H.F. Wolcott Attributed Cased Engraved Colt 1860 Army Revolver

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  Lot #1190  (Sale Order: 191 of 674) 
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Historic Cased Factory "Vine Scroll" Engraved Colt Model 1860 Army Percussion Revolver with Ebony Grip Passed Down through the Family of Second Lieutenant Huntington F. Wolcott of the Second Massachusetts Cavalry

This stunning Colt Model 1860 Army revolver is one of only an estimated 2,000 Model 1860 Army revolvers completed in 1864 due to the Colt factory fire that February and features the stunning factory “late percussion vine scroll” engraving patterns used by Colt’s factory engravers in the latter part of the percussion era. Herbert Houze attributes the engraving of other examples in this period, including examples discussed below, to German-American engraver Georg H. Sterzing in “Colt Factory Engravers of the Nineteenth Century.” The engraving includes complex entwining floral scroll engraving inhabited by a fox head on the left above the wedge and an eagle head on the right side above the wedge along with floral bloom accents, “COLT’S/PATENT” inscribed rather than stamped on the left side of the frame, and the classic dog/wolf head motif on the hammer. The revolver also features the classic Colt combination of deep blued finish on the barrel and cylinder, casehardening on the frame as well as the loading lever and hammer, niter blued small parts, and silver plated grip frame. It is fitted with an extremely scarce factory ebony grip. The barrel has a German silver blade front sight and is marked with “-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-“ on top. The cylinder features the classic Naval Battle of Campeche roll scene. The left side of the trigger guard has the “44 CAL” marking. The factory “I.E.” marking designating special grips and engraving is marked above or below the serial numbers on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. All of the visible serial numbers match. It comes in a mahogany presentation case with dark green velvet lining, an Eley Bros. cap tin, Colt’s patent powder flask with a stand of arms design on one side and slanted charger, blued “44 H” marked ball/bullet mold, L-shaped combination tool, key, and several lead balls and bullets.The revolver is part of a historic group of several deluxe revolvers manufactured in 1864 that feature the classic late percussion vine scroll engraving and ebony grips. The best known of the special 1864 series was the revolver believed to have been presented to Ulysses S. Grant (151718). On pages 286-288 of "The Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver" by Charles W. Pate, the author provides details on the 2,000 1864 produced Model 1860 Army revolvers. He indicates 250 were "special in some way by the time they were eventually sold." That means 12.5% of the Model 1860 Army revolvers that year wear embellished. Given the limited production of revolvers that year, the factory likely wanted to make sure they had some on hand when needed, but it is also clear they were experimenting with different deluxe options given the shift in engraving style and use of ebony grips. Pate also notes, "The completion of six NMA revolvers in 1864 was recorded in Colt's financial ledgers. One pair was charged to the Presentation Account along with four individual pistols, two of which were also charged to that account. The other two revolvers were also presentations, but they were paid for by Mr. Jarvis. To the author's knowledge, none of these pistols have been found." Six revolvers from 1864 with the "IE" or "I.E." markings are noted in his survey of 153 revolvers in the 146000-154000 range, and he indicates they were all engraved and two had ebony grips. The consecutive pair 151388 and 151389 just following this revolver are pictured on page 262 of "The Colt Engraving Book Volume 1" by R.L. Wilson and page 99 of "Colt Factory Engravers of the Nineteenth Century" by Houze and were contributed by Secretary Thomas J. Fales for fundraising for a soldiers' home in Hartford in 1865 and were awarded to Major General Joseph R. Hawley of Connecticut. The nearly consecutive 151387 is also known and was inscribed to Major George W. Bruen of the 10th Army Corps and has the same style of engraving and an ebony grip (sold by RIAC on September 11, 2021). Given this, it is highly likely that 151386 was also part of this group of factory engraved revolvers with ebony grips.As with the other known examples, this revolver was owned by an officer in the Civil War. It was passed down through the influential Wolcott family of Massachusetts until 2000. The family's records indicate the revolver and the accompanying sash belonged to Second Lieutenant Huntington Frothingham Wolcott (1846-1865). This identification is documented in an included copy of a bill of sale from Susan Wolcott Dexter (1929-2015), a descendant of Wolcott's younger brother, and also in “Family Jottings” by Lt. Wolcott’s nephew,
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This item is part of Premier Firearms Auction - Day 2
 Saturday, May 18, 2024 | 9:00 AM  Central
 
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H.F. Wolcott Attributed Cased Engraved Colt 1860 Army Revolver
H.F. Wolcott Attributed Cased Engraved Colt 1860 Army Revolver
Lot number: 1190
Seller: Rock Island Auction Company
Event: Premier Firearms Auction - Day 2
Ends: Saturday, May 18 | 9:00 AM  Central

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