1266

$25,300.00

INSCRIBED COLT BREVETTE NAVY REVOLVER OF CONFEDERATE BRIGADIER GENERAL WILLIAM Y. SLACK OF MISSOURI, KILLED IN ACTION AT BATTLE OF PEA RIDGE, ARK.

NSN. Cal. 34. Brigadier General William Y. Slack (1816-1862) of the Missouri State Guard at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, August 10, 1861, his command was the first to attack Union General Lyon’s troops and suffered severely. 36 were killed and 76 wounded, General Slack himself fell with a dangerous wound at the head of column. After Slack recuperated he was back in action and commanding troops in the spring campaign of 1862 in Northeast Arkansas which resulted in the fierce battle at Elkhorn Tavern (Battle of Pea Ridge). At the opening of the fight on March 7, while maintaining a successful attack, he was shot through the body, a wound which proved mortal. “I hope his distinguished services will be restored to his country,” wrote General van Dorn. General Sterling Price also alluded to him as “one of his best and bravest officers”. In this fatal battle, in which so many brilliant officers lost their lives he was one of the costliest sacrifices of Missouri. (Quotes taken from Confederate military history.) This brevette of unknown manufacture is original and has great collection history. It is pictured and described in Confederate Presentation & Inscribed Swords & Revolvers by Dan Hartzler, 1988 and has a large file of correspondence starting in 1974. This gun has been in several fine Confederate collections and was studied by early Confederate authority Henry Stewart. The inscription on backstrap reads “BRIG. GEN’L WM.Y.SLACK IV Mo.S.G.” The gun is beautifully made emulating Colt Navy with 7-3/4″ octagonal bbl, iron frame, trigger guard and backstrap. The metal of bbl and frame show striations not seen on American or European brevettes and Henry Stewart and Russ Pritchard commented in a 1984 letter that the gun is quite a mystery as to maker. Engraved under loading arm on bottom of bbl “GEO. S. POLLEYS ARKADELPHIA 1862”. Captain George S. Polleys was in charge of the Confederate Ordnance Works at Arkadelphia, AR and when this establishment moved to Tyler, TX he was placed in charge of the armory there. Polleys also served with Arkansas regiment and was captured in 1865. The connection between the Polleys and Slack is unknown. Accompanying revolver is a rare signature on legal document signed by Slack in 1841. Regardless, this is an interesting revolver with good collection history. PROVENANCE: Collection of Fred Slayton, Nebo, KY; Don Bryan collection; outstanding estate collection of Confederate and historical arms of Morris Racker. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Gun is crisp with traces of finish. Markings are excellent as can be seen in photos. Mechanically functional with crisp rifled bore. Hand worn checkered wood stocks. Cylinder retains crisp safety pins and unique knurling on surface. 51957-16 JS (10,000-20,000) – Lot 1266

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Auction: Firearms - October 2017

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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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