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EXCEPTIONAL CIVIL WAR SMITH & WESSON #2 ARMY REVOLVER INSCRIBED TO CAPTAIN J.D. VISSCHER, 43RD NY.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
EXCEPTIONAL CIVIL WAR SMITH & WESSON #2 ARMY REVOLVER INSCRIBED TO CAPTAIN J.D. VISSCHER, 43RD NY.
SN 18660. Cal. 32. This is an exceptional example of the popular Civil War Smith & Wesson army revolver with 6" bbl inscribed "Capt. J. D. Visscher 43rd Regt". This pistol remains in such beautiful condition probably due to the fact that Captain Visscher was killed in the defense of Washington, D.C. July 11, 1864 near Fort Stevens. Based on serial number this gun was made early in the war in 1862. In this same year Visscher was made Captain fo Co. G, 43rd N>Y>V., distinguishing himself at Chancellorville, the Wildnerness, Cold Harbor, Spotsylvania, taking demand of the regiment as Colonel in 1864. This gun retains almost all of its original finish and is as fine an example as you will encounter. Case colors on hammer, trigger and ejector rod. This gun along with original signed CDV of Captain Visscher (which accompanies this lot) is pictured and described in several articles including February 1980 Arms Gazette article by Tom LoPiano, American Society of Arms Collectors article June 2006, and the Journal of Smith & Wesson Collector's Association Spring 1990. All articles detail General Jubal Early's campaign against Washington where the outcome of the war could have easily changed if Early was able to capture Washington, D.C. The battle that occurred at Fort Stevens on the date of Visscher's death consumed about 25% of the 1000 men defending. The action at Fort Stevens marked the only instance in our history where an American president came under direct military attack. Most of the officers who died on that day on the field of battle were buried along with their men interred in shallow graves in the fields outside the fort where they fell. The body of the gallant Colonel Visscher was returned home for a final burial in his native state. A large portfolio of history accompanies this revolver including the signed CDV mentioned before and a first edition 1900 "The Defenses of Washington" by William Cox. The gun has matching assembly numbers, and the SN is stamped on inside of grip. PROVENANCE: Tom LoPiano Collection, Marlan Polhemus Collection. CONDITION: Gun retains about 90-95% of its original bright blue finish on frame, cyl and bbl with staining and 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 retaining almost all their original varnished finish. Mechanically gun functions well with crisp shiny rifling. 4-48737 JS71