LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 June Civil War Grand Format Auction #663  / 

72071

An 1860 Colt Army Revolver With A George Armstro

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:11,250.00 USD Estimated At:45,000.00 - 65,000.00 USD
An 1860 Colt Army Revolver With A George Armstro
<B>An 1860 Colt Army Revolver Presented to General George Armstrong Custer</B></I> The major revolver used by US troops during the Civil War, this .44 caliber revolver bears an inscription presenting it to General George Armstrong Custer from a 'B. Hankin'. Bearing the serial number 140014 and featuring an 8" round barrel, 6 shot cylinder, back strap, loading lever and plunger and butt strap, all iron, this 1860 Colt has been published extensively indicating its presentation to Custer. The trigger guard, front strap and blade front sight are brass. The serial number 140014 appears on the barrel lug, on the frame in front of the trigger guard, trigger guard flat, and butt strap. "6535" is stamped on the bottom of the wedge. The grip is walnut.<BR> The top of the barrel is stamped "Address Col. Sam L Colt, New York, U.S. America" with the cylinder circumference stamped "Colt Patent No. 0014" over "Pat. Sept. 10,1850". "Colt's Patent" is stamped on the left side of the frame in two lines.<BR> The back strap is engraved "Gen. Geo. A. Custer from B. Hankin", faintly, but legible. Descending from a family collection, this weapon has been known to exist in Kansas for many decades, but, as yet, the identity of Mr. Hankin is unknown. Custer spent much time in Kansas and it is possible that this Colt was given to him by an English sportsman who had hunted buffalo with him and was an admirer of his Civil War deeds.<BR><BR>This 1860 Colt is in good mechanical condition with a dark, rich patina on all iron parts except the last 3" of the barrel near the muzzle end which is darker. There are some minor dings and light pitting throughout. The grip has a few dings along the edge of the butt and minor scratches on the right side. The brass parts have a mellow patina which match the overall wear of the gun.<BR>There is extensive provenance with this 1860 Colt. A two-page " Statement", undated, by John S. duMont states that he purchased this revolver in 1952. Mr. duMont believed that 'B. Hankin' was probably an English sportsman who hunted with Custer and purchased a pair of Colt Army Model revolvers, had them engraved, and then presented them to Custer. The pair were split up at some unknown point. The accompanying file contains evidence of another Army Model with the same presentation on the back strap. A 1952 letter from Chas W. Fritz to John duMont states that he (Fritz) had owned the pair and "had an affidavit from a son of B. Hankin certifying that his father had given Custer these guns". He goes on to say that "these guns became separated and I sold the remaining one and the affidavit some years ago"<BR> Published: <I> Samuel Colt Presents,</B></I> pg. 190<BR><I> Life Magazine,</B></I> March 2, 1962<BR><I>Frontier Guns</B></I> pg 34 <BR><I>Amon Carter Museum of Western Art, Ft Worth, TX, 1964</B></I><BR><I>Gun Report,</B></I> December 1963<BR><I>Firearms in the Custer Battle</B></I> by Parsons and duMont (pictured but serial number not mentioned)<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Requires 3rd Party Shipping (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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