RARE CIVIL WAR INSCRIBED COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY REVOLVER.

RARE CIVIL WAR INSCRIBED COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY REVOLVER. Cal. 36. SN 51952. Usual configuration with very rare 5-5/8″ oct bbl that appears to be completely original. It has silver-plated brass grip frame & 1-pc walnut grip. Back strap is inscribed “1ST LT WM G PHINNEY 7TH MAINE INFY”. Bottom of the grip is hand scratched “NORVELL”. It is accompanied by a spectacular form fitted, tooled, period, flap holster that appears to have been cut down from a longer bbl length. Tab of the flap fits through a small loop rather than over a brass stud. Belt loop is an old replacement as is the tab loop and the rear seam appears to have been re-stitched. Research disclosed that “William C. Phinney” enlisted June 24, 1861 as a Private into Company A, 5th Maine Infantry; was transferred to Company B, Maine 7th Infantry on 12-28-1863; and again was transferred to Company B, Maine 1st Veteran Infantry on Aug. 21, 1864 and mustered out June 28, 1865. His promotions appear to have been Corporal 1861, Sergeant June 1862, 1st Sergeant 1864, 2nd Lieutenant December 1864 and 1st Lieutenant January 1865. The 5th Maine Volunteer Infantry was organized in Augusta-mustered August 21, 1861. Their initial assignment was at Baltimore, Maryland then moving to Washington and Manassas before reporting to Fortress Monroe. This unit participated in a number of important battles in the eastern theater of way as follows: Yorktown, Williamsburg, Peninsula Campaign, Mechanicsville, Savage Station, Malvern Hill, Centreville, Crampton’s Gap-South Mountain, Antietam, after which they reported home to Portland to recruit until January 21, 1863. Returning to the front they then participated at Chancellorsville, Marye’s Heights, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, Mine run, Rapidan, Wilderness, where they fought in the assault on the Bloody Angle, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, repulse of Early’s attack on Washington following the Monocacy Battle, and Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign. They were mustered out of service at Charlestown, Virginia where Phinney transferred to the 1st Maine Veteran Volunteer Infantry. In this unit Phinney participated in actions at Charlestown, Opequan, Winchester, Fisher’s Hill, Cedar Creek, Petersburg, Sailor’s Creek, Appomattox and Lee’s Surrender . thereafter they marched in the Grand Review. CONDITION: Revolver is fine, all matching including the wedge. It has traces of blue in sheltered areas and traces of silvered case colors on the frame. Grip frame retains 55-65% thin silver-plating. Grip is sound and retains about 85% strong orig varnish. Good mechanics, strong dark bore. Holster as noted, retains generous amounts of its orig finish. A beautiful & truly rare Civil War rig inscribed to a braver veteran soldier from two of the Civil War’s most engaged regiments. 4-56891 JR427 (6,000-8,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2005

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
	3234	$6,325.00	RARE CIVIL WAR INSCRIBED COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY REVOLVER. Cal. 36. SN 51952. Usual configuration with very rare 5-5/8″ oct bbl that appears to be completely original. It has silver-plated brass grip frame & 1-pc walnut grip. Back strap is inscribed “1ST LT WM G PHINNEY 7TH MAINE INFY”. Bottom of the grip is hand scratched “NORVELL”. It is accompanied by a spectacular form fitted, tooled, period, flap holster that appears to have been cut down from a longer bbl length. Tab of the flap fits through a small loop rather than over a brass stud. Belt loop is an old replacement as is the tab loop and the rear seam appears to have been re-stitched. Research disclosed that “William C. Phinney” enlisted June 24, 1861 as a Private into Company A, 5th Maine Infantry; was transferred to Company B, Maine 7th Infantry on 12-28-1863; and again was transferred to Company B, Maine 1st Veteran Infantry on Aug. 21, 1864 and mustered out June 28, 1865. His promotions appear to have been Corporal 1861, Sergeant June 1862, 1st Sergeant 1864, 2nd Lieutenant December 1864 and 1st Lieutenant January 1865. The 5th Maine Volunteer Infantry was organized in Augusta-mustered August 21, 1861. Their initial assignment was at Baltimore, Maryland then moving to Washington and Manassas before reporting to Fortress Monroe. This unit participated in a number of important battles in the eastern theater of way as follows: Yorktown, Williamsburg, Peninsula Campaign, Mechanicsville, Savage Station, Malvern Hill, Centreville, Crampton’s Gap-South Mountain, Antietam, after which they reported home to Portland to recruit until January 21, 1863. Returning to the front they then participated at Chancellorsville, Marye’s Heights, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, Mine run, Rapidan, Wilderness, where they fought in the assault on the Bloody Angle, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, repulse of Early’s attack on Washington following the Monocacy Battle, and Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign. They were mustered out of service at Charlestown, Virginia where Phinney transferred to the 1st Maine Veteran Volunteer Infantry. In this unit Phinney participated in actions at Charlestown, Opequan, Winchester, Fisher’s Hill, Cedar Creek, Petersburg, Sailor’s Creek, Appomattox and Lee’s Surrender . thereafter they marched in the Grand Review. CONDITION: Revolver is fine, all matching including the wedge. It has traces of blue in sheltered areas and traces of silvered case colors on the frame. Grip frame retains 55-65% thin silver-plating. Grip is sound and retains about 85% strong orig varnish. Good mechanics, strong dark bore. Holster as noted, retains generous amounts of its orig finish. A beautiful & truly rare Civil War rig inscribed to a braver veteran soldier from two of the Civil War’s most engaged regiments. 4-56891 JR427 (6,000-8,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2005 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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