SCARCE IDENTIFIED COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY PERCUSSION REVOLVER.

SCARCE IDENTIFIED COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY PERCUSSION REVOLVER. SN 121634. Cal. 44. Usual configuration with 8″ rnd bbl, German silver front sight, 1-line New York address & 3-screw frame cut for shoulder stock with flat head hammer screw & “COLT’S PATENT” on left front side. It has brass trigger guard & steel back strap with 1-pc walnut grip that has a partially legible cartouche on each side. Bottom of left side of grip has crude carved initials “AB”. According to family legend when this revolver was purchased, along with a sword & LeMat revolver, this Colt revolver belonged to Andrew Bibber. Bibber was a Captain in the 1st Maine Cavalry. According to archive records he was mustered in on Oct. 19, 1861 as 1st Sergeant of Company D & mustered out & discharged on April 22, 1865 to accept appointment as Captain & Assistant Adjutant General of volunteers. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in October 1862 which apparently was made permanent in March of 1863. He was then promoted to Adjutant & Captain of the 1st Maine Cavalry in June 1864. After becoming Asst. Adjutant General he was appointed aide-de-camp to Gen. Crook and it was during this tenure that he somehow became responsible for a captured Confederate Brig. Gen. William C. Payne who was wounded in the cavalry fight at Five Forks & captured on March 30, 1865. Information is a little confusing as family legend has it that Capt. Bibber personally captured Gen. Payne but records actually show he was captured by an Illinois unit & turned over to Gen. Crook’s command. Regardless, Bibber & Payne apparently became closely acquainted during the latter & family legend has it that Gen. Payne died as a result of his wounds but as he lay dying asked Bibber to look after his wife & seven children. Records actually show that Gen. Payne survived the war & returned home to his wife & family in Warrenton, Virginia. Surely the truth lies somewhere in between & likely will never be known. Regardless, Capt. Bibber was apparently a valiant soldier & well enough respected to become Adjutant & the ADC to Gen. Crook. Accompanying is a large volume of material relating to Capt. Bibber & his military service including the parchment presidential commission of Capt. Bibber on 10 March 1866 & signed Andrew Johnson. No additional history is known regarding Capt. Bibber after the war beyond family legend which states that he returned to Maine after the war & married a local girl. CONDITION: Fine. Traces of orig finish remain in the most sheltered areas being overall a smooth medium brown patina. Cylinder has matching patina & retains 40-50% Ormsby Naval engagement scene. Trigger guard retains a medium mustard patina with the backstrap a smooth light patina. Grip has chipped toes with some battering on bottom & light nicks & scratches with a hand worn patina & partially legible cartouches. Hand spring is broken, otherwise mechanics are fine, strong bright bore with light pitting. 4-35834 (7,500-8,500)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2008

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
	2280	$0.00	SCARCE IDENTIFIED COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY PERCUSSION REVOLVER. SN 121634. Cal. 44. Usual configuration with 8″ rnd bbl, German silver front sight, 1-line New York address & 3-screw frame cut for shoulder stock with flat head hammer screw & “COLT’S PATENT” on left front side. It has brass trigger guard & steel back strap with 1-pc walnut grip that has a partially legible cartouche on each side. Bottom of left side of grip has crude carved initials “AB”. According to family legend when this revolver was purchased, along with a sword & LeMat revolver, this Colt revolver belonged to Andrew Bibber. Bibber was a Captain in the 1st Maine Cavalry. According to archive records he was mustered in on Oct. 19, 1861 as 1st Sergeant of Company D & mustered out & discharged on April 22, 1865 to accept appointment as Captain & Assistant Adjutant General of volunteers. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in October 1862 which apparently was made permanent in March of 1863. He was then promoted to Adjutant & Captain of the 1st Maine Cavalry in June 1864. After becoming Asst. Adjutant General he was appointed aide-de-camp to Gen. Crook and it was during this tenure that he somehow became responsible for a captured Confederate Brig. Gen. William C. Payne who was wounded in the cavalry fight at Five Forks & captured on March 30, 1865. Information is a little confusing as family legend has it that Capt. Bibber personally captured Gen. Payne but records actually show he was captured by an Illinois unit & turned over to Gen. Crook’s command. Regardless, Bibber & Payne apparently became closely acquainted during the latter & family legend has it that Gen. Payne died as a result of his wounds but as he lay dying asked Bibber to look after his wife & seven children. Records actually show that Gen. Payne survived the war & returned home to his wife & family in Warrenton, Virginia. Surely the truth lies somewhere in between & likely will never be known. Regardless, Capt. Bibber was apparently a valiant soldier & well enough respected to become Adjutant & the ADC to Gen. Crook. Accompanying is a large volume of material relating to Capt. Bibber & his military service including the parchment presidential commission of Capt. Bibber on 10 March 1866 & signed Andrew Johnson. No additional history is known regarding Capt. Bibber after the war beyond family legend which states that he returned to Maine after the war & married a local girl. CONDITION: Fine. Traces of orig finish remain in the most sheltered areas being overall a smooth medium brown patina. Cylinder has matching patina & retains 40-50% Ormsby Naval engagement scene. Trigger guard retains a medium mustard patina with the backstrap a smooth light patina. Grip has chipped toes with some battering on bottom & light nicks & scratches with a hand worn patina & partially legible cartouches. Hand spring is broken, otherwise mechanics are fine, strong bright bore with light pitting. 4-35834 (7,500-8,500) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2008 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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