Lot 60: Newly Discovered U.S. Colt Model 1847 Walker Revolver (up for Auction)

Auction No. 112 – Session 1
by Amoskeag Auction Co
November 19, 2016, 9:00 AM EST | Manchester, NH, US
Live Auction

Description: serial #B Company No. 45, .44 caliber, 8 ⅞" barrel with good bore that shows rifling its entire length with scattered and patchy light pitting present, moderate in a couple areas.

This revolver was recently discovered in Massachusetts and was sent to Herb Glass, Jr. for a complete evaluation. Mr. Glass studied the revolver for several days and provided a two page letter which states among other things that the revolver is a "Genuine Colt Walker, the existence of which was, apparently, previously unreported".

The revolver shows period alterations and repairs by a frontier gunsmith. These include the conversion to a Navy style rammer latch with the dovetail for the original spring neatly filled and polished so it is nearly invisible. The cylinder pin shows a neatly done brazed repair and the barrel-to-frame fit was tightened by removing the frame pins and relieving the front of the frame which removed the two-digit serial number normally found between the pins. The muzzle of the barrel was neatly trimmed by 1/8" likely due to damage. The cylinder pins were then reversed and mounted within the barrel and fit within corresponding holes in the face of the frame. Glass calls this a most competent repair.

It is interesting to note that the number "51" appears stamped on most parts including the cylinder pin, barrel breech between pins, side of the triggerguard near factory "45", on the side of the buttstrap, on the side of the hammer and on the face of the cylinder. Because this work was done by a frontier gunsmith there would be no need to apply assembly numbers as he would likely only be working on one gun at a time, Mr. Glass feels that these numbers represent the year of the work being completed. The wedge is a Dragoon wedge which is numbered 7499 which interestingly dates to about the 1850-51 period lending more credence to the "51" representing the date of repair work.

Once the repairs and alterations were completed the gun was refinished which has removed the pressure ridge normally found on the cylinder and also has caused some of the original markings to become light or no longer visible. The barrel address is evenly light and only partially legible, under magnification with proper light, most letters are visible. The "1847" above the wedge screw remains legible, the "B" and "45" are visible on the left side of the barrel with the balance of the "B COMPANY NO. 45" being no longer visble. The "B COMPANY No 45" on left side of frame is fully legible. The serial number is also completely legible on the triggerguard and is completely removed from the buttstrap. The "B" and "45" are both visible on the cylinder and "45" is stamped on the front inlet of the grips.

The metal surfaces of the revolver show a deep brown patina with scattered old oxidation present along with some traces of the blue finish which was applied in 1851.

Interestingly the triggerguard shows a good deal of original silverplated finish which is heavily tarnished and is an unusual treatment but according to Glass is not unique as he has other martial Walkers that has their triggerguards originally silveplated.

The grips were varnished at time of refinish and they still retain a good deal of that finish remaining and with significant chips at each toe. Walker revolvers all saw hard service and this example is no exception. Glass notes that the revolver saw hard use resulting in damage and was refurbished on the frontier in 1851 and then returned to service where it acquired considerable wear to the new finish.

This revolver could have very well seen Civil War service and if it did, it would have been most likely used by a Confederate soldier and perhaps was returned to Massachusetts as a war trophy only to be stored away and forgotten about.

Mr. Glass makes it very clear how untouched this revolver is stating "I can state with absolute certainty that this gun had not been fully disassembled since its period of use."

Any Walker revolver is a treasure for the advanced U.S. martial or Colt collector. They have been coveted with serial numbers of known examples recorded by scholars since the forties and fifties. The fact that this revolver was previously unknown and remains in such an honest and untouched state of preservation make this a truly special Walker revolver and an exciting discovery for the Colt collecting fraternity.

On the other hand, this Colt Single Action, which is probably the most engraved and inlayed gun every done, was sold BELOW the auction estimate bid prices. . . it is perhaps the most bizarre engraving ever applied to a firearm in history as well. Commissioned by a collector it is dubbed "The Monster Colt" and depicts teens of monsters throughout its engravings. Made for the 100th Anniversary of the Colt Single Action, it was commissioned to be the fanciest example of the engravers' and gun sculpters' art ever done.

Auction estimates were $60,000 to $80,000 plus buyer's premium, this firearm (it has been disabled from every firing by the engraver to prevent cylinder damage) went for only $50,000 plus buyer's premium, or $60,250.

Never the less, and despite the theme, it is a beautiful work of art. . . in a macabre sort of way. . .

Here is the auction description of the Monster Legacy Colt. . .

Description: serial #1675PC, 44-40, 7 ½" barrel with a new bore.
This is a simply stunning and uniquely themed masterpiece of 20th century gunmaker's art. Conceived by the joint creativity of the original collector that contracted this revolver and the man who executed the work, to say that their quest for something different, stunning and unique was successfully achieved is an understatement.
The revolver features fourteen separate gold, silver and copper sculpted inlays along with deeply chiseled relief engraved scenes and highly sculpted hammer, all in a gothic monster theme.
The revolver is a Peacemaker Centennial and is equipped with a special unfluted cylinder to allow for more surface area to embellish.

The right side of the cylinder shows a relief engraved gold inlay depicting Frankenstein's Monster sitting atop a casket which is inlaid in silver with two bats flying above, one in silver and one in copper.
The left side of the cylinder shows a stunning sculpted gold werewolf in gold with full moon above in copper and some clouds in silver.
The left recoil shield shows a relief engraved gold inlay of Dracula holding his bare breasted victim in his arms, she is in relief silver, her hair is inlaid copper and there is blood dripping from his bite on her neck. Below these inlays is a deeply chiseled bat in flight and behind Dracula is a deeply chiseled castle.
The right recoil shield shows a sculpted silver inlaid skull and gold inlaid spider web above loading gate.
The exterior of the loading gate shows a ferocious relief engraved wolfman face with gold eyes and copper tongue with claws drawn and ready to attack, the inside of the loading gate shows an eye ball with the eye in silver, the iris in gold and the lashes relief engraved, of course there is blood in the corner of the eye.
The recoil shield cutout is engraved with a spider web and gold inlaid spider.
The top of the backstrap has a perfect gold inlaid portrait of Frankenstein with lightning bolt on either side, the center shows a relief engraved spider and the bottom of the backstrap shows a forearm and hand reaching out of a grave.
The right side of the frame shows a relief engraved copper inlaid hearse surrounded in relief scroll with a vulture within the scroll;
the left side of the frame is deep relied scroll engraved with grotesque mask within scroll.
The forward section of frame ahead of cylinder shows a demonic face relief engraved on the left side with gold filled background and with hands folded in chilling pose.
The opposite side shows a creepy hunchback relief engraved with gold filled background.
The top straps are inlaid with relief silver garlic bulbs on one side and copper inlaid rose blossoms on the other.
The barrel shows relief scroll with background of the "COLT FRONTIER SIXSHOOTER" etch filled with gold.
The left side of the barrel shows a gold inlaid pair of glasses and a copper inlaid cigar with silver inlaid ashes and smoke which is of course... the invisible man.
The front sight is pierced and is a truly superb depiction of a roosting vulture.
All of the frame screws as well as the tip of the cylinder pin have added metal and are adorned with ghoulish faces.
The hammer is a highly sculpted gargoyle with deep chiseling and gold accents.
The ejector rod head, triggerguard and muzzle all show detailed gold and silver inlay in geometric patterns.
The grips are the work of James Alaimo, made from pre-ban African ivory at his shop in Connecticut. The grips are bulino engraved with the left side showing the Colt dome with a haunting sky and crescent moon in the background with a bat perched atop the dome and "THE / MONSTER / LEGACY" engraved beneath the dome.
The butt of the grips shows an open vampire mouth with blood on the tips of the fangs.
The right side of the grip is engraved with a depiction of Sam Colt emerging from his coffin with a crescent moon and eery sky in the background and of course, blood on his neck from his vampire bite.
The buttstrap is signed "B. GWINNELL" and the gun comes with a letter from Gwinnell describing the gun and his work.

Gwinnell states in his letter "The engraving of "The Monster Legacy" revolver was an involved and arduous process spanning some eight months to complete, working full time many hours each day.". Gwinnell's sculpted gold inlays are as fine as any done anywhere in the world during any period.
The condition of the gun is as-new, the hammer has been purposely locked in position by the engraver to prevent the cylinder from being turned.
The revolver comes with the Gwinnell letter, detailing the embellishment of the revolver, along with a large mounted photo montage detailing the incredible artistry of the revolver. This is a tremendous opportunity for the well-heeled collector or investor who desires to own unique and world-class objets d'art. A true masterpiece of artistry in arms. {MODERN}

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