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CIVIL WAR PLANT BRASS FRAME ARMY REVOLVER

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:600.00 USD Estimated At:1,200.00 - 1,500.00 USD
CIVIL WAR PLANT BRASS FRAME ARMY REVOLVER

INSCRIBED TO SOLDIER IN 1ST MAINE HEAVY ARTILLERY. Cal. 41 CF. S# 5570. Bbl. 5 1/2". Revolver is inscribed on backstrap "J. WOTTON 1864". There is only one J. Wotton in the entire U.S. Army during the Civil War. Joshua Wotton was a 45 year old private from Enfield, ME when he enlisted Jan. 4th, 1864. He was one of the lucky survivors of this hard fought unit which fought as infantry through the 1864 Virginia campaigns. He would stay in service until discharged in June, 1865 living after the war in Togus, ME, dying in 1882. The 1st Maine HA is best known for having the highest casualties of any unit during the Civil War. It seems The 1st Maine was always the first to charge well-fortified Confederate earthworks. The highest casualties in any battle for one regt. occurred June 18, 1864 at Petersburg w/ the loss of 7 officers & 108 men killed, another 25 officers & 464 men wounded. Almost 70% of its 900 man force were causalities. The 1st Maine lost a total of 683; killed & disease for the war. This revolver when mfg. used a front loading cup fire cartridge, unique to few Civil War arms. This revolver has been converted to .41 Centerfire by filing off the ejector housing on right side of frame & altering hammer face to a centerfire pin. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: accompanying binder w/ research. CONDITION: good to very good overall. Well discerned makers mark & patent left side of bbl. & cyl. Well-fit grips have hand worn patina & chipping to varnish on right side. Brass cleaned, toned to a light mustard patina. Iron is smooth gray overall. Mechanically fine w/ pitted, rifled bore. PROVENANCE: From the Collection of James B. Taylor. (01-20461/JS). ANTIQUE. $1,200-1,500.