Page 139 - 4096-FLIPBOOK3

In regards to the presenters, George W. Shields is listed as acting assistant surgeon from November
24, 1863, until he was honorably discharged on January 19, 1866, and Frederick Read is listed as
acting ensign starting on December 24, 1862, acting master starting on March 5, 1864, and as
honorably discharged September 16, 1865. Official records indicate Le Roy Fitch was in
command of the 10th District, Cumberland River and Upper Ohio on-board the Moose, and
Read was part of his command and the acting master of the Victory. Shields meanwhile was
assigned to the Victory which was likewise engaged in the fight against Morgan and his
raiders. The date of the presentation is listed as May 6, 1865. While the major battles of the
war were over, Confederate forces continued to fight in smaller skirmishes. That same day
The Daily Picayune of New Orleans reported: “On Friday morning last, as the gunboat Moon,
Capt. Le Roy Fitch, was coming down the Tennessee, on its way to join the fleet on the lower
Mississippi, it came upon a large body of guerrillas, estimated at 500, who were crossing
from south to the north side of the river. About one-half of the force had crossed the river
before the Moon neared there. The guns of the Moon were turned upon the outlaws, and
27 of the killed and seven men and 35 horses capture. The guerrilla force is virtually used
up, as it is divided by the river.” Similar reports were made in other newspapers in early May
1865. Confederate President Jefferson Davis was captured a few days later on May 10th.
The revolver was manufactured in 1863 and most likely shipped to major dealers Schuyler,
Hartley & Graham in New York and was then engraved by renowned Master Engraver Louis
D. Nimschke. It features stunning engraving consistent with Nimschke’s known work as well
as pulls illustrated in “L. D. Nimschke Firearms Engraver” by R. L. Wilson. Much of the engraving
consists of extraordinarily detailed scroll engraving with beaded backgrounds. Additional patterns
include entwining lines on the upper left and right barrel flats, gadrooning, shell and floral
accents, a wolf’s head motif on the sides of the hammer, and wavy line borders. The revolver is
finished in silver on the barrel, frame, and grip straps and gold on the loading lever, cylinder,
hammer, and trigger. “P” is marked above or below the matching serial number “13699” on the
barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap, and the loading lever has “9690” with the “0” lighter
than the other digits. As noted above, the backstrap is inscribed “Le Roy Fitch”. The left side of
the ivory grip is carved with a spread wing eagle in a nest with two eaglets battling a snake. The
rosewood presentation case has the noted inscribed lid escutcheon as well as markings on the
underside that in part lists “PISTOL”, “TOOL”, and “FLASK”. The case contains a set of silvered
accessories consisting of a martial pattern powder flask with slanted charger, an L-shaped combination
tool, and a “COLTS/PATENT” and “36 B.” marked bullet mold along with an Eley cap tin.
CONDITION: Very fine as professionally restored with nearly all of the darkened silver plating remaining,
bright gold on the hammer and loading lever, some fading on the cylinder, crisp engraving and
markings, and fairly minimal wear. The grip is also very fine and has slight shrinkage, attractive aged
patina, crisp carving, and a slight chip at the toe on the left. Mechanically functions. The case is fine and
has a crisp inscription, some fading and contact wear on the lining, and general age and storage related
wear. The professionally restored silver accessories are very fine with essentially all of their attractive
darkened silver plating, and the cap tin has only minor wear. Overall, a beautiful presentation cased and
inscribed Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver from the end of the American Civil War.
Provenance: To Lieutenant Commander Le Roy Fitch from Acting Master Frederick Read and
Acting Assistant Surgeon George W. Shields; The Nick Shannon Collection.
Estimate: 20,000 - 30,000