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Outstanding Documented Confederate Colt Model 1851 Percussion Navy Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:17,000.00 USD Estimated At:35,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
Outstanding Documented Confederate Colt Model 1851 Percussion Navy Revolver
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Outstanding Documented Confederate Colt Model 1851 Percussion Navy Revolver

This is an outstanding example of a Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver that was manufactured in 1861. The top barrel flat is marked "--ADDRESS COL SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA--", the left side of the frame is marked "COLTS/PATENT". The matching serial number is marked on the barrel, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The partial serial number "3859" on the loading lever and "03859" on the wedge. The cylinder is roll engraved with the naval battle scene. Blue finished barrel, casehardened loading lever, frame and hammer and silver plated brass trigger guard and back strap. Fitted with a smooth one piece varnished walnut grip. This revolver comes with a signed and notarized affidavit from William Hodges Baker III stating that this revolver was the personal property of his Great-Great-Great Uncle James Gregory Hodges who was a Colonel for the Confederacy in the Civil War. The Colonel was born December 25, 1828 in Portsmouth, Virginia, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He was a physician and served as Mayor of Portsmouth. In 1856 he was commissioned Colonel of the 3rd Virginia Volunteers, a state militia unit which was mustered to serve in the Confederacy on April 20, 1861. In May of 1861, the Governor of Virginia appointed him command of the newly formed 14th Virginia Infantry. At the Battle of Antietam, the Colonel was listed as the Commander of Armistead's Brigade at Sharpsburg. Commanding the 14th Virginia in Armistead's Brigade, Pickett's Division, Longstreet's Corps, Colonel Hodges was killed leading his men in the Vanguard of Pickett's charge during the battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863. According to a letter sent to Colonel Hodges' widow 40 years after the battle from Captain John D.S. Cook of the 18th New York Regiment of Volunteers (known in service as the 20th New York New York State Militia), Colonel Hodges "fell at the stone fence, within less than one hundred and fifty feet of the Federal line directly in front of said New York Regiment". Hodges was one of eight Confederate Colonels who lost their lives in Pickett's charge and he belonged to one of the only Confederate Brigades which broke the Union line that day. The specific burial site of Col. Hodges is currently unknown but was reported to be in the field near where he fell. Hodges remains were probably removed in 1872 and buried in the "Gettysburg Dead" section of Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. A government grave marker for the Colonel exists in Cedar Grove cemetery at Portsmouth, Virginia. The affidavit states that this Colt 1851 Navy serial number 103859 "belonged to my great-great-great uncle Confederate Colonel James Gregory Hodges, and has been in my family ever since he was killed in Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg on 3 July 1863. Although Colonel Hodges had two sons, they both died childless (the last, William Wilson Hodges in 1893) and the pistol remained in the possession of the Colonel's widow until she died in the Twentieth Century. They passed to my grandfather, William Hodges Baker, on her death, to my father, William Hodges Baker Jr., on my grandfather's death and to me on my Mother's death." The affidavit further states that "The Hodges and Baker families came together after the War between the States when Colonel Hodges' niece Susan Green Hodges (through his brother, William Henry Harrison Hodges) married my great grandfather William Tilford Baker (son of my great, great grandfather, Confederate Brigadier General Laurence Simmons Baker). The affidavit is notarized and signed by William Hodges Baker III (a direct descendant of James Gregory Hodges) on 12/11/08. The affidavit affirms that this Colt revolver was owned by Colonel Hodges. The Colonel is immortalized in James F. Crocker's "Colonel James Gregory Hodges, His Life and Character: Address Before Stonewall Camp, Confederate Veterans, Portsmouth, Virginia, June 18th, 1909." Crocker, a Confederate officer who was wounded and taken prisoner in Pickett's charge, praised Hodges' leadership at Pickett's Charge: "Col. Hodges led his regiment in this memorial charge with conspicuous courage and gallantry. He was an able and experienced officer. His devotion to his official duties was never surpassed. His regiment was never in the presence of the enemy without his being in command?He sleeps in the trenches with those who made that charge of Pickett's division immortal." Colonel James Gregory Hodges is listed in the War of the Rebellion, the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. More information on the Hodges family is housed at the Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, which has the Hodges Family Papers of generations from 1753 to 1981. Most of the collection centers on the Civil War era. Due to the remarkable condition, writer believes this revolver was not with him at the time of death.

Manufucture: Colt
Model: 1851 Navy
BBL: 7 1/2 inch octagon
Stock:
Guage: 36 percussion
Finish: blue/casehardened/silver
Grips: varnished walnut
Serial Number: 103859

Excellent. The barrel retains 97% of the bright original high polished blue finish. There are some minor cleaning scratches on the left rear, high edge wear and some minor spotting. The frame and loading lever retain 98% of the original bright case colors. The hammer shows 50% plus of the original faded case colors with the balance having a smooth gray patina. The cylinder scene is 100% visible, crisp and clear. The trigger guard retains 98% original silver plating which is beginning to darken with age mainly in the area of the bow. The back strap retains 90% original silver plating, dark at the top and showing even wear overall with an aged patina on the exposed brass. The grips are excellent with 97% original varnish remaining. There are a number of small pressure dents on each side and some minor lower edge wear. The action needs work, the hammer does not hold a cock position, (this, writer believes is why the revolver is excellent). The markings are sharp and clear. An excellent Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver with affidavit showing ownership by a Confederate Colonel who died during the Battle of Gettysburg.