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LOT 3145
Historic Civil War Factory Engraved Bacon Mfg. Co. First Model Pocket
Percussion Revolver
with Patriotic Silver Grips Inscribed to
Harrison E. Bacon “From
his Loving Father,” Gunmaker Thomas K. Bacon, in 1862 as He Prepared to Head to War - Serial no. 39, 31 cal., 4 inch octagon bbl., silver finish, metal grips.
For collectors of the arms of Thomas K. Bacon, it can’t get much better than this. This incredible Civil War revolver has “Harrison E Bacon” inscribed on the right grip and “From
his Loving Father/August 1, 1862” inscribed down the back strap. No documentation on the
identity of Harrison E. Bacon was included, but his identity has been identified: he was Private Harrison E. Bacon (1836-1889), son of Thomas K. Bacon
(1813-1873) of the Bacon Mfg. Co., who enlisted in Company C of the 18th Regiment of Connecticut Infantry on August 1, 1862. The barrel has “BACON MFG. CO. NORWICH. CONN.” Factory scroll engraving is featured on the sides of the barrel and frame. The cylinder has the oval hunting themed scenes, and the
revolver has matching serial numbers on various components. The silver plated grips have an eagle, patriotic shield, and flags on the left, scroll borders, and an escutcheon on the right. The 18th Regiment was organized in Norwich in August 1862 before heading to Baltimore and mainly served in the Department of West Virginia. Much of the regiment was captured on June 15, 1863, at the Second Battle of Winchester, paroled July 2, and finally exchanged on October 1, 1863. They regrouped and engaged in further action against the Confederacy, including at the Battle of New Market, Battle of Piedmont, and Second Battle of Kernstown. They lost 152 men during the war, including four officers and sixty-seven enlisted men either killed
or mortally wounded. Little about Bacon’s life following the war is known other than that he appears to have returned to Norwich and was buried there. He was married to Elizabeth A. Bidwell Bacon (1830-1902), and they appear to have had no children. Thomas Bacon was a former machinist for Allen & Thurber who was a key figure in multiple arms companies in Norwish during his lifetime, including Bacon & Company, Bacon Manufacturing Company, and Bacon Arms Company. Little is known about him after he sold his interest in the latter in 1865. The company continued to manufacture revolvers until 1888.
CONDITION: Very fine. 85% plus of the period replated silver plating remains with some minor flaking mainly at the muzzle, light pitting under the plating on cylinder, and with a mellow aged patina overall. The engraving, inscription, and markings remain distinct. The grips are also very fine and retain an attractive aged patina on the silver and have minor edge wear. Mechanically fine. This is certainly among the most historic of all Bacon firearms: a revolver presented by the founder to his son as he prepared to leave for war. Imagine if Samuel Colt had given one of his sons a revolver during the Civil War the day they enlisted. It would be worth a fortune today! As Thomas K. Bacon gave his son this beautiful revolver, he no doubt feared his son would never come home, but Private Harrison E. Bacon and the Union survived the war, and this revolver has survived to the present.
Provenance: The Richard P. Mellon Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3146
Exceptional, Documented Cooper Navy
Model Double Action Percussion Revolver
- Serial no. 5641, 36 cal., 6 inch octagon bbl., blue/
casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. These revolvers
were manufactured after James Maslin Cooper moved from Pittsburgh
to Philadelphia in 1864 until around 1869. This example is pictured and
identified in R.L. Wilson’s “American Arms Collectors: The Percussion Colts
and Their Rivals, The Al Cali Collection” on page 115. It has a low brass post
front sight, “COOPER FIRE ARMS MFG. CO. FRANKFORD PHILA. PA./PAT. JAN.
7, 1851 APR 25, 1854 SEP. 4, 1860/SEP 1, 1863 SEP. 22, 1863” on the top barrel
flat, matching serial numbers on the butt, loading lever, barrel, and cylinder,
numbered in the Second Model range with the 3/16 inch longer cylinder, and
silver plated brass grip straps.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The barrel and cylinder retain 80% plus bright
original high polished blue finish with a smooth brown patina on the balance.
75% original case colors remain on the loading lever and hammer. 80% plus
vivid original case colors remain on the frame. Strong traces of original silver
plating remains around the trigger and on the trigger guard, otherwise the
brass has an attractive mellow appearance. The grip is fine with some high edge wear and some minor dings. Mechanically excellent. A high condition, well published Cooper Navy that has been in several notable collections and it would be very difficult to find a better example with the most desirable longest barrel produced. Provenance: The Chris Anderson Collection and Al Cali Collection.
Estimate: 5,500 - 7,500
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK PERCUSSION COLTS AND THEIR RIVALS BY WILSON
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