This fascinating grouping is attributed to Civil War Naval Officer Frank Hamilton Pulsifer and is substantiated by an impressive research binder that includes notarized letters from Pulisfer's great-great grandson. The Model 1862 Police revolver is inscribed "Frank H. Pulsifer" on the back strap. It has the one line New York, U.S. America address on the top of the barrel, "COLTS/PATENT" on the left side of the frame, and the patent marking in one of the cylinder flutes. It has a small cone front sight and a smooth one piece grip. The serial number "5117" is marked on the bottom of the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and butt and places the date of manufacture in 1861. The W. H. Wilkinson & Sons Naval Officer's sword's sheath is inscribed "Frank H. Pulsifer" near the top. It and the sword have the standard designs and etching. (The corresponding notarized letter incorrectly identifies it as a Horstmann made sword.) The research file details Pulsifer's service and the documents (including a Treasury Department listing Pulsifer's service) indicate he served on board the gunboat USRC HARRIET LANE and later several other vessels including the iron clad USS NAUGATUCK (also known as the STEVENS). The HARRIET LANE was the first ship of a resupply fleet to arrive at Fort Sumter on the evening of April 11, 1861, and is considered to have fired the first naval shot of the Civil War when it engaged the NASHVILLE that evening. The vessels Pulsifer served on participated in several battles during the war including the bombardment of Fort Hatteras and the Atlantic blockade. After the destruction of Fort Hatteras, Pulsifer is said to have taken the included Model 1853 pattern British cavalry sword from the fort. The included F.S. Jung Naval cutlass is listed as having been taken from the Confederate schooner JOANNA WARD when it was captured off the Florida coast in 1862. The sword is marked "F.S. JUNG" on the left side and "*1861*" on the right on the ricasso. The New York Times from May 30. 1862 confirms the JOANNA WARD "was captured by the Harriet Lane on Feb. 24, 1862, off the port of St. Augustine." Also included is a "STEVENS" marked U.S. Navy Ames Model 1860 cutlass that Pulsifer likely acquired during his time aboard that vessel in 1863, a carved horn used as a powder measure with twisted snake designs, and a "COLTS/PATENT" double bullet mold. The Treasury document indicates that Pulsifer did not retire until 1905 and died in 1922 after what was clearly a long and eventful career.

Very good. The revolver retains traces of the original silver plating with an aged patina on the exposed brass and a brown patina on most of the other surfaces with various minor dings and light scratches. The grip is very good with more than half of the varnish remaining and some minor wear and small dings from handling and use. It is mechanically excellent with crisp markings. The officer's sword is fine overall. The blade is nice and bright with clear patterns and some spotting, and the brass components all have a nice aged patina. The two cutlasses are absent scabbards and are in good condition for Civil War weapons with well established patinas. The cavalry sword has fairly bright surfaces with speckled light pitting and a rounded point. The bullet mold is in good condition with several marks along the side, and the horn is in very good condition. This is a fantastic and fascinating grouping centered on a first year Colt Model 1862 Police with an inscription that also includes four desirable Civil War era swords, a nicely carved powder measure, and a bullet mold. Each of the main items are hard to come by, but their connection to a Civil War sailor who participated the earliest shots of the Civil War make them truly historic items.