RARE GUSTAVE YOUNG ENGRAVED 1861 NAVY REVOLVER PRESENTED TO COL. FRANK WOLFORD.

RARE GUSTAVE YOUNG ENGRAVED 1861 NAVY REVOLVER PRESENTED TO COL. FRANK WOLFORD. SN 13564E. Cal. 36. Usual configuration with 7-1/2″ rnd bbl, German silver front sight and New-York U.S. America address. It has unfluted 6-shot cylinder with Ormsby Naval battle scene and all six safety pins remain crisp. It has silver plated trigger guard & back strap containing a 1-pc ivory grip that has deep relief, highly detailed Mexican eagle on left side. Back strap is inscribed in period script and block letters “From the Union Citizens of Lexington to / COL. FRANK WOLFORD / August 1863”. The frame, bbl, hammer, back strap, butt strap & trigger guard are beautifully engraved by Gustave Young in his distinctive style of sweeping foliate arabesque scrolls, many of which terminate in flower blossoms. The hammer has his deluxe engraving on both sides with wolf’s heads on hammer nose. Top edge of the hammer has fish scale patterns. Bbl lug is engraved with matching foliate & floral arabesque patterns which extend about half way up the bbl. Top of back strap has Mr. Young’s distinctive fan pattern with a zig zag border and a narrow panel with four small dots, and it has foliate arabesque patterns at top & heel, on butt strap & trigger guard. The serial numbers on the bbl lug, frame, trigger guard & butt strap are all accompanied by a small “E” signifying engraving. Wedge is numbered “3096” and has engraved ends by another hand. Frank Lane Wolford was born Sept. 2, 1817 near Columbia, KY. He attended local schools, studied law and was admitted to the bar and practiced law in Liberty, KY. Prior to the war, in 1847 & 1848 he was a member of the State House of Representatives. With the Civil War eminent, Wolford was appointed Lt. Colonel in the Kentucky Cavalry and was authorized to recruit men for the looming fight. By August 1861 three companies had been raised and on August 6th they rode to Camp Robinson. Upon arrival the commander, Col. Landram, announced his resignation and the mantle of command fell to Lt. Col. Wolford. They were mustered into service on Oct. 28, 1861 and in December were issued their regulation blue uniforms and Colt Navy pistols. They fought through numerous skirmishes and battles with great distinction earning respect from both Union & Confederate forces. Their most notable engagement was the pursuit and capture of the famed Confederate raider, Gen. John H. Morgan. Morgan was also a Kentuckian fighting for the Confederacy and a notorious independent raider that was creating havoc behind Union lines. At the Battle of Lebanon, where Wolford & Morgan opposed each other, Col. Wolford was severely wounded in the hip during the engagement and captured by Morgan’s forces. Even though he was bleeding profusely Gen. Morgan forced him to ride about ten miles as a prisoner before Wolford was recaptured by his own troops. Morgan was able to escape capture by seizing a small skiff and rowing across a river which Wolford’s troops were unable to cross on their worn out horses. When the First Kentucky departed Lebanon on the morning of May 6th they marched to Murfreesboro leaving Col. Wolford behind to recuperate. On July 1, 1863 Gen. Morgan began his most famous raid when he crossed the Cumberland River near Burkesville and marched to Columbia where he encountered a scouting party of about 100 troopers of the First Kentucky Cavalry. By July 3rd Morgan was moving toward Lebanon, Kentucky which he captured after a short battle. On July 6th a combined force including the First Kentucky Cavalry was ordered to pursue Gen. Morgan and overtake him which began one of the most famous pursuits in the annals of the Civil War. The ensuing march lasted 24 days from July 2-26, during which time the men under Wolford’s command rode continuously without sleep or rest. Gen. Shackleford, who was in command of the entire force, wrote about Col. Wolford “the noble, true and gallant Wolford, who was in the entire pursuit, is one of the coolest, bravest and most efficient officers in the Army”. After the Morgan Raid and capture of Gen. Morgan, the First Kentucky returned to Somerset. Lt. Col Wolford was promoted to Colonel and assigned to command the Independent Cavalry Brigade consisting of the 1st, 11th & 12th Kentucky Cavalry along with Laws Mountain Howitzer Battery. It was probably at about this time that Col. Wolford was presented this fine Colt by the grateful citizens of Lexington. This exact revolver is pictured on p. 147 of the book The Wm M. Locke Collection, Sellers. It is identified by serial number and is pictured in a presentation case complete with flask, mold & cap tin, all of which are now missing. It is also pictured on p. 91 of the book Colt’s History and Heroes, Hamilton, and in the same book Col. Wolford’s career is detailed on pp. 103-106. A copy of this book accompanies this revolver. This revolver was also on the cover of the 6 November 2003 issue of The Gun Report and was the subject of a 2-page article by Edward Scott Meadows, along with a photograph in the same publication. A copy of this magazine accompanies this revolver. Also accompanying is a 1-page letter by noted researcher, historian & author, R.L. Wilson, dated June 14, 1984. This revolver is a fine example of a Civil War presentation to a gallant and brave soldier. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Bbl retains 35-40% orig blue, mostly in sheltered areas with the balance a blue/brown patina and fine pitting around muzzle. Frame & hammer retain dark case colors with pitting on hammer nose. Trigger guard & back strap retain 30-40% orig silver with the balance a light mustard patina. Cylinder retains 75-80% thin orig blue and about 98% orig Ormsby Naval battle scene and all six crisp safety pins. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore with a few spots of scattered fine pitting. 4-37832 (75,000-100,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2009

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
	2049	$0.00	RARE GUSTAVE YOUNG ENGRAVED 1861 NAVY REVOLVER PRESENTED TO COL. FRANK WOLFORD. SN 13564E. Cal. 36. Usual configuration with 7-1/2″ rnd bbl, German silver front sight and New-York U.S. America address. It has unfluted 6-shot cylinder with Ormsby Naval battle scene and all six safety pins remain crisp. It has silver plated trigger guard & back strap containing a 1-pc ivory grip that has deep relief, highly detailed Mexican eagle on left side. Back strap is inscribed in period script and block letters “From the Union Citizens of Lexington to / COL. FRANK WOLFORD / August 1863”. The frame, bbl, hammer, back strap, butt strap & trigger guard are beautifully engraved by Gustave Young in his distinctive style of sweeping foliate arabesque scrolls, many of which terminate in flower blossoms. The hammer has his deluxe engraving on both sides with wolf’s heads on hammer nose. Top edge of the hammer has fish scale patterns. Bbl lug is engraved with matching foliate & floral arabesque patterns which extend about half way up the bbl. Top of back strap has Mr. Young’s distinctive fan pattern with a zig zag border and a narrow panel with four small dots, and it has foliate arabesque patterns at top & heel, on butt strap & trigger guard. The serial numbers on the bbl lug, frame, trigger guard & butt strap are all accompanied by a small “E” signifying engraving. Wedge is numbered “3096” and has engraved ends by another hand. Frank Lane Wolford was born Sept. 2, 1817 near Columbia, KY. He attended local schools, studied law and was admitted to the bar and practiced law in Liberty, KY. Prior to the war, in 1847 & 1848 he was a member of the State House of Representatives. With the Civil War eminent, Wolford was appointed Lt. Colonel in the Kentucky Cavalry and was authorized to recruit men for the looming fight. By August 1861 three companies had been raised and on August 6th they rode to Camp Robinson. Upon arrival the commander, Col. Landram, announced his resignation and the mantle of command fell to Lt. Col. Wolford. They were mustered into service on Oct. 28, 1861 and in December were issued their regulation blue uniforms and Colt Navy pistols. They fought through numerous skirmishes and battles with great distinction earning respect from both Union & Confederate forces. Their most notable engagement was the pursuit and capture of the famed Confederate raider, Gen. John H. Morgan. Morgan was also a Kentuckian fighting for the Confederacy and a notorious independent raider that was creating havoc behind Union lines. At the Battle of Lebanon, where Wolford & Morgan opposed each other, Col. Wolford was severely wounded in the hip during the engagement and captured by Morgan’s forces. Even though he was bleeding profusely Gen. Morgan forced him to ride about ten miles as a prisoner before Wolford was recaptured by his own troops. Morgan was able to escape capture by seizing a small skiff and rowing across a river which Wolford’s troops were unable to cross on their worn out horses. When the First Kentucky departed Lebanon on the morning of May 6th they marched to Murfreesboro leaving Col. Wolford behind to recuperate. On July 1, 1863 Gen. Morgan began his most famous raid when he crossed the Cumberland River near Burkesville and marched to Columbia where he encountered a scouting party of about 100 troopers of the First Kentucky Cavalry. By July 3rd Morgan was moving toward Lebanon, Kentucky which he captured after a short battle. On July 6th a combined force including the First Kentucky Cavalry was ordered to pursue Gen. Morgan and overtake him which began one of the most famous pursuits in the annals of the Civil War. The ensuing march lasted 24 days from July 2-26, during which time the men under Wolford’s command rode continuously without sleep or rest. Gen. Shackleford, who was in command of the entire force, wrote about Col. Wolford “the noble, true and gallant Wolford, who was in the entire pursuit, is one of the coolest, bravest and most efficient officers in the Army”. After the Morgan Raid and capture of Gen. Morgan, the First Kentucky returned to Somerset. Lt. Col Wolford was promoted to Colonel and assigned to command the Independent Cavalry Brigade consisting of the 1st, 11th & 12th Kentucky Cavalry along with Laws Mountain Howitzer Battery. It was probably at about this time that Col. Wolford was presented this fine Colt by the grateful citizens of Lexington. This exact revolver is pictured on p. 147 of the book The Wm M. Locke Collection, Sellers. It is identified by serial number and is pictured in a presentation case complete with flask, mold & cap tin, all of which are now missing. It is also pictured on p. 91 of the book Colt’s History and Heroes, Hamilton, and in the same book Col. Wolford’s career is detailed on pp. 103-106. A copy of this book accompanies this revolver. This revolver was also on the cover of the 6 November 2003 issue of The Gun Report and was the subject of a 2-page article by Edward Scott Meadows, along with a photograph in the same publication. A copy of this magazine accompanies this revolver. Also accompanying is a 1-page letter by noted researcher, historian & author, R.L. Wilson, dated June 14, 1984. This revolver is a fine example of a Civil War presentation to a gallant and brave soldier. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Bbl retains 35-40% orig blue, mostly in sheltered areas with the balance a blue/brown patina and fine pitting around muzzle. Frame & hammer retain dark case colors with pitting on hammer nose. Trigger guard & back strap retain 30-40% orig silver with the balance a light mustard patina. Cylinder retains 75-80% thin orig blue and about 98% orig Ormsby Naval battle scene and all six crisp safety pins. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore with a few spots of scattered fine pitting. 4-37832 (75,000-100,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2009 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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