RARE AND HISTORIC SQUARE-BACK COLT NAVY REVOLVER INSCRIBED TO STEPHEN R. MALLORY.

SN 1705. This rare early Colt Navy was made in the first year of production 1850.It is in impeccable “as found” condition with impeccable provenance as descending in the family of Stephen R. Mallory. The gun is inscribed on backstrap in the style most likely attributed to the Colt factory “HON. STEPHEN R. MALLORY, KEY WEST”. Mallory has a long and illustrious record of political service, most famously known as the Confederate Secretary of the Navy under President Jefferson Davis March 4, 1861 – May 2, 1865. Mallory served in many posts prior to and after the Confederacy. He was elected Senator from the state of Florida in 1850 which is no doubt the date and reason for him owning this early Colt Navy revolver. Col. Colt gave many guns to political figures he thought could further sales of his guns. Mallory, in his time in the Senate, was the prominent Chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs. This was a time of rapid Naval reform and he insisted that ships of the United States Navy should be the best in the world. Mallory was born in Trinidad, British West Indies in 1812. His family moved to the United States and settled in Key West, Florida in 1820. He joined the army and fought in the Seminole War in Florida, 1835-1837. Mallory held several minor political posts until becoming Senator in 1850; a post he held until secession in 1861. There is much written and published on Mallory’s thoughts on the Navy in this time frame. After the Civil War Mallory was imprisoned along with Jefferson Davis and was among the few in the Confederate Government to be charged with treason against the United States. It was not until March 10, 1866 that President Andrew Johnson granted Mallory a “partial parole”; though Mallory was no longer in jail, he was required to stay with his daughter in Bridgeport, CT. It was not until June of 1866 that Mallory was paroled and allowed to return to Florida. By the terms of his parole he was not permitted to hold public office. He practiced law in Pensacola until his death in 1873 and is buried at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Pensacola. It is interesting to note that among Mallory’s published thoughts on modernizing the Navy that rifled guns (especially cannon) should replace smooth-bore weapons. Colt Navy revolvers would have Naval military contracts in the 1850s, replacing smooth-bore, single shot pistols then in Naval inventories. This gun has impeccable surface and inscription to Senator Mallory and is mentioned specifically in a 1977 will to family member of consignor. PROVENANCE: Stephen R. Mallory, Stephen R. Mallory Descendents. CONDITION: Gun is very good overall. Gun appears orig and authentic and unaltered. SN 1705 appears on all parts normally serial numbered with exception of wedge which is numbered 789 but appears orig to this gun with identical surface and patina. There are small traces of org finish in protected areas though surfaces are brown/plum with staining and pitting. All serial numbers are well struck and easily discerned. Address on bbl is complete though several letters are weakly struck as can be seen in photos. ‘COLT’S PATENT’ on left side of frame is discernible but a couple letters light as can be seen in photos. The rolled Naval battle cylinder scene is about 50% discernible and light. About 25% of the silver plating on backstrap and trigger guard is retained. The inscription on backstrap is well discerned and easily read. The well-fit wood grips retain about 90% of their orig varnish with scattered, small dings, dents and scratches. 4-49112 JS (20,000-30,000) – Lot 2298

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
	2298	$45,425.00	RARE AND HISTORIC SQUARE-BACK COLT NAVY REVOLVER INSCRIBED TO STEPHEN R. MALLORY. SN 1705. This rare early Colt Navy was made in the first year of production 1850.It is in impeccable “as found” condition with impeccable provenance as descending in the family of Stephen R. Mallory. The gun is inscribed on backstrap in the style most likely attributed to the Colt factory “HON. STEPHEN R. MALLORY, KEY WEST”. Mallory has a long and illustrious record of political service, most famously known as the Confederate Secretary of the Navy under President Jefferson Davis March 4, 1861 – May 2, 1865. Mallory served in many posts prior to and after the Confederacy. He was elected Senator from the state of Florida in 1850 which is no doubt the date and reason for him owning this early Colt Navy revolver. Col. Colt gave many guns to political figures he thought could further sales of his guns. Mallory, in his time in the Senate, was the prominent Chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs. This was a time of rapid Naval reform and he insisted that ships of the United States Navy should be the best in the world. Mallory was born in Trinidad, British West Indies in 1812. His family moved to the United States and settled in Key West, Florida in 1820. He joined the army and fought in the Seminole War in Florida, 1835-1837. Mallory held several minor political posts until becoming Senator in 1850; a post he held until secession in 1861. There is much written and published on Mallory’s thoughts on the Navy in this time frame. After the Civil War Mallory was imprisoned along with Jefferson Davis and was among the few in the Confederate Government to be charged with treason against the United States. It was not until March 10, 1866 that President Andrew Johnson granted Mallory a “partial parole”; though Mallory was no longer in jail, he was required to stay with his daughter in Bridgeport, CT. It was not until June of 1866 that Mallory was paroled and allowed to return to Florida. By the terms of his parole he was not permitted to hold public office. He practiced law in Pensacola until his death in 1873 and is buried at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Pensacola. It is interesting to note that among Mallory’s published thoughts on modernizing the Navy that rifled guns (especially cannon) should replace smooth-bore weapons. Colt Navy revolvers would have Naval military contracts in the 1850s, replacing smooth-bore, single shot pistols then in Naval inventories. This gun has impeccable surface and inscription to Senator Mallory and is mentioned specifically in a 1977 will to family member of consignor. PROVENANCE: Stephen R. Mallory, Stephen R. Mallory Descendents. CONDITION: Gun is very good overall. Gun appears orig and authentic and unaltered. SN 1705 appears on all parts normally serial numbered with exception of wedge which is numbered 789 but appears orig to this gun with identical surface and patina. There are small traces of org finish in protected areas though surfaces are brown/plum with staining and pitting. All serial numbers are well struck and easily discerned. Address on bbl is complete though several letters are weakly struck as can be seen in photos. ‘COLT’S PATENT’ on left side of frame is discernible but a couple letters light as can be seen in photos. The rolled Naval battle cylinder scene is about 50% discernible and light. About 25% of the silver plating on backstrap and trigger guard is retained. The inscription on backstrap is well discerned and easily read. The well-fit wood grips retain about 90% of their orig varnish with scattered, small dings, dents and scratches. 4-49112 JS (20,000-30,000) – Lot 2298 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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RARE AND HISTORIC SQUARE-BACK COLT NAVY REVOLVER INSCRIBED TO STEPHEN R. MALLORY.