Manufactured in 1854. Both revolvers feature pin front and hammer notch rear sights, with the one-line New York address on top of the barrel, "COLTS/PATENT" on the left side of the frame, and the Texas Navy scene on the cylinder. Matching numbers are present on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap and cylinder, with a "5" stamped on the barrel lug of the "A" gun. Fitted with a pair of smooth one-piece grips, with the back strap inscribed "Saml Smiley"; notes supplied by the consignor state that Samuel Smiley is Samuel B. Smiley, an enlisted man with the 124th Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment. The regiment mustered in August of 1862 on a 9-month term, with Smiley mustering specifically on the 8th as a Private. Promptly rushed to the defense of Washington D.C., the Regiment had little time for drilling and preparation when they were called into battle at Antietam, where they acquitted themselves well. Later they would participate in General Burnside's abortive "mud march" winter campaign, and the Battle of Chancellorsville. During the campaigning, Smiley was promoted to Corporal, and eventually the unit mustered out at the end of their term in May of 1863. Corporal Smiley's exact post-war circumstances are unknown, though he is on the roll-call for the 124th's reunion in 1885. Both pistols in this lot are in a hardwood case with green felt lined interior, with a brass plaque and folding handle on top of the lid and a Colt instruction sheet on the interior of the lid. Also included with the case is an Eley Brothers cap tin, a "COLT'S/PATENT" 2-chamber bullet mold, a six-pack of Colt/Hazard combustible cartridges, two L-shaped screwdriver/nipple wrench tools, a James Dixon & Sons powder flask, and some loose bullets. The exact circumstances of when and wear Smiley received these revolvers is unknown; the sequential numbers suggest that they were ordered from the factory as a pair, and the inscription was quite professionally executed. While we do not have hard documentation of Corporal Smiley taking these revolvers into battle, Union infantrymen were known for their habit of supplementing their U.S.-issued weapons with privately purchased arms, and a brace of Colt six-shooters would be ideal tools for getting a fighting man out of a tight spot.

Very fine as professionally refurbished. The blue components show around 75% finish, with some bright edge wear and a few patches of brown patina, 60% strong colors on the casehardened parts, and 85% plus silver on the grip straps. The silver in particular shows a mixed dark patina, and a few mild dings and scuffs are present on the revolver. The barrel and cylinder markings are sharp, with the top line of the patent marking faded and the end of the retention spring broken off the wedge. The grips are very good, with a few thin age cracks, a fine aged color and attractive grain. The case is good with some mild cracking of the refinished exterior, a few contemporary patches on the original lining and mild wear and staining. Mechanically excellent.

Manufactured in 1854. Nearly identical in configuration to Item A, minus the "5" stamp on the lug.

Very fine as professionally refurbished, with 85% of the blue, 70% strong case colors, and 90% of the silver. The barrel and cylinder show a few patches of heavy spotting and brown patina, the frame and hammer are silvering around the edges, and the grip straps show a mixed dark patina with well aged brass visible at the edges. Some shallow pitting is visible overall, beneath the finish, along with some scattered handling marks. The grips are very good, with a few age cracks visible on the butt, and a well aged grain and color. Mechanically excellent. An attractive pair of Colt percussion revolvers with intriguing attribution.