Page 215 - 88-BOOK2

LOT 1206
Historic Civil War E. Whitney Second Model Navy
2nd Type Percussion Revolver Inscribed to William P.
Kellogg, Colonel of the 7th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry and
Later Governor of Louisiana - Serial no. 5907, 36 cal., 7 3/4 inch octagon bbl.,
blue finish, walnut grips. The U.S. Navy purchased 4,300 Whitney Navy revolvers
during the Civil War, with a total of roughly 33,000 of first and second Model Navy revolvers
manufactured by Whitney in the late 1850s to early 1860s in various configurations. This Whitney Second Model Navy 2nd Type revolver falls in the correct serial range of 1200-13000. Matching serial number
on the bottom of the barrel, loading lever, cylinder pin, and inside the grips. No numbers visible on the rear of the cylinder. “E. WHITNEY/N. HAVEN” marked on the top of the barrel. Roll stamped cylinder scene
(faint). “Col. W. P. Kellogg./7th Ill Cavalry.” inscribed in fancy script on the bottom of the trigger guard. At the
age of 18, William Pitt Kellogg (1830-1918) moved from his native Vermont to the State of Illinois where he studied law, eventually opening a law
office in Canton, Illinois. He joined the Republican Party and met Abraham Lincoln, who shortly after becoming President of the United States in 1861, appointed Kellogg as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Nebraska Territory. Kellogg left his position with the Court at the outbreak of
the Civil War to become colonel of the 7th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry and commanded the regiment until ill health required him to resign in 1862 but not before playing a pivotal role in a small battle in Sikeston, Missouri, where his men encountered Confederate forces preparing for the Battle of Island Number Ten. William Kellogg originally entered politics in 1860, serving as a presidential elector on the Republican ticket, became
collector of the port of New Orleans from 1865-1868, and became a member of the U.S. Senate between 1868-1872 as well as 1877-1883, serving a term as the Governor of Louisiana between 1873-1877. Kellogg’s political career is notable as he was one of the most successful and important “carpetbaggers,” Northern
ablished political careers in the South, during the Reconstruction era (1865-1877). Few of his fellow Republicans maintained power in the South as long
Colonel William P. Kellogg
politicians who est
as Kellogg. The Reconstruction era was a pivotal and turbulent moment in American history as it marked the abolishment of slavery and the reintegration of Southern
states following the Civil War. After resigning from the army, Kellogg returned to Nebraska to resume his position as Chief Justice. At the end of the Civil War and just days
before his assassination, President Lincoln appointed Kellogg as the federal collector of customs of the port of New Orleans. During the election of 1882, he was elected
to the U.S. House of Representatives and served one term from 1883-1885 as he was defeated for reelection in 1884 by Democrat Edward James Gay. After his defeat in
the election of 1884 Kellogg remained in Washington, D.C., where he died in 1918. Kellogg is perhaps best remembered for the gubernatorial race of 1872 that threw the
Louisiana state government into disarray as both gubernatorial candidates, Democrat John McEnery and Republican Kellogg, declared victory. The election of 1872 is a prime
example of Reconstruction political tensions turning violent. The State Returning Board, which validated all election returns, refused to call Kellogg the winner and instead
declared McEnery governor. In response, an opposing election board was established to declare Kellogg the winner. The two governments operated separately until the
dispute reached a climax on September 14, 1874, with the Battle of Liberty Place, or Battle of Canal Street, an attempted insurrection by McEnery supporters against the
Reconstruction era Louisiana state government. The McEnery faction occupied the State House for three days, ending when President Grant threatened to send federal troops to restore order.
CONDITION: Very good, with smooth brown patina indicative of genuine period use, traces of original blue finish visible on the underside of the barrel, some areas of light pitting and a few light dings on the right of the barrel. Brass trigger guard retains a pleasing golden aged patina with a crisp inscription. Grips are also very good with general wear, scratches and dents. Mechanically fine. Replacement cylinder pin retainer, possibly of the period. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 1207
Very Scarce Martially Inspected Civil War U.S. Contract Pettengill Army Model
Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 4231, 44 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. Pettengill Army Model Double Action revolver manufactured by Rodgers & Spencer &
Co., of Willow Dale, New York. There were approximately 3,400 total Pettengill Army revolvers
manufactured, with this example included as one of 2,000 purchased by the U.S. Ordnance Department between October
1862-January 1863. The Pettengill double action revolver is known for fouling internal parts after several discharges, which made it nearly impossible to
fire. Pettengill Army revolvers were issued in quantity to the 3rd Michigan Volunteer Cavalry and in small numbers to several other Midwestern cavalry regiments. The top strap is marked “PETTENGILLS/PATENT 1856/PATD JULY 22 1856/& JULY 27 1858”. The serial number “4231” is stamped on the side
of the cylinder, inside of the trigger guard, underside of both grips, and on the butt. “W” sub-inspection mark on the left side of the loading lever and
bottom flats of both grip panels, and “WW” on the left of the barrel and frame. Boxed script “NW” (Nathaniel Whiting) inspection cartouche stamped on the
left grip panel.
CONDITION: Very good plus, retains 30% original blue finish mostly concentrated on the barrel and in protected areas, with scattered moderate pitting/spotting and brown and gray patina. Grips are fine with some scattered scratches, a few chips at the top of the left panel, some minor chipping along the bottom edges, and a well defined cartouche and inspectors initials on butt. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
213