RARE AND EXTREMELY FINE COLT CIVILIAN MODEL 1860 ARMY PERCUSSION REVOLVER WITH MATCHING SHOULDER STOCK INSCRIBED TO SAMUEL BOWLES FOR USE DURING HIS REMARKABLE 1865 JOURNEY TO THE WEST.

SN 151313. Cal. 44. Blue & color case hardened with 8″ rnd bbl, German silver front sight and 1-line New-York U.S. America address. Left side of frame is marked “COLTS PATENT” and left shoulder of trigger guard is marked “44 CAL”. It has usual 6-shot rebated cyl with Ormsby Naval Battle scene roll marking and all 6 crisp safety pins are present. Frame is 4-screw type cut for shoulder stock with proper long flat head hammer screw and a stock dimple in butt strap. 4- screw frames utilized in this late serial range are quite rare and few examples are known and several famous examples in this serial range including the “Eustace Barron” which is pictured in Wilson & Sutherland’s The Book of Colt Firearms. The silver plated brass trigger guard & blued steel back strap contain a varnished 1-pc walnut grip serial numbered to this revolver. SNs were observed on bbl lug, frame, trigger guard & butt strap with the last five digits of SN on wedge and last four digits on cyl & cyl spindle. The SN on frame, trigger guard & backstrap are accompanied by a small “S”, indicating that the frame was to be cut for shoulder stock. Pistol back strap and stock frontstrap are engraved in Colt factory style script “SAML BOWLS / SPRINGFIELD MASS”. Accompanied by matching orig Colt 1860 Army stock with brass yoke & buttplate bearing the SN “151313” on the yoke and “128032” on buttplate followed by small “S”. Last three digits of SN, “313”, are inked under the buttstock lower tang. Though the SN on buttplate is not matching; this seems to be a factory trend. Note that on these same floors lot 2132, October 2011, a similar stock SN 150722 on yoke and 128033 on butt which was accompanied by reference from noted Colt authority, collector & dealer, the late Alan S. Kelley wherein Colt stocks with mismatched numbers, “This discrepancy common on shoulder stocks of the period.”. Stock has a beautiful bright varnish finish with a lanyard stud & ring in bottom tang. It would be difficult to upgrade this particular example as it retains most all of its bright orig finish and appears unfired plus it has stellar collection history. Samuel Bowles was an editor publisher in Springfield, Massachusetts printing influential newspapers and journals throughout his lifetime. There are several books written on his life containing many of his numerous articles and journal entries. There is a 500 pg volume Across The Continent published in 1865 transcribed from his journals and letters of a summer journey he made starting in Atchison, Kansas in May 1865 transversing the West with specific study of the Mormons, including meetings with Brigham Young and other church elders, views on polygamy, interviews with Mormon wives, etc. This trip Mr. Bowles party was led by Schuyler Colfax, Speaker of the House of Representatives, was initially set to visit the mining regions of Colorado, Nevada, and California, though it seems most of the time was in study of the Mormon culture, people, topography of Salt Lake area, etc. This amazing book, which an orig 1st edition accompanies this lot, was annotated and edited from Bowles’ letters, diaries and journals that reads quite-like an adventure that could make a good plot for a movie today. Bowles’ party had access to the best railroads, and coach service, so crossing America was much easier now after the Civil War no wonder so many soldiers went West. Though every comfort would be afforded, this group of travelers, with important politicians and other journalists, Bowles does mention “There are rifles and revolvers for Indians and game…with the news that (Overland Stage) had been attacked by the Indians..halfway to Fort Kearney. It is the first raid of red-skins this season…” This particular Colt, based on SN, was made in late 1864, just in time for this journey. I see little doubt that this weapon was purchased with this trip in mind, though based on its near new condition it probably wouldn’t have left its box. PROVENANCE: Samuel Bowles, 1865; Family of a Boston Judge; Robert Tompkins, Sheffield, Mass, 1951; Herb Glass Sr., Bullville, NY; Gerald Fox; Herbert Green, 1955; Al Kelly; The Esteemed Collection of Steve Ardia. CONDITION: Extremely fine, all matching including wedge, cyl, grips & shoulder stock with noted known discrepancy on Colt buttplates. Bbl retains about 99% strong glossy orig factory blue with light muzzle edge wear and a few scattered scratches and two about 1″ thin scuffs, one on right side of bbl just rear of latch and the other on left side of bbl just forward of wedge. Rammer & handle retain most of their orig case colors with balance, especially forward on arm, silver/gray. Frame & hammer retain brilliant case colors on sides with recoil shields turning dark. Cyl retains 97-98% strong bright blue overall with thinning in rebated area. Virtually all of the rolled Ormsby Naval battle scene is crisp and discernible. Chambers are crisp & clean with thin orig blue. Trigger guard retains about 80% of silver plating with reductions being on grip strap where held, which is mixed silver and a light brass patina. Back strap & butt strap retain about 98% glossy orig blue. Grip is sound and well fit, retaining virtually all orig varnish except where in contact with yoke, which has indented an area on each side of grip about 1″ wide where there is no finish and slight reduction of surface. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with lots of orig blue. Stock yoke retains 95% plus orig silver plating with one large reduction on right yoke where it abuts gun and several other small freckles of missing finish. Buttplate retains about 80% orig silver finish with reductions at bottom. Stock has a few scattered very light blemishes and retains virtually all of its brilliant orig varnish, a superb specimen. 49631-23 JS (40,000-50,000) – Lot 2130

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Auction: Firearms - March 2016

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2130	$0.00	RARE AND EXTREMELY FINE COLT CIVILIAN MODEL 1860 ARMY PERCUSSION REVOLVER WITH MATCHING SHOULDER STOCK INSCRIBED TO SAMUEL BOWLES FOR USE DURING HIS REMARKABLE 1865 JOURNEY TO THE WEST. SN 151313. Cal. 44. Blue & color case hardened with 8″ rnd bbl, German silver front sight and 1-line New-York U.S. America address. Left side of frame is marked “COLTS PATENT” and left shoulder of trigger guard is marked “44 CAL”. It has usual 6-shot rebated cyl with Ormsby Naval Battle scene roll marking and all 6 crisp safety pins are present. Frame is 4-screw type cut for shoulder stock with proper long flat head hammer screw and a stock dimple in butt strap. 4- screw frames utilized in this late serial range are quite rare and few examples are known and several famous examples in this serial range including the “Eustace Barron” which is pictured in Wilson & Sutherland’s The Book of Colt Firearms. The silver plated brass trigger guard & blued steel back strap contain a varnished 1-pc walnut grip serial numbered to this revolver. SNs were observed on bbl lug, frame, trigger guard & butt strap with the last five digits of SN on wedge and last four digits on cyl & cyl spindle. The SN on frame, trigger guard & backstrap are accompanied by a small “S”, indicating that the frame was to be cut for shoulder stock. Pistol back strap and stock frontstrap are engraved in Colt factory style script “SAML BOWLS / SPRINGFIELD MASS”. Accompanied by matching orig Colt 1860 Army stock with brass yoke & buttplate bearing the SN “151313” on the yoke and “128032” on buttplate followed by small “S”. Last three digits of SN, “313”, are inked under the buttstock lower tang. Though the SN on buttplate is not matching; this seems to be a factory trend. Note that on these same floors lot 2132, October 2011, a similar stock SN 150722 on yoke and 128033 on butt which was accompanied by reference from noted Colt authority, collector & dealer, the late Alan S. Kelley wherein Colt stocks with mismatched numbers, “This discrepancy common on shoulder stocks of the period.”. Stock has a beautiful bright varnish finish with a lanyard stud & ring in bottom tang. It would be difficult to upgrade this particular example as it retains most all of its bright orig finish and appears unfired plus it has stellar collection history. Samuel Bowles was an editor publisher in Springfield, Massachusetts printing influential newspapers and journals throughout his lifetime. There are several books written on his life containing many of his numerous articles and journal entries. There is a 500 pg volume Across The Continent published in 1865 transcribed from his journals and letters of a summer journey he made starting in Atchison, Kansas in May 1865 transversing the West with specific study of the Mormons, including meetings with Brigham Young and other church elders, views on polygamy, interviews with Mormon wives, etc. This trip Mr. Bowles party was led by Schuyler Colfax, Speaker of the House of Representatives, was initially set to visit the mining regions of Colorado, Nevada, and California, though it seems most of the time was in study of the Mormon culture, people, topography of Salt Lake area, etc. This amazing book, which an orig 1st edition accompanies this lot, was annotated and edited from Bowles’ letters, diaries and journals that reads quite-like an adventure that could make a good plot for a movie today. Bowles’ party had access to the best railroads, and coach service, so crossing America was much easier now after the Civil War no wonder so many soldiers went West. Though every comfort would be afforded, this group of travelers, with important politicians and other journalists, Bowles does mention “There are rifles and revolvers for Indians and game…with the news that (Overland Stage) had been attacked by the Indians..halfway to Fort Kearney. It is the first raid of red-skins this season…” This particular Colt, based on SN, was made in late 1864, just in time for this journey. I see little doubt that this weapon was purchased with this trip in mind, though based on its near new condition it probably wouldn’t have left its box. PROVENANCE: Samuel Bowles, 1865; Family of a Boston Judge; Robert Tompkins, Sheffield, Mass, 1951; Herb Glass Sr., Bullville, NY; Gerald Fox; Herbert Green, 1955; Al Kelly; The Esteemed Collection of Steve Ardia. CONDITION: Extremely fine, all matching including wedge, cyl, grips & shoulder stock with noted known discrepancy on Colt buttplates. Bbl retains about 99% strong glossy orig factory blue with light muzzle edge wear and a few scattered scratches and two about 1″ thin scuffs, one on right side of bbl just rear of latch and the other on left side of bbl just forward of wedge. Rammer & handle retain most of their orig case colors with balance, especially forward on arm, silver/gray. Frame & hammer retain brilliant case colors on sides with recoil shields turning dark. Cyl retains 97-98% strong bright blue overall with thinning in rebated area. Virtually all of the rolled Ormsby Naval battle scene is crisp and discernible. Chambers are crisp & clean with thin orig blue. Trigger guard retains about 80% of silver plating with reductions being on grip strap where held, which is mixed silver and a light brass patina. Back strap & butt strap retain about 98% glossy orig blue. Grip is sound and well fit, retaining virtually all orig varnish except where in contact with yoke, which has indented an area on each side of grip about 1″ wide where there is no finish and slight reduction of surface. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with lots of orig blue. Stock yoke retains 95% plus orig silver plating with one large reduction on right yoke where it abuts gun and several other small freckles of missing finish. Buttplate retains about 80% orig silver finish with reductions at bottom. Stock has a few scattered very light blemishes and retains virtually all of its brilliant orig varnish, a superb specimen. 49631-23 JS (40,000-50,000) – Lot 2130 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - March 2016 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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RARE AND EXTREMELY FINE COLT CIVILIAN MODEL 1860 ARMY PERCUSSION REVOLVER WITH MATCHING SHOULDER STOCK INSCRIBED TO SAMUEL BOWLES FOR USE DURING HIS REMARKABLE 1865 JOURNEY TO THE WEST.