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Samuel Colt originally commissioned these revolvers to be made specially for General Pelissier due to Colt’s strong admiration of him. Samuel Colt had friends in “high places,” and his connection to the Duke of Newcastle was critical in the assurance of delivery of these special revolvers.
Upon presentation of the revolvers, the Duke of Newcastle wrote a signed letter to Samuel Colt, “I had the pleasure of presenting in your name to General Pelissier a few days ago the brace
of revolvers which you entrusted with me. He seemed much pleased by the compliment you have paid him, and I have no doubt he will have written to thank you. The battle two days ago
was a brilliant affair on the part of the French and the Sardinians. The Russians attacked a strong position very gallantly.”The battle referenced in
the Duke of Newcastle’s letter was the Russian attack at the Battle of Chernaya on August 16th, 1855, in which the outnumbered combined forces of the French Empire and the Kingdom of Sardinia (approximately 36,000) met the inexperienced forces of the Russian Empire (approximately 58,000) with stiff resistance and emerged victorious under French command of General Pelissier. The combined French and Sardinian
forces suffered only less than 300 deaths and less than 1,600 wounded, while the defeated Russians suffered over 3,300 deaths, over 3,300 wounded, some sources state as many as 7,000 wounded, and 1,500 were captured. Tsar Alexander had plans for
a Russian victory in order to negotiate a peace with favorable terms, and instead the Russian Empire was humiliated greatly by the loss. It is considered to be one of the greatest victories in history,
owed greatly to the brilliant strategy of General Pelissier, considered to be the hero of France for his successful efforts.
The presentation of the revolvers is publicized throughout Europe. In "The American" newspaper printed in Paris on 6th October 1855.
recommend the adoption of this arm, that General Shirley, as well as other distinguished officers, have stated that not one of the accidents which have happened from the use of revolvers in the Crimea has been traced to Colt arms. Our own government has lately given an additional order for upward of nine thousand, and it could be wished that all these had arrived in the Crimea in time for the late glorious attack.”
In the 1850s as his firearms business based in Hartford, Connecticut, took off and made him a wealthy man, Samuel Colt courted various European powers looking to expand his business in Europe. The Crimean War in 1853-1856 represented an excellent opportunity for Colt to sell large quantities of revolvers and prove to Europeans that
his revolvers were excellent sidearms for military service, especially
his popular Model 1851 Navy revolvers. 5,000 of these Colt London manufactured Navy revolvers were purchased for use by the U.K.
Royal Army during the war, but Colt faced stiff competition in the
U.K. and ultimately lost out to the innovative and more powerful double action Beaumont-Adams revolvers which ultimately forced
the closure of his factory in London after it had manufactured around 42,000 of these Model 1851 Navy revolvers for the European market
in 1853-1857. French officers were still largely armed with single shot pistols at the time which represented a real opportunity for Colt. The Crimean War involved a massive number of men, in which the British and French joined forces with Turkey to declare war on the Russian Empire. The French force alone totaled over 309,000 men. The conflict was closely watched by international observers as it marked a new period in warfare as rifles became the standard infantry arms and artillery became increasingly more powerful. If he was able to secure significant contracts with a Continental European power like France, Colt could significantly expand his business, but, to do so, he needed influential figures like General Pelissier on his side. He presented them fine revolvers like these to make them familiar with his arms and to help grease the wheels.
Daily American Organ
11th October 1855.
Four days after the Battle of Chernaya on August 16th, 1855, and three days after the subsequent Fifth Bombardment of Sevastopol on August 17th, 1855 in which the city of Sevastopol was captured, General Pelissier wrote a letter of appreciation to Samuel Colt, dated August 20th, 1855, that states, “Colonel, His Grace, the Duke of Newcastle, has had the kindness to send me the two pistols that you have had the extreme goodness to offer me. I accept your present and thank you for having sent these beautiful arms, in which you display such rare skill and great perfection. Those of my officers who are occupied specially with firearms have admired them much. I am extremely touched by this cordial homage and I pray you to receive my distinguished assurance.”
The news of Sevastopol’s fall reached France on September 8th, 1855, and Paris erupted in celebration, with French national honor appeased. For his perseverance and heroism, Aimable Pelissier was promoted to the highest rank as Marshal of France. This presentation set of revolvers is further documented as publicized throughout Europe in “The American” newspaper, printed in Paris on October 6th, 1855, in which it proudly states, “The distinguished French Commander in Chief of the Crimea, Marshal Pelissier, has recently received from Colonel Colt a present of a beautiful pair of his World renowned Revolver: We have much pleasure in publishing the courteous reply from the Marshal, which will no doubt be perused with much satisfaction.” and proceeds to quote the aforementioned August 20th dated letter written by Pelissier.
Another American newspaper titled “Daily American Organ” also records the presentation of the revolvers as published on October 11th, 1855 in which it has the excerpt, “From the Hartford (Ct.) Times. Colt’s Pistols in the Crimea.” and states, “While he was in London, Colonel Colt sent out a pair of his famous revolving pistols as a present to General (now Marshal) Pelissier. The veteran soldier replied to Colonel Colt in the note copied below:” and has another excerpt, “From the London Morning Advertiser. Letter from General Pelissier.” that states, “The following letter has been received from General Pelissier, in acknowledgement of a pair of Colt’s revolvers, sent to him as a present by the inventor. It may not be inappropriate to state, since we so strongly
This matched pair of closely serialized 2nd Model Colt London Navy Revolvers have blued barrels and cylinders, casehardened loading levers, frames and hammers, and iron, silver-plated trigger guards and backstraps. The revolvers are fitted with deluxe, highly figured, piano-finished, walnut grips. The revolvers are embellished with delicate, English vine style scroll engraving on the barrel muzzles, top flats and lugs, the sides and bottoms of the loading levers, the frames, hammer tops and sides, trigger guards, and back straps. The top of the barrels
are roll-stamped: “-ADDRESS COL. COLT. LONDON-” in one line surrounded by engraved panels. “COLTS PATENT” is engraved in Old English script in ribbons on the left sides of the frames. The cylinders of both revolvers are roll-engraved with the Naval Battle of Campeche scene and “COLTS PATENT.” The full serial number is stamped on the loading lever, barrel, frame, trigger guard back strap and cylinder of each revolver. Punch-marks below the serial numbers on the barrels, frames, trigger guards, and back straps denote that the revolvers were designated at the factory for engraving and special finish. All of the visible serial numbers on both revolvers match. The London proof and view marks are stamped on the left side of both barrel lugs and cylinders. The revolvers have an oak, brass-bound, English style case with green lining. The case lid is inlaid with a circular, brass, folding, handle surrounding a round brass disk inscribed: “Genl Pelissier,/from the Inventor.” The case contains a steel cleaning rod with turned wooden handle, two blued iron double-cavity bullet molds for round balls and conical bullets marked “COLTS/PATENT” on the sprue cutters, two blued nipple wrench/screw-driver combination tools, lead .36 caliber round balls and conical bullets, two Eley Bros. percussion cap tins with green paper labels, and
a bag-shaped English powder flask with gold-plated brass top marked: “JAMES. DIXON/& SONS/SHEFFIELD,” an adjustable spout, and brown lacquer body.
Also with the pair is a large brass memorial medallion with the bust of Pelissier on the front and list of offices and positions he held and a British Crimean War campaign medal with a bust of Queen Victoria on the front marked “CRIMEA” and a Roman warrior receiving a laurel crown from Victory on the reverse along with the proper pale blue ribbon with yellow edges with three oak leaf clasps noting the battles of Sebastopol, Inkermann, and Alma.
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