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Cased Lap Desk of Two English Proofed Post Civil War Colt Model 1849 Percussion Pocket Revolvers Ins

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
Cased Lap Desk of Two English Proofed Post Civil War Colt Model 1849 Percussion Pocket Revolvers Ins
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Cased Lap Desk of Two English Proofed Post Civil War Colt Model 1849 Percussion Pocket Revolvers Inscribed to Confederate General and U.S. Senator Randall Lee Gibson with Accessories and Presidential Pardon -A) Colt Model 1849 Revolver


A) This lot consists of two Colt Model 1849 revolvers inscribed to Confederate General and U.S. Senator Randall Lee Gibson. The back strap on both revolvers is inscribed "Gen. R.L. Gibson C.S.A./New Orleans." Born at Spring Hill, Kentucky, on September 10, 1832, Randall Lee Gibson grew up on his father's plantation in Terrebonne parish. He graduated from Yale college in 1853 and went on to study law at the University of Louisiana in New Orleans. Gibson became heavily involved in the pro-secession faction of the Democratic Party and was an aide-de-camp to Governor Moore before entering the Confederate Army in March 1861 as a Captain in the First Louisiana Artillery. By the late summer of 1861, he was commissioned as a Colonel in the Thirteenth Louisiana Infantry. In April of 1862 Gibson and his men participated in the Hornet's Nest during the Battle of Shiloh. The Hornet's Nest was a position on the battlefield where Union forces held off fierce Confederate attacks. Ordered by General Braxton Bragg, Gibson led his brigade in three unsupported attacks on the Hornet's Nest. Union guns nearly destroyed Gibbon's brigade and his failure to overcome heavy Union fire resulted in Bragg calling Gibson "an arrant coward." Although the Union line ultimately collapsed at the Hornet's Nest, their sacrifice allowed General Grant time to regroup his scattered and retreating army and establish a new defense. Gibson went on to fight in the subsequent campaigns of the Army of Tennessee, which ended with the Battle of Spanish Fort. In January 1864, he was promoted to Brigadier General. He and his men fought with distinguish at the Spanish Fort. Leading a force of 2,500 men, Gibson was able to resist a siege until the last moment before escaping at night. Gen. Richard Taylor commented, "Gibson's stubborn defense and skillful retreat make this one of the best achievements of the war." After the war, Gibson practiced law at New Orleans until he was elected as a Louisiana Democrat in the House of Representatives in 1875 and then elected as a U.S. Senator in 1882 which he served as until his death in 1892. During his postbellum political career, Gibson deplored the gap between the rich and poor, fought for a reformist public school agenda that included federal funding, petitioned for levee construction and other flood control measures, and sought common ground between the extreme political positions of his era. The "A" revolver was manufactured in 1864 and the "B" revolver was manufactured in 1868. Standard one line New York barrel address on the top barrel flat, "COLTS/PATENT" on the left side of the frame (this marking is double stamped on the "A" revolver), "31 CAL" on the trigger guard and the stagecoach holdup scene roll-engraved on the cylinder. The left side of the barrel lug is marked with "crown/V' and "crown/GP" proof marks with the two alternating between each chamber on the cylinder. The matching serial number is marked on the barrel, frame, trigger guard and back strap with the partial serial number on the barrel wedge, cylinder and arbor pin. Blue finish with casehardened hammer, frame and loading lever and fitted with a smooth one piece varnished walnut grip. The revolvers are cased in a leatherette English lap desk with accessories. The top of the case has a folding brass handle and the interior has a lid compartment cover marked "W. LEUCHARS/38 PICADILLY LONDON." The brass circular turn lock has the W. Leuchars marking along with "M/592." There is a side compartment containing an ink case, a light case, and a Leroy W. Fairchild pen with case. The main compartment has folding covers featuring a silk line portfolio with the other side retaining three ivory mounted writing tools. The French style navy blue velvet fitted interior retains the two revolvers, an unmarked powder flask, a steel Colt's patent two cavity bullet mold, a screwdriver and an Eley cap tin. With this lot is a Gibbon's official Presidential pardon which is dated Sept. 25, 1866. The pardon has been laminated.

Manufucture: Colt
Model: 1849
BBL: 4 inch octagon
Stock:
Guage: 31 percussion
Finish: blue/casehardened/silver
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 252675

Very good. The revolver retains traces of original blue finish and case colors with a mottled brown-gray patina on the balance. The grip straps retain traces of original silver plating with the exposed brass having a pleasant mellow patina. Most of the cylinder scene remains. The grip is very fine showing some minor handling marks. The case is very fine showing some scuffs and handling marks. The accessories are very good or better.

B) As described in "A."

Manufucture: Colt
Model: 1849
BBL: 4 inch octagon
Stock:
Guage: 31 percussion
Finish: blue/casehardened/silver
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 304492

Very good. The revolver has a smooth brown-gray patina with the barrel retaining traces of original blue finish and the loading lever retaining traces of original case colors. The grip straps have a pleasant patina. Traces of the cylinder scene remain. The grip is very fine with a chip missing from the bottom (right side) and some minor handling marks.