IDENTIFIED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH INSCRIBED GRIP “COL. CHAS. S. RICHE / C.E.S. & A.A.D. / MAY 20TH, 1898”.

SN 160499. Cal. 45 Colt. Nickel finish with 5-1/2″ bbl, full front sight & 1-line block letter address with caliber marking on left side. Left side of frame has 2-line 3 patent dates & Rampant Colt in a circle. Mounted with 2-pc pearl grips with the left side lightly engraved with a bull elk head & inscribed “Col. Chas. S. Riche / C.E.S. & A.A.D. / May 20th 1898”. Accompanied by copies of pp. 169-172 of the Annual Report, June 11, 1926 of what is probably from the U.S. Military Academy, but is not identified. It lists Charles Swift Riche as a graduate of the class of 1886. Col. Riche was born July 19, 1864, graduated US Military Academy July 1882, number three in his class. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers where he served variously in Galveston and the Upper Midwest building canals, levees and fortifications. In 1896 he was in charge of the defenses of New Orleans, constructing fortifications. From June 1897 – July 1903 he was the assistant to the District Engineer in Galveston, then in charge of the district except when he was appointed Colonel commanding 1st U.S. Volunteer Infantry, May 20, 1898. This date corresponds with the date on the grip. He was mustered out on Oct. 28, 1898 and commissioned back into the army as a Captain and back to Galveston. He continued with the Corps of Engineers at various stations, alternating between Texas and the Upper Midwest. From July 1918 to January 1921 he was assigned as Chief Engineering Officer constructing fortifications in Panama. He retired in Jan. 1921 and died March 20, 1926. This revolver was presented to Col. Riche when he was in command of the 1st Volunteer Infantry. Although Col. Riche was a commander of the 1st Volunteer Infantry from May to Sept. 1898, they never left the United States, simply being shipped from Galveston to New Orleans in May and back to Galveston in Sept. where they were mustered out. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Fine. Bbl retains 80-90% strong original nickel; ejector housing retains about 95% original nickel with 3 or 4 small dings on the outer radius; frame retains about 85% original nickel with the loss areas mostly on the recoil shield and loading gate with some fine flaking elsewhere; cylinder retains 75-80% original nickel. Grip frame retains about 90% orig nickel with a spot of pitting on the back strap; screws are all fine and retain most of their orig fire blue, turned a little dark; right grip has a couple of small chips at the heel and both grips have spotty rust staining which correspond to spots and areas of rust on the grip frame; both grips have a hairline from the screw escutcheon. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with moderate pitting. 4-50656 JR227 (7,500-12,500) – Lot 1219

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014

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
	1219	$6,900.00	IDENTIFIED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH INSCRIBED GRIP “COL. CHAS. S. RICHE / C.E.S. & A.A.D. / MAY 20TH, 1898”. SN 160499. Cal. 45 Colt. Nickel finish with 5-1/2″ bbl, full front sight & 1-line block letter address with caliber marking on left side. Left side of frame has 2-line 3 patent dates & Rampant Colt in a circle. Mounted with 2-pc pearl grips with the left side lightly engraved with a bull elk head & inscribed “Col. Chas. S. Riche / C.E.S. & A.A.D. / May 20th 1898”. Accompanied by copies of pp. 169-172 of the Annual Report, June 11, 1926 of what is probably from the U.S. Military Academy, but is not identified. It lists Charles Swift Riche as a graduate of the class of 1886. Col. Riche was born July 19, 1864, graduated US Military Academy July 1882, number three in his class. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers where he served variously in Galveston and the Upper Midwest building canals, levees and fortifications. In 1896 he was in charge of the defenses of New Orleans, constructing fortifications. From June 1897 – July 1903 he was the assistant to the District Engineer in Galveston, then in charge of the district except when he was appointed Colonel commanding 1st U.S. Volunteer Infantry, May 20, 1898. This date corresponds with the date on the grip. He was mustered out on Oct. 28, 1898 and commissioned back into the army as a Captain and back to Galveston. He continued with the Corps of Engineers at various stations, alternating between Texas and the Upper Midwest. From July 1918 to January 1921 he was assigned as Chief Engineering Officer constructing fortifications in Panama. He retired in Jan. 1921 and died March 20, 1926. This revolver was presented to Col. Riche when he was in command of the 1st Volunteer Infantry. Although Col. Riche was a commander of the 1st Volunteer Infantry from May to Sept. 1898, they never left the United States, simply being shipped from Galveston to New Orleans in May and back to Galveston in Sept. where they were mustered out. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Fine. Bbl retains 80-90% strong original nickel; ejector housing retains about 95% original nickel with 3 or 4 small dings on the outer radius; frame retains about 85% original nickel with the loss areas mostly on the recoil shield and loading gate with some fine flaking elsewhere; cylinder retains 75-80% original nickel. Grip frame retains about 90% orig nickel with a spot of pitting on the back strap; screws are all fine and retain most of their orig fire blue, turned a little dark; right grip has a couple of small chips at the heel and both grips have spotty rust staining which correspond to spots and areas of rust on the grip frame; both grips have a hairline from the screw escutcheon. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with moderate pitting. 4-50656 JR227 (7,500-12,500) – Lot 1219 Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014 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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IDENTIFIED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH INSCRIBED GRIP “COL. CHAS. S. RICHE / C.E.S. & A.A.D. / MAY 20TH, 1898”.