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After the Mexican-American War ended, most of
the surviving Colt Walker revolvers were returned to
government arsenals in Texas. Of the 191 turned in by Hays’s
men at the end of the war, only 82 are recorded as remaining
serviceable, but the revolvers continued to be issued in Texas during
in the late 1840s. Many of the Walkers used during the Mexican-American
War and in fights with Native Americans in the late 1840s were shipped to
the San Antonio Ordnance Depot and were captured by the Confederacy at the
beginning of the Civil War and then issued to Confederate cavalry units. During their
service life, many Walkers were lost or destroyed. Those that have survived tend to show
signs of hard period use, abuse, and often modifications. This example is an exceptional example
of period modifications as it has a shortened barrel fitted with a modified loading lever using the lever
arm from a Starr Model 1858 revolver, a clever period modification to keep this revolver in the fight.
Aside from the modifications to improve upon the original Walker design, this revolver remains in
rather high condition for a Walker and is particularly notable for having a distinct roll-scene. Samuel
Colt recognized the significance of his friends in Texas and the roll they played in his business, and
memorialized them on the roll-scenes on his revolvers, including first a roll-scene of the Texas Rangers
fighting the Comanche at the Battle of Walker’s Creek on the Walker. These roll-scenes were also useful for
Colt’s marketing as they memorialized successful use of Colt firearms in combat. Due to being lightly marked on
the Walkers and the cylinders generally being worn from age and use, most Walkers do not have a distinct roll-scene,
but this example’s scene is nice and legible and even the border line at the rear of the scene remains distinct. In addition to
the roll-scene, the other markings are also nice and legible. The barrel has “ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY” reading from
the breech towards the muzzle on top, “US/1847” above the wedge on the right, “C COMPANY No 215” on the left side, and “215” on the rear of
the lug. The frame has “215” on the front and “C COMPANY No 215” on the left side, and the cylinder has “C COM-Y No 215” as well as “21” visible
on the rear. The trigger guard has “COM-Y No 215”, and the back strap has “C COMPANY No 215” on the butt. The wedge is blank. The revolver is
accompanied by a black leather flap holster.
CONDITION: Very good with distinct markings including most of the cylinder scene and border line, generally untouched gray and brown patina
on the rear half of the revolver, re-browning of the forward section of the barrel, attractively aged patina on the brass trigger guard, absent right
frame pin, replacement front sight, light pitting, faint flaw from manufacturing on the left side of the frame at the bottom of the recoil shield, and
moderate wear as you’d expect from a revolver that would have seen combat in the Mexican-American War and likely beyond. The grip is also
very good and has chips at the toe, dings on the butt, and mild scratches. Mechanically excellent. The holster is fair with detached strap, crackling,
minor flaking, and some tears. This is a highly desirable example of one of the most important of all Colt firearms. Few authentic U.S. Colt Walker
Model Revolvers are known to collectors, and the C Company Walkers are especially significant as they were made for Captain Samuel Walker’s
company at the beginning of production and then saw use by the Texans in Mexico.
Estimate: 85,000 - 140,000
Historic Fact
C Company Walkers are particularly significant as they
were the first standard batch of 220 revolvers produced
as part of the 1,000 gun contract, and were specifically
marked for Captain Samuel H. Walker's C Company of
the U.S. Mounted Rifleman.
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