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This historic set is pictured on page 88 and described in detail on page 89 of “Fine Colts, The Joseph A. Murphy Collection” by R.L. Wilson where the inscription on the backstrap is noted as reading “To James Mc Clatchie/With compliments of Colts P.F.A. M. Co.” as engraved and presented to James McClatchie, and that the Colt factory ledgers (Journal B, page 412) list this cased set as a $28.88 (no expenses spared!) cost charged to the factory presentation account on Friday, November 30th, 1866 and confirms the revolvers configuration, including the barrel length of 3 1/2 inches, listed
as a “NM Pkt Pistol”, “ex” (extra fine) engraved, ivory grips and with “all appendages in case for James McClatchie.” R.L. Wilson firmly states “The McClatchie Root is one of the finest Colt percussion
sets in existence, and remains in unfired condition.”This historic presentation revolver is also pictured next to the “Charter Oak” Colt 1855 and described on page 13 of the book “Guns of the American West” as well as on page 115 of “Colt Single Action; From Patersons to Peacemakers” and pictured on its own on page 45 of “Guns of the Civil War” all by author Dennis Adler, and all three books state this is “One of the finest Root Sidehammer pistols known.” This is a Model 7 variant of the Model 1855 “Root” revolver series with finely detailed “vine” factory scrollwork. The “vine” style dominated the 1860’s decade as the in vogue pattern, and adorns several of the other most elite percussion Colts of the same period including the Parson’s 1861 Navy, 19928 (presented in 1865) and the Norton 1860 Army, 154768 (presented in 1865) to name a few.
An elegant banner is engraved around the main serial number on the butt. The butt serial number has the suffix “IE”, which denotes the special checkered antique ivory grip and engraving by the factory. All bluing is an extra deluxe high gloss factory presentation finish. The top of the 3 1/2 inch barrel has the two-line New York address: “ADDRESS COL. COLT/NEW-YORK U.S.A.” The cylinder is numbered to the gun, has the stagecoach holdup scene and has
a screw that retains the cylinder pin. The underside of the barrel is also numbered to the gun. The high grade mahogany case contains a double sided “COLTS/PATENT” eagle powder flask, Eley Bros cap tin, four “COL.COLT’S PATENT/NEW MODEL/REVOLVING POCKET PISTOL” marked ammunition boxes containing five rounds each (twenty rounds total), L-shaped combination screwdriver, key and a deluxe high polish blue two cavity “COLT’S/PATENT” bullet mold.