blued top strap, and blued frame with sprung hammer safety stop and sprung arbor catch. Casehardened cylinder and burnished hammer, trigger mechanism and rammer, the last two each marked “W. TRANTER’S PATENT”. The revolver is engraved with scrollwork throughout. Birmingham proof marks. Walnut butt with multi-point checkering and engraved case-hardened cap. In mahogany fitted case lined in green baize with a suite of accessories including Tranter patent brass 80 bore bullet mold, Dixon pewter oiler, Dixon brass mounted copper powder flask and three japanned tins respectively for 80 gauge bullets, Tranter’s lubricating composition and Eley waterproof pistol caps. CONDITION: Fine with crisp engraving throughout. The revolver retains 95% original blue finish throughout with minor handling wear to the hard edges and a small patch of light surface discoloration from resting against a case partition to the barrel. The blued finish on the trigger guard is mostly flaked leaving a grey patina. The cylinder and grip furniture retain 90% faded original casehardened finish. The butt has very minor handling blemishes and retains sharp, well-defined checkering. Case is good with exterior age related wear and staining and the lid cracked resulting in some damage to the lid lining. The remaining lining has age wear and staining with some rub marks from the revolver and accessories. The accessories remain good, one japanned tin lid label faded and stained. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 269
Cased Engraved & Nickel Plated Small Frame Cogswell & Harrison Retailed Tranter Patent “M.1868” (Second Pattern) Double Action Centerfire Revolver - Serial no. 60112, 380 cal., 3 inch octagon bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. With nickel plated octagonal barrel signed “COGSWELL & HARRISON/142 NEW BOND ST. LONDON” on the upper right flat and with blade front sight. Nickel plated frame marked “W. TRANTER’S PATENT” on the left side and with grooved top strap forming the rear sighting and hinged loading gate. Figured walnut butt with multi-point checkering and nickel plated cap. Border and scroll engraved throughout. Birmingham black powder proof marks. In fitted oak case lined in red baize, the lid with printed Cogswell & Harrison trade label. With pewter oiler, turnscrew and cleaning rod. CONDITION: Fine. The revolver retains 98% original plated finish throughout. The butt retains sharp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good with light age related storage marking. The lining remains very good. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,250
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LOT 268
Very Rare Presentation Cased Engraved Tranter Patent Five-Shot “Treble Action” Percussion Revolver Presented to Capt. Holt by Company E, 31 Regt. - Serial no. 14869T, 80 bore cal., 4 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This is a very rare example of Tranter’s “5th Model” or “Export Model” revolver known to collectors as the “Treble Action”. Whilst retaining Tranter’s famous double action self-cocking double trigger mechanism, the 5th Model also incorporates a thumb-cocked single action