2232

IDENTIFIED CONFEDERATE COLT HARTFORD NAVY REVOLVER.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
IDENTIFIED CONFEDERATE COLT HARTFORD NAVY REVOLVER.
SN 94314. Cal. 36. This is a standard configuration Colt Navy revolver made at the beginning of the Civil War in 1860. The soldier's name "P.J. Esnard" and unit "WLI" are found contemporarily carved into grips. "WLI" denotes Washington Light Infantry of Charleston, SC., which was a famous pre-war militia unit that saw service in all American conflicts to date, starting with the War of 1812, and were most prominent during the Civil War. Peter J. Esnard is found on the rolls of the WLI in 1856 but his war time service is unknown, though according to a large file of genealogical data Peter Jean Esnard is found to have applied for a letter of marque in Charleston on May 7, 1861. Peter's father was a well known antebellum plantation owner in the Caribbean with most of his children settling in South Carolina and Georgia. This gun is in fine "as found" condition exhibiting strong traces of bright blue finish, a nearly complete cylinder scene, some case colors, most orig silver plate and most of its orig varnish. This is a superior condition Confederate inscribed Colt. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall, all matching. Bbl retains 5% or so bright orig blue finish with balance plum with numerous small nicks and dents around wedge slot and scattered staining and light pitting. Cylinder has traces of blue finish, complete cylinder scene though obscured by areas of staining and pitting, as can be seen in photos. Frame shows traces of bright case colors with balance silver gray. Silver plating on backstrap and trigger guard is about 90% intact with about a 1" area of trigger guard showing numerous small nicks and gouges from a sharp tool. Grips are very good and sound overall, retaining 80-90% of their orig varnish, varnish is lost at edges and where carved. Mechanically gun not indexing properly and may need simple internal correction of hand. 4-48710 JS5