Posted on 03/12/2018 2:25:45 PM PDT by Swordmaker
Estimate: $800,000 - $1,300,000
Description: Extremely Well-Documented, Historic and Iconic, Only Known Original Cased Colt Civilian Walker Percussion Revolver
, Known as "The Danish Sea Captain Walker"
Offered here is, without question the rarest, most historic and finest Colt Walker revolver Rock Island Auction Company has had the privilege to offer at auction. Known by the collecting fraternity as the Danish sea captain Walker, it is a type of revolver that gun collectors usually can only fantasize about owning.
The story of the Walker revolver forever changed the course of American history and firearms design. It involves a young gallant U.S. Army officer, Samuel Hamilton Walker, a brilliant second generation inventor and manufacturer, Eli Whitney, Jr., and thrusted a young, unsuccessful (up until this point), but ambitious entrepreneur, one of the first American business tycoons, Col. Samuel Colt, to the forefront of American manufacturing.
The Colt U.S. 1847 Walker Model design was developed by Samuel Colt and influenced by suggestions from the former Texas Ranger Samuel Hamilton Walker who was serving as a captain in the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen. On December 7, 1846, Colt met with President James K. Polk to promote his revolver. President Polk directed Secretary of War William L. Marcy to order 1,000 revolvers from Colt through the Ordnance Department. This order marked the beginning of the relationship between Colt and the U.S. military which exists to this day.
Colt made arrangements for the revolvers to be manufactured by Eli Whitney at the Whitneyville Armory. The original intent was to issue two revolvers per man to the Mounted Rifle Regiment. After filling the 1,000 unit order for the military, a civilian series of Walkers in the serial number range 1001-1100 was put into production for two purposes. The first and most notable was presentation arms which would become a famous tactic used by Colt throughout his illustrious career.
Presentations were made to ranking military personages who could secure important military contracts.
Second was to offer revolvers to the commercial or civilian market in order to get this new, innovative and potent revolver in consumer hands and a conversation started.
This revolver, serial number 1022, was one of the only 100 civilian Walkers manufactured. The revolver has the distinctive half octagon nine inch barrel with German silver front sight blade and hinged round tip loading lever secured by a T-shaped spring. The top barrel flat is stamped “"ADDRESS, SAML. COLT, NEW-YORK CITY".” The barrel lug on the right side is stamped "“U.S./1847".” The Texas Rangers and Indian battle scene is roll engraved on the cylinder which has oval stop slots. The brass square back trigger guard has a distinctive broad base. The back strap is iron.
The serial number is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, bottom of the frame, the rear of the cylinder, the trigger guard, and the back strap. The arbor pin has the number “18,” and the wedge is unnumbered. The revolver properly lacks U.S. military inspection marks.
The oak case is lined in green baize and contains rare accessories: a “COLT’S/PATENT” marked bullet mold, “COLTS PATENT” marked powder and ball flask (more about this accessory later), and question-marked shaped tool.
This is the only known Colt Walker with the original case in existence. The case has brass hardware with steel screws and two compartments with lids featuring turned pulls. The lock plate is stamped “"BUNDGER” and “BARMEN".
” Unable to obtain this revolver for himself, famed firearms collector William Locke reverted to replicating the case for one of his own Walkers, serial number 1004, which is pictured in Frank Seller’s' “The William M. Locke Collection” on page 44.
Accompanying the revolver is a remarkable record of its history handwritten in ink by Samuel Colt himself. The 3 inch x 3 inch card reads in Colt’s own handwriting, "“This Pistol is a correct sample of the Pistols furnished to the U.S. government [and] the Texas Rangers, carried by Cap Walker”" on one side and “"Sold by Blunt & Syms / 44 Chatham New York”" on the other side.
According to Colt historian R.L. Wilson in the book “Magnificent Colts,” “This Walker set is the only known with specific documentation in the inventor’s own handwriting, accompanying the revolver since the day it was sold at Blunt & Syms, New York, c. 1847.” Blunt & Syms was one of the first retailers to sell Colt firearms.
As the story goes, the revolver was purchased by Danish sea Captain Niels Hanson during a trip to New York City (see “The Gun Collectors Letter,” No. 9 March 18, 1947.)
Over the years the revolver was passed down through Captain Hanson’s descendants until purchased by a Danish gun collector. During the Nazi occupation of Denmark, the Walker along with its case were buried in a garden by its then owner.
After the war the Walker resurfaced to be sold in America where it fetched $10,000, a then record price for an American antique firearm.
The revolver set was key to properly identifying the Walker powder flask (see Robin Rapley’'s “Colt Percussion Accoutrements, 1834-1873). From the time the revolver was returned to the United States by Ray Riling in 1951 to when it was photographed for use in R.L. Wilson’s 1971 edition of “The Book of Colt Firearms,” the original Walker powder flask had been substituted with a Dragoon flask. At that time no one had differentiated a Walker flask from a Dragoon flask. The Dragoon flask that now accompanies the revolver is as it has been photographed for nearly half a century.
Over the decades serial number 1022 has been well-documented and is perhaps the most well published percussion Colt:
The revolver was also lent to the Wadsworth Atheneum’s exhibition “Samuel Colt Presents” and illustrated on page 31 of the catalog.
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Walker
BBL: 9 inch part octagon
Stock:
Gauge: .44 percussion
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 1022
Class: Antique
Condition: Exceptionally fine, totally original.
The barrel retains 60% original bright blue finish, the back strap retains 50% original blue finish, and traces of original case colors remain on the hammer, frame, and loading lever, with the balance a smooth gray patina. There is some minor pitting, heavier on the right side of the barrel lug. All of the original cylinder scene remains. The markings are clear. The brass trigger guard has an untouched appearance. The grip is fine showing some minor scratches. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good showing a slightly wrapped lid and some minor handling/storage marks. The case is missing a left closure hook, and the faded lining has some insect damage and wear. Not bad for a case that was buried in garden to keep it hidden from the Nazis! The powder flask has a small dent near the top and retains 70% original brown lacquer.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own an intriguing, well-documented Colt revolver and a milestone moment in the history of Colt firearms collecting.
This revolver has all of the historical significance, rarity, and provenance one dreams of finding! Where else will you find a Colt firearm documented by Samuel Colt himself!
Provenance: Niels Hanson and his descendants, Robert Halter, Larry Sheerin, Herb Glass, Sr., R.E. Hable, William Foxley, and Robert M. Lee
This is certainly one I drooled over, but could never afford.
I’ll take two.
Description: Historic, Finest Reported Known, Documented U.S. Contract Martially Inspected New Haven Arms Company Henry Lever Action Rifle with History
This extraordinary Henry Lever Action Rife was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co. in November 1863 as part of an 800 rifle order by the Ordnance Department for Henry rifles to arm the 1st District of Columbia Volunteer Cavalry Regiment (DC Cavalry). The DC Cavalry was the only unit in the Federal Army armed entirely with Henry rifles. The 800 Henry rifles purchased for issue to the D.C. Cavalry were in the 3000-4000 serial number range and were stamped with the final inspection mark of Ordnance Sub-Inspector Charles G. Chapman (C.G.C.) on the right side of the barrel and right side of the stock. These rifles were also stamped with the "H" New Haven Arms Co. Sub-inspection mark on the right side of the barrel and receiver. Most of the DC Cavalry Henry rifles were not equipped with a sling swivel or loop for sling hook which were extra cost items in 1863. In March 1864, the DC Cavalry was issued 783 of the 800 rifles purchased by the Ordnance Department in November 1863.
During the winter of 1864-65, the Federal Army raised at least three Veteran Volunteer Infantry (VVI) Regiments. The VVI regiments were recruited from veteran soldiers and were armed with Henry, Spencer and Sharps rifles. The VVI regiments were an elite corps commanded by General Winfield Scott Hancock. As an incentive to enlist, the soldiers in the VVI regiments were allowed to keep their issue Henry, Spencer and Sharps rifles when they mustered out of service. In April-May 1865, the Ordnance Department purchased 627 Henry rifles from the New Haven Arms Co. for issue to the VVI regiments. Most of these rifles were in the 7000-9000 serial number range and lacked the distinctive "C.G.C." inspection marks found on the 800 Henry rifles purchased for the DC Cavalry.
Read more, with more photos at the site: Lot 7: New Haven Arms Co. Henry Rifle Rifle 44 Henry RF.
It was generally regarded as the world’s most powerful handgun all the way to the advent of the .357 magnum in the 1930s. Beautiful piece...
What a beautiful Walker. I have a Uberti replica Walker that I load with 50 grains of black powder (the chambers will hold 60) and fire occasionally. Until the advent of the .375 in the 1930s, the Walker was the most powerful handgun in the World.
I have one too. You have a typo it is .357 not .375.
Oh boy, it is .357. I must have had the .375 .36 cal Colt on my mind.
Description: Extraordinary, Finest Known Factory Cased Remington-Rider Double Action New Model Belt Revolver
Remington-Rider Double-Action New Model Belt Revolver with factory case and accessories manufactured c. 1865. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the early legend: "MANUFACTURED BY REMINGTONS ILION, N.Y/RIDERS. PT. AUG. 17, 1858, MAY 9, 1859". The serial number "3049" is stamped on the underside of the barrel. The six-shot cylinder is stamped with the assembly number "11" on the rear face.
The revolver has the high polish Remington blue on the barrel, frame, loading lever and cylinder. The hammer is color casehardened, the trigger and cylinder pin are niter blue, and the brass trigger guard is silver-plated. The two-piece walnut grips have a varnished finish.
The revolver has a factory mahogany American-style case with five compartments and red velvet lining. The case contains: (1) rare 250 count tin of Eley Bros percussion caps with orange label that reads: "Made expressly for Remington's Belt and Pocket Pistols", (2) American Flask and Cap Co., medium size powder flask with fixed charger embossed on both sides with a hunting dog and game birds, (3).36 caliber iron double cavity bullet mold with unmarked spruce cutter and "J" stamped on the right block, and (4) iron slotted cleaning rod with turned maple handle.
This revolver is pictured and described on page 72 of "THE GUNS OF REMINGTON" by Howard Madus. Remington manufactured nearly 5000 Rider DA New Model Revolvers between 1863 and 1873. Factory cased examples are very rare.
Read more and see more photographs on the Auction site: Lot 114: Extraordinary, Finest Known Factory Cased Remington-Rider Double Action Percussion Revolver
They called it a Dragoon in Rooster Cogburn. . . which was technically correct as the soldiers it was first issued to were called Dragoons. Rangers secondly.
Should it come with wheels on it? ;-)
Ok, how about a FR “time share”? 40 of us, $25,000 each, and you get it nine days every year?
Maybe, they are a heavy piece to carry in a belt holster. Here's mine:
Love it.
I have a Uberti replica that I built from a kit.
Very nice.
However, I would be willing to overlook that tiny flaw if someone wanted to gift this one to me ...
Hey, they accept American Express! Wonder if mine or most anyone’s would cover even the minimum bid?
Description: Documented and Cased J.J. Adams Signed, Master Engraved, and Gold Inlaid Colt Second Generation Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver
This very attractive revolver includes a letter from Adams & Adams signed by John J. Adams Sr. that authenticates that he performed the engraving on this 1851 Navy with "Coverage full & 22 Kt. Gold inlay borders & animals & scroll/gold plated trigger guard & back straps/Finish Blue/Grips custom made Burl grips" on January 12, 2013. It has nearly full coverage engraving aside from sections of the loading arm, 2 1/2 inches of the barrel, and the front grip strap. There is gold filled scroll work at the muzzle and breech of the barrel, gold filled borders, and eight gold inlaid animals.
The cylinder has the Navy battle scene and is marked "Engraved by W.L. Ormsby New York" just below the gold bordered "COLT'S PATENT No 9067" marking with "ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843" above the battle scene. Adams' signature is located just above the serial number on the bottom of the barrel lug. The trigger guard, butt, and back strap are gold plated and have intricate scroll work throughout and a dog's head at the top of the strap. The top of the barrel has the New York address, and the left side of the frame is marked "COLTS/PATENT".
It comes set in a wooden case with red velvet lining that also contains the key and a brass bullet mold for ball or mini-ball bullets marked "5273" with a casehardened plate.
To read and see more photos, go to the Auction site: Lot 782: Colt 1851 black powder Revolver 36 percussion.
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