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  • /Lot 1218

Lot 1218:Colt 1851 Revolver 36 percussion

April 30th, 2016|Rock Island, IL
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  • /Lot 1218

Lot 1218:Colt 1851 Revolver 36 percussion

April 30th, 2016|Rock Island, IL
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Estimated Price$6,000 - $10,000
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Cased Colt London Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver Inscribed to Confederate States of America 5th Virginia Infantry Surgeon Captain Harvey Black One of Four Doctors Present at General Stonewall Jackson's Amputation Surgery

This Colt London Model 1851 Navy revolver was manufactured in 1855 and is inscribed to 5th Virginia Infantry Surgeon Captain Harvey Black. The left side of the grip has a brass plaque which is inscribed to Captain Black: "Capt/H. Black/5th Regt/Vir Vols." Dr. Black was one of four doctors present during the amputation of General Stonewall Jackson's arm. Dr. Black monitored the General's heart while Dr. Hunter Holmes McGuire performed the amputation, Dr. Coleman administered chloroform, and Dr. J. William Walls tied the arteries. Gen. Jackson and his staff were mistaken as an Union cavalry force and fired upon by members of the 18th North Carolina Infantry regiment. Gen. Jackson was wounded, and due to his injuries, the general's left arm had to be amputated. Gen. Jackson died of complications from pneumonia a few days later. The revolver has the distinctive London Navy steel back strap and large oval trigger guard, bordered knurling on the hammer spur, and rounded screw heads. The top of the barrel is roll-engraved "-ADDRESS COL. COLT LONDON-". The cylinder is roll-engraved with the naval battle scene. "COLTS/PATENT" is roll-stamped on the left side of the frame in two lines. A large "CSA" is stamped on the right side of the barrel. London proof and inspection marks are stamped on the left side of the barrel lug ahead of the wedge slot and on each cylinder chamber. The full serial number is stamped on the bottom of the loading lever, barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder pin and on the side of the cylinder with the barrel wedge having the correct partial number "802". It is fitted with smooth grips. The partitioned case is lined in brown velvet and has a paper "GALT" retailer label on the inside of the lid. The case holds the following accessories: lead rounds, oiler, case key, two cavity Colt's patent marked bullet mold, combination tool, powder flask and percussion cap tin. With the revolver is a book of Civil War letter written by Dr. Harvey Black. After the Civil War, Dr. Black became the superintendent of Eastern Lunatic Asylum in Williamsburg, Virginia and remained a staunch advocate for mental heath until is death at the age of 61 in 1888.

ConditionVery good as partially refinished (cylinder). The revolver has a smooth brown-gray patina with limited traces of original blue finish and case colors in the protected areas. Most of the battered, rebrowned cylinder scene remains. The dovetailed front sight is a replacement. The grip is very fine with some minor handling marks. Mechanically fine. The refinished case is good with overall minor handling/storage markings, a loose partition wall and high spot wear to the lining.
Details
ManufacturerColt
Model1851
TypeRevolver
Serial number
ClassAntique
Caliber / Gauge36 percussion
Barrel7 1/2 inch octagon
Finishblue/casehardened
Gripwalnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views2925
Catalog page106
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