Lot 3074 : Important and Historic Double Cased Set of Presentation Inscribed Civil War Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers with Ivory Grips -A) Colt Model 1851 Navy RevolverB) Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver

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Important and Historic Double Cased Set of Presentation Inscribed Civil War Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers with Ivory Grips -A) Colt Model 1851 Navy RevolverB) Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver

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Double cased pair of Civil War Presentation-Inscribed of Colt M1851 Navy revolvers. "We are fighting a brave foe", wrote Lt. Col ,James O'Brien of the 48th Massachusetts Volunteers to the Honorable P.J. Stone, Mayor of Charlestown, Massachusetts, on May 18,1862. "A foe inspired with that desperation of purpose, which, whether in a right or wrong cause, always inspires an invaded people." With an equally resolute sense of purpose and honor O'Brien set about to raise a regiment, the 48th Irish Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers on December 6, 1862. Due to the immediate need for troops his regiment was consolidated with other non-Irish units. This consolidation resulted in O'Brien's being placed second-in-command which caused desertion in the ranks. O'Brien, a respected Charlestown, Massachusetts, politician, was instrumental in averting the dissolution of the regiment. These revolvers were presented to Lt. Col. O'Brien at Fanueil Hall, Boston, prior to his embarkation for New Orleans. The back straps of both revolvers are engraved with the inscription: "Lieut. Col. James O'Brien. 48.th Reg. Mass. V.M.". The guns were originally featured in the May, 1963, issue of GUN REPORT. A subsequent December, 1984, GUN REPORT article entitled: "TWO COVER GUNS REVISITED: O'BRIEN'S COLTS" fully documented the history of the brave Irish colonel who was killed leading an attack on at Port Hudson, Louisiana on May 27th, 1863. The cased revolvers have several unique and interesting features: the 14 1/2" by 16 1/2" custom-made mahogany, American style case is lined with blue velvet and has seventeen compartments with wooden dividers that include compartments for twenty packets of six cartridges. The brass lock is stamped: "EMPIRE/C.L.C.", ("Empire Works", a New York City, firm that subsequently made stocks for the U.S. Model 1861 "Trenton" contract rifle-musket. Revolver number 93358 has checkered ivory grips, and the other, serial number 93371 has a plain pair. The casing is complete with the following accessories: (1) two American Flask & Cap Co., "Coat of Arms" pattern powder flasks, (1) a iron, double cavity bullet molds marked "COLT'S/PATENT" in two lines on the spruce cutter, (3) two blued, L- shaped nipple wrenches, (4) two brown lacquered 250-cap tins of Eley percussion caps with green paper labels, (5) six spare percussion nipples, (6) a spare brass front sight blade, (7) assorted .36 caliber lead balls and conical bullets and (8) ten six-round packages of assorted .36 caliber cartridges manufactured by Colt, D.C. Sage and American Powder Co. The Fourth Model M1851 Navy revolvers were manufactured in 1860 and have large oval brass trigger guards and recoil shields without capping channels. The revolvers have brass front sight blades dove-tailed to the barrels. The hammers of both revolvers have bordered, oval, knurling on the spurs. Both revolvers are stamped with an apostrophe below the serial number on the frames, trigger guards and back straps which indicates that they were designated for special finish and ivory grips at the Colt factory. The metal surfaces of the revolvers had received the extra polishing for the presentation which most likely would have included factory engraving. The revolvers were not engraved probably because of the emergency nature of the regiment's call up before full complement was reached. We believe the revolvers were subsequently factory refinished. The barrel address and cylinder scene have been polished and it appears that the revolvers were re-polished and re-blued for the presentation. Although the revolvers are not engraved, the ivory grips and highly polished blue finish are clearly indicative of high quality presentation revolvers. The revolver barrels are roll-stamped with the Colt Hartford address and the left side of the frames have the "COLTS/PATENT" markings. Both cylinders are roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene. Upon arrival in New Orleans, the 48th Massachusetts was heavily engaged and defeated at a small crossroads called Plains Store. Lieutenant Colonel O'Brien, although complimented by the general command for his bravery in action, was criticized for a mistake which partly caused the defeat. In an effort to redeem himself, Lt. Col. O'Brien volunteered to lead selected volunteers for a "Forlorn Hope" attack on the Confederate defenses of Port Hudson in advance of the of the general assault on May 2, 1862. O'Brien was at the head of troops, and evidentially turned to wave on his men. He "recklessly exposed himself and lost his life in so doing, seeking to retrieve himself from General Augur's kindly criticism of his mistakes of the 21st at Plains Store. We have more information on this lot contact us for more info.B) Described in A.

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