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CIVIL WAR INSCRIBED SMITH & WESSON #2 ARMY REVOLVER, CAPT. H. K. COOLEY, 27TH MASS.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,250.00 USD Estimated At:4,500.00 - 6,500.00 USD
CIVIL WAR INSCRIBED SMITH & WESSON #2 ARMY REVOLVER, CAPT. H. K. COOLEY, 27TH MASS.
SN 1033. Cal. 32. This is among the earliest Smith & Wesson Army revolvers with 2-pin frame made in 1861. This is a fine example of the popular Civil War sidearm with 6" bbl in "as found" fine condition. The gun has matching assembly numbers, and the SN is stamped on inside of grip. Presentation engraved on backstrap reads "Presented to HKC by his Friends" along with an engraved Masonic emblem. Buttstrap is inscribed "Capt. H.K. Cooley". This gun, along with a war time CDV of Capt. Cooley, are pictured in the Smith & Wesson Collectors Association Journal, Spring 1990. Capt. Horace K. Cooley was born in Grandville, Mass, in 1824 and served as a Private in the 10th U.S. Infantry during the Mexican War, April 1847 to August 1848 when Civil War began. Cooley enlisted Sept 20, 1861 and was commissioned Captain Oct 16, 1861. In the regimental history Bearing Arms published in 1883 by W.P. Derby, Cooley is mentioned receiving a sword, sash and belt from the Masonic Fraternity upon his captaincy. It is a good possibility that this Smith & Wesson revolver was presented at this time also, especially due to its engraved Masonic symbol. The 27th Mass was involved with Burnsides's North Carolina campaign early in 1862 and Cooley was involved in most actions on the North Carolina coast, including actions around New Berne on Nov 12th where Capt. Cooley was highly complimented by his commanding officer "for his courage and efficiency in holding position during the night". Cooley resigned his commission due to disability on April 29, 1863 at New Berne. Cooley returned to Mass, originally being employed in manufacture of cartridges and later other enterprises. He died in Boston in 1902. There is a large file of research materials including Cooley's war records and various ads from the Springfield, Mass, city directory listing his post-war work dealing in the marble business. Included with this lot is a copy of the Spring 1990 Smith & Wesson Collectors Association Journal where this gun is pictured. Also included is an orig engraving of the "Attack on Roanoke Island" published in 1862; a 1st edition copy of Bearing Arms by W.P. Derby 1883, which is a history of the 27th Mass where Cooley is prominently mentioned. There is also a factory letter from Smith & Wesson detailing this gun signed by Roy Jinks. PROVENANCE: Marlan Polhemus Collection. CONDITION: Gun retains about 80% of its original blue finish on frame and bbl with staining and pitting and balance of metal gray/brown with several scrapes on frame near latch. Cyl is brown with pitting. Maker and patent marks on bbl flat and cyl are crisp and easily read as are serial numbers. Rosewood grips are sound and solid with about half of their orig varnish present. Mechanically gun functions well with crisp bright rifling. 4-48739 JS63