Page 106 - Auction84-Book2

LOT 1237
Rare Silver Plated Colt Model 1860
Army Fluted Cylinder Percussion Revolver with Highly Desirable
Matching Shoulder Stock and Charles Pate Letter - Serial no. 1103, 44 cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., silver finish, varnished walnut grips. This rare revolver was manufactured in 1860, the first year of production, and is one of only about 4,000 Colt Model 1860 Army Revolvers manufactured with the 7 1/2 inch barrel, full
fluted cylinder and the “-ADDRESS SAML COLT HARTFORD CT.-” barrel marking. Some of these early Colt Model 1860 revolvers with fluted cylinders were among the approximatively
2,230 sold to southern dealers and were used by Confederate soldiers. These revolvers appear in the first 8,000 serial numbers and have “four-screw” (actually five screw) frames cut for shoulder
stocks. It also has a German silver blade front sight, “COLTS/PATENT” frame marking, “PATENTED SEPT 10th 1850” in one cylinder flute and matching numbers on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder,
wedge (“103”), and arbor pin. Both 7 1/2 inch and 8 inch barrels were manufactured for the fluted cylinder variation. Generally, the 7 1/2 inch barrel was part of the early production run of the fluted cylinder
Model 1860 revolvers. The revolver is fully plated in silver. The left side of the grip is carved “PD/to/CS.” The highly desirable stock is numbered to the gun with the correct serial number “1103” stamped on the
lower tang and buttplate. Although the Ordnance Department purchased a significant quantity of Model 1860 Army revolvers with attachable shoulder stocks early in the Civil War, attachable shoulder stocks
are rare. When these rare stocks are encountered they are generally not correctly numbered to the gun. The lower tang also has the number “14” stamped behind the saddle ring. The attaching hardware and
buttplate are nickel plated. Colt Model 1860 expert and author Charles Pate examined the Colt records for information pertaining to this Model 1860 no. 1103 with matching shoulder stock. His conclusions were
recorded in an included September 2021 letter. Mr. Pate found that the factory ledger entry for the box containing this revolver contained only five pistols, which is unusual as boxes commonly contained fifty
pistols, and this box of five was shipped by express to Colt’s New York Agency on January 16, 1861. Mr. Pate notes, “In mid-January 1861 Sam Colt’s health was deteriorating, but he was well enough to visit New
York City, ostensibly on a shopping trip with his wife, but he certainly would have spent a good bit of time conferring with William Hartley, his manager of the New York Agency...The capable and dependable
William Hartley was entrusted with the important mission of representing Colt in Washington, which included making several marketing calls upon influential people and presenting pistols to many of them.” Mr.
Pate suspected that this pistol was one of the five pistols Hartley used for demonstration purposes during his stay in Washington. “We can only speculate about their subsequent disposition for, unfortunately,”
continued Mr. Pate, “none of Mr. Hartley’s records have survived except a few of his letters to the factory.”
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 80% of the possibly period retailer applied silver plating with a smooth brown patina on the balance. The grip is also fine with typical stock mounting impressions, high edge wear,
dings and scratches. The stock is very good with 97% of the period nickel plating remaining, a couple stress cracks where the extension meet the yoke and minor dings and scratches on the revarnished walnut. Mechanically excellent. An exceptionally rare early production 1860 Army with a 7 1/2” barrel, fluted cylinder and matching shoulder stock, possibly a special finish private presentation by Sam Colt.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 1238
Historic Civil War Era Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver Inscribed to Pennsylvania Cavalry Officer Thomas
Fassett with Factory Letter - Serial no. 119530, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips.
This Civil War era Colt Model 1851 Revolver is inscribed to Civil War Pennsylvania cavalry officer Thomas Fassett, brother of Battle of Gettysburg
Medal of Honor recipient John Fassett. The accompanying factory letter confirms the 7 1⁄2 inch barrel in .36 caliber, blue finish and wood stocks.
The letter also states that the revolver was shipped to J.C. Grubb & Co. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 28, 1862. This shipment
contained 50 guns. It is rare to encounter a Model 1851 that will factory letter. The top barrel flat has the one-line New York address, the left
side of the frame is marked “COLTS/PATENT,” and traces of the naval scene remain on the cylinder. Matching full or partial serial numbers are
on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, loading lever, wedge, and arbor pin. The back strap is inscribed “Thomas Fassett.
Phila Pa.” Documentation includes the aforementioned Colt factory letter and copies of records, such as a reprinted photograph of 2nd
Lieutenant Thomas Fassett, discharge papers, pension records, family summary and unit history, the consignor states were obtained from
the Fassett family. Thomas’ brother John Fassett was awarded the Medal of Honor for action taken on July 2, 1863 while serving with the 23rd
Pennsylvania Infantry during the Battle of Gettysburg. As for Thomas he was a member of the 2nd Pennsylvania Cavalry, who had a short lived
military career. After entering service on July 27, 1862, his unit was assigned to Catlett Station, Virginia, where it was attacked by Confederate
General Jeb Stuart’s Cavalry. This highly successful and pivotal Confederate raid took place on August 22, 1862 against Union troops commanded
by General John Pope and began on what Stuart referred to as the “darkest night I ever knew.” The purpose of the raid was to disrupt the Union rail
supply lines. Stuart’s forces destroyed the Union encampment at Catlett as well as captured supplies and nearly 300 Union troops. A thunderstorm
saved a railroad bridge from being burned. The biggest prize for the Confederates was the capture of Pope’s orders containing vital information that,
when given to General Robert E. Lee, played a key role in the South’s victory at the Battle of Second Manassas or the Second Battle of Bull Run (August 29-30, 1862). The Union defeat cost Pope his command as he was relieved of duty and reassigned to the Department of the Northwest in Minnesota. During Stuart’s raid horses stampeded, and as a result from the disorder, Fassett sustained a disabling rupture. He was discharged on September 11, 1862, and was awarded a disability pension. The injury must have been severe because, as shown in the included documentation, he was incapable of work, and after his passing, benefits were awarded to his widow.
CONDITION: Very good as a Civil War revolver inscribed to and carried by Pennsylvania cavalry officer Thomas Fasset. The iron surfaces a mottled gray
patina. The brass has an attractive appearance. The inscription is crisp. The grip is very fine with some minor dings and scratches and some high edge wear.
Mechanically fine. A Civil War Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver inscribed to an identified Pennsylvania cavalry officer that will make a great addition to your Civil
War collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
DAMAGE AT CATLETT STATION
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