RARE MEDICAL OFFICER INSCRIBED COLT MODEL 1861 NAVY REVOLVER.

RARE MEDICAL OFFICER INSCRIBED COLT MODEL 1861 NAVY REVOLVER. Cal. 36. SN 6683. Usual configuration with 7-1/2″ rnd bbl, German silver front sight, blue and case colored with silver plated brass back strap & trigger guard containing 1-piece walnut grips. The back strap is beautifully inscribed in period script engraving “Surgeon Batwell. 14th Mich. Infantry.” Accompanied by its original sword belt, buckle and holster. The buckle has the number “106” on the back and the matching numbered tab is attached to the end of the belt. All four serial number stampings on the bottom of the revolver are accompanied by a number “2”. Edward Batwell was apparently mustered into service with the 14th Michigan Infantry at Ypsilanti, MI on September 6, 1862 and was mustered out of service as a Lt. Colonel on July 18, 1865. During his term of service his unit fought in a number of major battles including Corinth, MS, Stone River, TN, Brentwood, TN, Nashville, TN, Kennesaw Mt., GA, Chattahoochee River, GA and the Battle of Atlanta. One of things that makes this revolver so rare is the fact that it is inscribed to a surgeon. Medical personnel were routinely not allowed to carry arms during the Civil War. In this way they were considered non-combatants and were treated deferentially when captured, unless they were armed. CONDITION: The revolver is very fine, all matching including the wedge with the bbl retaining 20-30% glossy bright blue and the balance flaked to a light gray patina. The rammer handle retains about 50% strong case colors in the sheltered areas. The frame retains 30-40% faded case colors with the balance having been cleaned to a silver/gray patina. The cylinder retains traces of original blue and retains about 75% Ormsby naval battle scene. All six safety pins are intact. The hammer retains bright case colors on the back edge. The back strap and trigger guard retain most of their strong original silver plate with some light edge wear. The grips are sound with a few battering nicks on the bottom and light edge wear and retain about 90% strong original varnish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore with one area of light pitting. The holster is all original, very dry and crackled with a broken tab and retains 30-40% original finish. The belt is dry rotted and extremely fragile with several breaks and separated parts. The buckle is fine. A truly rare and desirable Civil War inscribed Colt. Hamilton Collection 4-52113 JR861 (15,000-25,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2004

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
	1203	$20,700.00	RARE MEDICAL OFFICER INSCRIBED COLT MODEL 1861 NAVY REVOLVER. Cal. 36. SN 6683. Usual configuration with 7-1/2″ rnd bbl, German silver front sight, blue and case colored with silver plated brass back strap & trigger guard containing 1-piece walnut grips. The back strap is beautifully inscribed in period script engraving “Surgeon Batwell. 14th Mich. Infantry.” Accompanied by its original sword belt, buckle and holster. The buckle has the number “106” on the back and the matching numbered tab is attached to the end of the belt. All four serial number stampings on the bottom of the revolver are accompanied by a number “2”. Edward Batwell was apparently mustered into service with the 14th Michigan Infantry at Ypsilanti, MI on September 6, 1862 and was mustered out of service as a Lt. Colonel on July 18, 1865. During his term of service his unit fought in a number of major battles including Corinth, MS, Stone River, TN, Brentwood, TN, Nashville, TN, Kennesaw Mt., GA, Chattahoochee River, GA and the Battle of Atlanta. One of things that makes this revolver so rare is the fact that it is inscribed to a surgeon. Medical personnel were routinely not allowed to carry arms during the Civil War. In this way they were considered non-combatants and were treated deferentially when captured, unless they were armed. CONDITION: The revolver is very fine, all matching including the wedge with the bbl retaining 20-30% glossy bright blue and the balance flaked to a light gray patina. The rammer handle retains about 50% strong case colors in the sheltered areas. The frame retains 30-40% faded case colors with the balance having been cleaned to a silver/gray patina. The cylinder retains traces of original blue and retains about 75% Ormsby naval battle scene. All six safety pins are intact. The hammer retains bright case colors on the back edge. The back strap and trigger guard retain most of their strong original silver plate with some light edge wear. The grips are sound with a few battering nicks on the bottom and light edge wear and retain about 90% strong original varnish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore with one area of light pitting. The holster is all original, very dry and crackled with a broken tab and retains 30-40% original finish. The belt is dry rotted and extremely fragile with several breaks and separated parts. The buckle is fine. A truly rare and desirable Civil War inscribed Colt. Hamilton Collection 4-52113 JR861 (15,000-25,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2004 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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