CASED CIVIL WAR PRESENTATION COLT 1849 POCKET REVOLVER.

CASED CIVIL WAR PRESENTATION COLT 1849 POCKET REVOLVER. Cal 31. SN 189505. Usual configuration, 4” oct bbl, 1-line New York address, with 5-shot cylinder and brass trigger guard & back strap, 1-pc walnut grips. It is accompanied by an original red velvet lined Colt casing with compartments containing an “E Pluribus Unum” DBL sided eagle flask, iron 2-cavity Colt’s Patent mold and a tin of Hicks caps. The back strap is inscribed “To 2nd Lieut. Samuel J. La Rue of / Montgomery Guards by the Ladies of Bristol” and the butt is engraved “May 2, 1861”. At the same time he was also presented a sword, which at this time, is unknown. Also accompanies is a large packet of information regarding La Rue’s Civil War service. He enlisted May 2, 1861, and was elected 2nd Lieutenant, Company I, 32nd Regiment Infantry of the Third Reserves and was enrolled May 29, 1861. At the time of enrollment he listed his age as 36 years and resided in Bucks County, PA as a hotel keeper and was listed as 5’ 4-1/4” with black hair, gray eyes and dark complexion. Along with his unit he was mustered into service at Harrisburg, Pa on July 29, 1861 and was promoted to Captain on October 1, 1862. He was mustered out with his unit on June 17, 1864. During his term of service he fought in several battles including Dranesville, Fredricksburg, Bull Run and apparently several other lesser fights. In February 1863 his unit was recalled for the defense of Washington and remained there until May 1864 when they participated in the Battle of Cloyd’s Mountain and at Blacksburg and a month later were mustered out of service. After he was mustered out little or nothing is known about Capt. La Rue. Also accompanies is an article from the December 1958 Gun Report by Paul A. Matthews on this revolver. Additionally there are numerous pages regarding historical society research and military records research. CONDITION: About very good. All matching except the wedge which is unnumbered. No original finish remains with the iron being a mottled medium silver/brown patina. Brass has a medium mustard patina and retains traces of silver plating in the very sheltered areas. Grips are sound and retain about 20% original varnish. Cylinder retains about 50% stagecoach holdup scene. Mechanics are fine with strong bright bore and scattered moderate pitting. Both frame pins are broken. Case has both lower rear edge joints loose, otherwise is sound with a slightly warped lid and a grain check in the bottom. Lining is much faded, but intact. Flask has a broken spring, otherwise the accessories are fine. 4-50970 JR732 (3,000-4,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 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
	653	$4,887.00	CASED CIVIL WAR PRESENTATION COLT 1849 POCKET REVOLVER. Cal 31. SN 189505. Usual configuration, 4” oct bbl, 1-line New York address, with 5-shot cylinder and brass trigger guard & back strap, 1-pc walnut grips. It is accompanied by an original red velvet lined Colt casing with compartments containing an “E Pluribus Unum” DBL sided eagle flask, iron 2-cavity Colt’s Patent mold and a tin of Hicks caps. The back strap is inscribed “To 2nd Lieut. Samuel J. La Rue of / Montgomery Guards by the Ladies of Bristol” and the butt is engraved “May 2, 1861”. At the same time he was also presented a sword, which at this time, is unknown. Also accompanies is a large packet of information regarding La Rue’s Civil War service. He enlisted May 2, 1861, and was elected 2nd Lieutenant, Company I, 32nd Regiment Infantry of the Third Reserves and was enrolled May 29, 1861. At the time of enrollment he listed his age as 36 years and resided in Bucks County, PA as a hotel keeper and was listed as 5’ 4-1/4” with black hair, gray eyes and dark complexion. Along with his unit he was mustered into service at Harrisburg, Pa on July 29, 1861 and was promoted to Captain on October 1, 1862. He was mustered out with his unit on June 17, 1864. During his term of service he fought in several battles including Dranesville, Fredricksburg, Bull Run and apparently several other lesser fights. In February 1863 his unit was recalled for the defense of Washington and remained there until May 1864 when they participated in the Battle of Cloyd’s Mountain and at Blacksburg and a month later were mustered out of service. After he was mustered out little or nothing is known about Capt. La Rue. Also accompanies is an article from the December 1958 Gun Report by Paul A. Matthews on this revolver. Additionally there are numerous pages regarding historical society research and military records research. CONDITION: About very good. All matching except the wedge which is unnumbered. No original finish remains with the iron being a mottled medium silver/brown patina. Brass has a medium mustard patina and retains traces of silver plating in the very sheltered areas. Grips are sound and retain about 20% original varnish. Cylinder retains about 50% stagecoach holdup scene. Mechanics are fine with strong bright bore and scattered moderate pitting. Both frame pins are broken. Case has both lower rear edge joints loose, otherwise is sound with a slightly warped lid and a grain check in the bottom. Lining is much faded, but intact. Flask has a broken spring, otherwise the accessories are fine. 4-50970 JR732 (3,000-4,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 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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