EXCEPTIONAL AND ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN CIVIL WAR CASED MODEL 1851 COLT NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER PRESENTED TO LT. COL. JOHN C. WHITON 43RD MASS VOLS.

SN 129856. Cal. 36. You may never see a better condition Colt Navy revolver as this gun is virtually new including casing and accessories. This is a standard 4th model made at the height of the Civil War in 1862. This gun was made about the time it was “PRESENTED TO LIEUT. COL. WHITON / BY THE STAFF OF THE 43RD REGT. MASS. VOLS”. John Chadwick Whiton (1828-1905) was born in Hingham, Mass. on August 21, 1828. In April 1861, Whiton was among the first to answer his nation’s call, beginning his Civil War military service as Captain of Company A, Second Battalion, Massachusetts Volunteers – also known as the Boston Tigers. He was stationed at Fort Warren in Boston Harbor until May 21, 1861, when the battalion was relieved. Over one year later, on August 27, 1862, John began recruiting soldiers for the 43rd Massachusetts Regiment as Lt. Col., leaving Massachusetts on October 24, 1862 for North Carolina, about the time of the presentation of this revolver. During the next few months he participated in the Goldsboro expedition, fighting in the battles at Kinston, Whitehall, Springbank Bridge, Blount’s Creek, and Little Washington. John mustered out of service with the rest of his regiment on July 30, 1863. On April 28, 1864 the 58th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry left for Virginia under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel John C. Whiton. The regiment was often engaged in combat, participating in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomoy Creek, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg. John suffered a fractured rib at Bethesda Church after being hit in the side by a musket ball and was unable to fight for a brief period of time. On April 2, 1865 John was brevetted Colonel for gallant and meritorious conduct before Petersburg. Whiton must have prized this revolver as it shows little wear and is truly remarkable in nearly new condition. Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2″ oct bbl, brass pin front sight and 1-line block letter New York City address with dashes. Left side of frame has a tiny “COLTS PATENT”. Cylinder has Ormsby naval battle scene roll marking. The silver plated, large guard brass trigger guard & backstrap contain a varnished 1-pc walnut grip. This particular gun, casing and accessories were made in 1862 and as stated is in truly outstanding condition. The ’51 Navy was one of, if not the most popular side arm on the frontier and later throughout the entire Civil War. You won’t find a much better cased Colt Navy Percussion revolver better than this one. This gun retains virtually all of its orig bright blue on bbl and cyl, beautiful bright case colors, fine silver plate and perfect varnish on grips. The accompanying powder flask with panoply of arms with stars and crossed pistols is also in near new condition retaining virtually all of its orig bright finish with proper scarce “crooked neck” Navy charger. PROVENANCE: Ex-Michael Simens; The Esteemed Collection of Steve Ardia. CONDITION: Extraordinarily fine and all matching though not disassembled to check for internal numbers. Bbl retains about 99% orig bright blue finish with small scratches and nicks around wedge slot on right side. Cyl retains over 90% bright blue finish with a complete and well discerned rolled naval battle scene. All 6 original safety pins are crisp and functional. Frame, loading arm, and hammer retain virtually all of their muted case colors with strong areas of bright colors as can be seen in photos. Trigger guard retains 95% plus of its orig silver plate. Backstrap only retains traces of strong silver plate in protected areas with balance a light mustard patina with crisp presentation retained. Grips retain 95% plus of their orig bright varnish with minor blemishes and edge wear. Mechanically revolver functions properly, with a brilliant shiny bore. Mahogany casing is sound, solid, and well fit. Lining shows very light staining and soiling and worn where revolver and accessories make contact. Powder flask retains virtually all of its orig varnish and spring retains virtually all of its fire blue. L-shaped gun tool retains 95% of its bright blue. Brass bullet mold is very good. Cap tin is also fine with good green label on original paper cover, with pitting and paper reductions. Cartridge packet is fine and complete. Accompanying key is functional. 49631-17 JS (40,000-60,000) – Lot 4211

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Auction: Firearms - October 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
	4211	$0.00	EXCEPTIONAL AND ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN CIVIL WAR CASED MODEL 1851 COLT NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER PRESENTED TO LT. COL. JOHN C. WHITON 43RD MASS VOLS. SN 129856. Cal. 36. You may never see a better condition Colt Navy revolver as this gun is virtually new including casing and accessories. This is a standard 4th model made at the height of the Civil War in 1862. This gun was made about the time it was “PRESENTED TO LIEUT. COL. WHITON / BY THE STAFF OF THE 43RD REGT. MASS. VOLS”. John Chadwick Whiton (1828-1905) was born in Hingham, Mass. on August 21, 1828. In April 1861, Whiton was among the first to answer his nation’s call, beginning his Civil War military service as Captain of Company A, Second Battalion, Massachusetts Volunteers – also known as the Boston Tigers. He was stationed at Fort Warren in Boston Harbor until May 21, 1861, when the battalion was relieved. Over one year later, on August 27, 1862, John began recruiting soldiers for the 43rd Massachusetts Regiment as Lt. Col., leaving Massachusetts on October 24, 1862 for North Carolina, about the time of the presentation of this revolver. During the next few months he participated in the Goldsboro expedition, fighting in the battles at Kinston, Whitehall, Springbank Bridge, Blount’s Creek, and Little Washington. John mustered out of service with the rest of his regiment on July 30, 1863. On April 28, 1864 the 58th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry left for Virginia under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel John C. Whiton. The regiment was often engaged in combat, participating in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomoy Creek, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg. John suffered a fractured rib at Bethesda Church after being hit in the side by a musket ball and was unable to fight for a brief period of time. On April 2, 1865 John was brevetted Colonel for gallant and meritorious conduct before Petersburg. Whiton must have prized this revolver as it shows little wear and is truly remarkable in nearly new condition. Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2″ oct bbl, brass pin front sight and 1-line block letter New York City address with dashes. Left side of frame has a tiny “COLTS PATENT”. Cylinder has Ormsby naval battle scene roll marking. The silver plated, large guard brass trigger guard & backstrap contain a varnished 1-pc walnut grip. This particular gun, casing and accessories were made in 1862 and as stated is in truly outstanding condition. The ’51 Navy was one of, if not the most popular side arm on the frontier and later throughout the entire Civil War. You won’t find a much better cased Colt Navy Percussion revolver better than this one. This gun retains virtually all of its orig bright blue on bbl and cyl, beautiful bright case colors, fine silver plate and perfect varnish on grips. The accompanying powder flask with panoply of arms with stars and crossed pistols is also in near new condition retaining virtually all of its orig bright finish with proper scarce “crooked neck” Navy charger. PROVENANCE: Ex-Michael Simens; The Esteemed Collection of Steve Ardia. CONDITION: Extraordinarily fine and all matching though not disassembled to check for internal numbers. Bbl retains about 99% orig bright blue finish with small scratches and nicks around wedge slot on right side. Cyl retains over 90% bright blue finish with a complete and well discerned rolled naval battle scene. All 6 original safety pins are crisp and functional. Frame, loading arm, and hammer retain virtually all of their muted case colors with strong areas of bright colors as can be seen in photos. Trigger guard retains 95% plus of its orig silver plate. Backstrap only retains traces of strong silver plate in protected areas with balance a light mustard patina with crisp presentation retained. Grips retain 95% plus of their orig bright varnish with minor blemishes and edge wear. Mechanically revolver functions properly, with a brilliant shiny bore. Mahogany casing is sound, solid, and well fit. Lining shows very light staining and soiling and worn where revolver and accessories make contact. Powder flask retains virtually all of its orig varnish and spring retains virtually all of its fire blue. L-shaped gun tool retains 95% of its bright blue. Brass bullet mold is very good. Cap tin is also fine with good green label on original paper cover, with pitting and paper reductions. Cartridge packet is fine and complete. Accompanying key is functional. 49631-17 JS (40,000-60,000) – Lot 4211 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - October 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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EXCEPTIONAL AND ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN CIVIL WAR CASED MODEL 1851 COLT NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER PRESENTED TO LT. COL. JOHN C. WHITON 43RD MASS VOLS.