RARE CASED CIVIL WAR INSCRIBED MARTIALLY MARKED COLT 1851 NAVY REVOLVER.

RARE CASED CIVIL WAR INSCRIBED MARTIALLY MARKED COLT 1851 NAVY REVOLVER. Cal. 36. SN 52547. Usual configuration with 7-1/2″ oct bbl, New York address, “Colt’s Patent” and tiny “U.S” on the left side of the frame. Brass back strap & trigger guard with 1-piece walnut grips. Both sides of the grip have legible cartouches and there are tiny inspector marks on some of the parts. The back strap is inscribed in large block letters “CAPTAIN B. BENKLER”. The top of the back strap behind the hammer is also inscribed “CO. G. / 58 R.” and the bottom of the butt is inscribed “O.V.U.A.”. It is accompanied by an original walnut Colt casing with dark green velvet lining and compartments for the revolver, an angle spout single sided Colt’s patent Navy size flask, a brass Colt’s patent 2-cavity mold, a nipple wrench and a Hick’s cap tin. Also included is a membership ribbon of the Army of the Cumberland.

Preliminary internet research disclosed that Baptist Benkler enlisted June 3, 1861 as a 1st Lieutenant in Company H, 24th Ohio Infantry and resigned on September 14, 1861. On December 20, 1861 he enlisted as a Private in the 58th Ohio Infantry and on January 6, 1862 he mustered into Company G, 58th Ohio Infantry and was promoted to Captain January 10, 1862 and was discharged on February 9, 1862. On September 4, 1864 he mustered into Company E 178th Ohio Infantry as a Private and was mustered out on June 29, 1865 at Charlotte, NC. Also accompanying is a packet of copies of military records and information on Lt. Jacob Haring, Company G, 58th Ohio Infantry. Haring fought through the war, was wounded and had a leg amputated and was discharged December 23, 1863. The only reason Lt. Haring is mentioned here is because his identical Colt 1851 Navy revolver with engraving applied by the same hand is currently on display at the Ohio State Historical Society in Columbus, OH. His revolver is only a few serial numbers away from Benkler’s. CONDITION: The revolver is fine, all matching including the wedge with the bbl retaining a mostly plum brown patina, slightly thin over the top flats. The rammer and lever retain a dark plum patina. The frame with traces of dark case colors retains mostly a medium mottled patina with some light surface spotting. The cylinder is a gray patina with some light dings around the front edge and retains 75-80% cylinder scene. Five of the original safety pins are intact. The back strap and trigger guard are a fine mellow brass patina. The grips are sound with light edge wear, light use and handling nicks & scratches and retain 75-85% original varnish. Both cartouches are legible. Mechanics are fine with strong dark bore. The case has a crack in the middle with light handling & storage marks. The interior is slightly faded with the bottom showing light wear and soil. The flask is worn with several small dings on the back side and an open seam. The mold is extremely fine. Altogether a fine condition, unusual Colt with a somewhat unusual history. Hamilton Collection 4-52115 JR829 (10,000-15,000)

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
	1202	$11,500.00	RARE CASED CIVIL WAR INSCRIBED MARTIALLY MARKED COLT 1851 NAVY REVOLVER. Cal. 36. SN 52547. Usual configuration with 7-1/2″ oct bbl, New York address, “Colt’s Patent” and tiny “U.S” on the left side of the frame. Brass back strap & trigger guard with 1-piece walnut grips. Both sides of the grip have legible cartouches and there are tiny inspector marks on some of the parts. The back strap is inscribed in large block letters “CAPTAIN B. BENKLER”. The top of the back strap behind the hammer is also inscribed “CO. G. / 58 R.” and the bottom of the butt is inscribed “O.V.U.A.”. It is accompanied by an original walnut Colt casing with dark green velvet lining and compartments for the revolver, an angle spout single sided Colt’s patent Navy size flask, a brass Colt’s patent 2-cavity mold, a nipple wrench and a Hick’s cap tin. Also included is a membership ribbon of the Army of the Cumberland. Preliminary internet research disclosed that Baptist Benkler enlisted June 3, 1861 as a 1st Lieutenant in Company H, 24th Ohio Infantry and resigned on September 14, 1861. On December 20, 1861 he enlisted as a Private in the 58th Ohio Infantry and on January 6, 1862 he mustered into Company G, 58th Ohio Infantry and was promoted to Captain January 10, 1862 and was discharged on February 9, 1862. On September 4, 1864 he mustered into Company E 178th Ohio Infantry as a Private and was mustered out on June 29, 1865 at Charlotte, NC. Also accompanying is a packet of copies of military records and information on Lt. Jacob Haring, Company G, 58th Ohio Infantry. Haring fought through the war, was wounded and had a leg amputated and was discharged December 23, 1863. The only reason Lt. Haring is mentioned here is because his identical Colt 1851 Navy revolver with engraving applied by the same hand is currently on display at the Ohio State Historical Society in Columbus, OH. His revolver is only a few serial numbers away from Benkler’s. CONDITION: The revolver is fine, all matching including the wedge with the bbl retaining a mostly plum brown patina, slightly thin over the top flats. The rammer and lever retain a dark plum patina. The frame with traces of dark case colors retains mostly a medium mottled patina with some light surface spotting. The cylinder is a gray patina with some light dings around the front edge and retains 75-80% cylinder scene. Five of the original safety pins are intact. The back strap and trigger guard are a fine mellow brass patina. The grips are sound with light edge wear, light use and handling nicks & scratches and retain 75-85% original varnish. Both cartouches are legible. Mechanics are fine with strong dark bore. The case has a crack in the middle with light handling & storage marks. The interior is slightly faded with the bottom showing light wear and soil. The flask is worn with several small dings on the back side and an open seam. The mold is extremely fine. Altogether a fine condition, unusual Colt with a somewhat unusual history. Hamilton Collection 4-52115 JR829 (10,000-15,000) 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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