INSCRIBED COLT MODEL 1894 DA REVOLVER.

INSCRIBED COLT MODEL 1894 DA REVOLVER. SN 98893. Cal. 41 Colt. Blue finish with 6″ bbl, half-moon front sight and “MAR.5.95.” being the last patent date in the bbl address. Left side of the bbl has a caliber marking & left rear edge of the frame has the rampant Colt in a circle. It is fitted with fine smooth pearl grips that have a large repair on the right side. The back strap is engraved in period script “Lieut. J. W. Smith. 2nd Regt. U.S.V. / from N. O. Stenographers Assn., July 1898”. Lieut. Smith enlisted in the 2nd Regt. U.S. Volunteers as a private June 1898 and was almost immediately promoted to Sgt. and on 6 July 1898 promoted to Lieut. The 2nd Regt. USV Infantry was mustered into service 15 June 1898 and sailed for New Orleans on 28 July 1898, arriving at Santiago, Cuba, on 5 August 1898. By that time the war was over and the regiment was pressed into occupation and counter-guerilla duties. The regiment departed Cuba May 1899 and was mustered out of service in June 1899. On 8 Nov. 1898 Lt. Smith was detached from his unit to serve as Collector of Customs at the port city of Gibara, Cuba, on 8 Nov. 1898 and stayed behind when his unit departed for the U.S. On 22 June 1899 he was discharged and the next day appointed Deputy Director of Customs at Gibara, a civilian appointment made by the President. In January 1900 Lt. Smith was shot by the editor of a local Cuban newspaper and succumbed to his wounds several days later. His remains and possessions were eventually returned to his family in Rock Falls, IL, where he is buried. There is a large volume of material including newspaper clippings and copies of letters of condolence from military commanders in Cuba discussing Lt. Smith’s demise. Additionally accompanied by a Colt Factory letter identifying this revolver with 6″ bbl, blue finish, rubber stocks, shipped to Simmons Hardware Co., St. Louis, MO on May 3, 1898 in a shipment of 20 same type firearms. Also accompanied by a 1918 dated military New Service brown leather holster. CONDITION: Fine. Overall retains about 85-88% orig blue, strong in the sheltered areas with blue/gray grip straps. Grips have chipped heels and some fine chips along the left side of the back strap & the aforementioned repair, otherwise are fine with good fire and color. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. Holster is sound & retains about 90% orig brown finish with some slight flexing. 4-35442 (6,000-7,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2008

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
	1208	$0.00	INSCRIBED COLT MODEL 1894 DA REVOLVER. SN 98893. Cal. 41 Colt. Blue finish with 6″ bbl, half-moon front sight and “MAR.5.95.” being the last patent date in the bbl address. Left side of the bbl has a caliber marking & left rear edge of the frame has the rampant Colt in a circle. It is fitted with fine smooth pearl grips that have a large repair on the right side. The back strap is engraved in period script “Lieut. J. W. Smith. 2nd Regt. U.S.V. / from N. O. Stenographers Assn., July 1898”. Lieut. Smith enlisted in the 2nd Regt. U.S. Volunteers as a private June 1898 and was almost immediately promoted to Sgt. and on 6 July 1898 promoted to Lieut. The 2nd Regt. USV Infantry was mustered into service 15 June 1898 and sailed for New Orleans on 28 July 1898, arriving at Santiago, Cuba, on 5 August 1898. By that time the war was over and the regiment was pressed into occupation and counter-guerilla duties. The regiment departed Cuba May 1899 and was mustered out of service in June 1899. On 8 Nov. 1898 Lt. Smith was detached from his unit to serve as Collector of Customs at the port city of Gibara, Cuba, on 8 Nov. 1898 and stayed behind when his unit departed for the U.S. On 22 June 1899 he was discharged and the next day appointed Deputy Director of Customs at Gibara, a civilian appointment made by the President. In January 1900 Lt. Smith was shot by the editor of a local Cuban newspaper and succumbed to his wounds several days later. His remains and possessions were eventually returned to his family in Rock Falls, IL, where he is buried. There is a large volume of material including newspaper clippings and copies of letters of condolence from military commanders in Cuba discussing Lt. Smith’s demise. Additionally accompanied by a Colt Factory letter identifying this revolver with 6″ bbl, blue finish, rubber stocks, shipped to Simmons Hardware Co., St. Louis, MO on May 3, 1898 in a shipment of 20 same type firearms. Also accompanied by a 1918 dated military New Service brown leather holster. CONDITION: Fine. Overall retains about 85-88% orig blue, strong in the sheltered areas with blue/gray grip straps. Grips have chipped heels and some fine chips along the left side of the back strap & the aforementioned repair, otherwise are fine with good fire and color. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. Holster is sound & retains about 90% orig brown finish with some slight flexing. 4-35442 (6,000-7,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2008 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.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}