1863 Colt M1851 Navy Major S. Russell Nevada Milita, .36 Cal. Percussion Revolver, 1724140

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According to the Colt Archives serial number database, this Colt Model 1851 Navy .36 caliber percussion revolver was manufactured in 1863. This revolver was owned & carried by Major Samuel A. Russell of the Nevada Territorial Militia, Virginia City, Nevada, and is marked S. RUSSELL on the butt frame. This revolver comes with an 80-page booklet of research materials to include a copy of Major Russell's January 6th, 1863, Commission Letter which was appointed by Orion Clemens (older brother of Samuel Clemens aka Mark Twain) who was the acting Governor/ Chief of the Militia & Secretary of the Nevada Territory during this time. The research booklet also contains a history of Samuel A. Russell to include his activity during the Comstock Lode Silver/Gold Rush and the history of Samuel Russell's family through the 1930s. The research tells the story of this revolver being stolen from William Russell, son of Samuel Russell, at his cousin's home in California in the early 1900s while he was in Alaska. The revolver was missing for 47 years when Samuel Russell's grandson, William Jr., put an ad in the Shotgun News in 1950 offing a reward for any information regarding the revolver's whereabouts. Amazingly, the revolver was returned to the family by a Littleton, Colorado, gun dealer on July 11, 1951, and includes original newspaper clippings & letters. It is also worth mentioning that Sam Clemens, aka Mark Twain, traveled to the Nevada Territory with his brother and began writing for a Virginia City newspaper. The time that he spent in Nevada spurred his writing career, and he personally he would have known the Russell family very well. This revolver comes with a brown-tooled leather holster that is period correct to the mid-1800s and is believed to be original to the gun and used by my Major Samuel A. Russell. This revolver is visible numbers matching 172410 on the frame, barrel lug, trigger guard, grip frame and correct partial 2410 on the cylinder & wedge. The cylinder is also roll-marked with the Battle of Campeche naval scene which took place on the 16th of May 1843 during the Mexican-American War. The top of the barrel is marked: ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA. COLTS PATENT is marked on the left side of the frame, along with 36 CAL on the left side of the lower strap/ E on the left side of the trigger guard and K on the grip frame. SPECS: 7.5 Octagon barrel, brass grip frame & trigger guard, German silver bead front sight, blued finish, checkered ivory grips and 6-shot cylinder. CONDITION: This revolver will have a chip on the right grip but otherwise is in nice original condition with age & bluing fade. The cylinder roll marks are all still visible, the bore is sharp/ clean with no pitting, and it appears to be in good working order with a nice three-click action and no cylinder play. This revolver also comes with the book MARK TWAIN and ORION CLEMENS. HISTORY: Designed by Samuel Colt, the Model 1851 Navy revolver was introduced in 1851 as an improved version of his earlier Paterson revolver. The name "Navy" refers to the .36 caliber, not necessarily its use by the Navy, as .44 caliber revolvers are called "Army. It played a significant role in the American Civil War and left a lasting mark on the world of firearms. It was one of Colt's most popular and successful percussion firearms known for its accuracy and reliability. The 1851 Navy is now a sought-after collectible, admired for its historical significance and craftsmanship. Famous "Navy" users of the time included Wild Bill Hickok, William Buffalo Bill Cody and John Henry "Doc" Holliday. SHIPPING - We offer free shipping anywhere within the continental US. All firearms must be sent to an FFL (or C&R if applicable) regardless of age or caliber. This includes antiques & muzzleloaders. PLEASE READ ALL TERMS BEFORE PARTICIPATING: There is no live crowd, no phone bidding, no left bids and we do not accept payment through the mail.

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This item is part of Firearms & Early Military Assets
 Friday, May 2, 2025 | 10:48 AM  Central
 
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1863 Colt M1851 Navy Major S. Russell Nevada Milita, .36 Cal. Percussion Revolver, 1724140
1863 Colt M1851 Navy Major S. Russell Nevada Milita, .36 Cal. Percussion Revolver, 1724140
Lot number: 7
Seller: Will Sullivan Auction Co.
Event: Firearms & Early Military Assets
Ends: Saturday, June 14 | 10:03 AM  Central

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