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Confederate Cavalry Officer's Inscribed Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,600.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
Confederate Cavalry Officer's Inscribed Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver
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This Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver was manufactured during the Civil War in 1863. The revolver back strap is period inscribed: "B.F. Winfield 13th Regt Va. Cav.". Documents that accompany the revolver indicate that Benjamin F. Winfield was a major in the 13th Virginia, Cavalry Regiment. Benjamin Winfield recruited Company D of the 13th Virginia Cavalry in Sussex County, Virginia, and served as Captain of D Company when it mustered into service in April 1862. Winfield was promoted to Major on December 19, 1863, and served with the 13th Virginia Cavalry until the regiment surrendered with the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House on April, 9, 1865. The 13th Virginia Cavalry was part of W.H.F. Lee's Brigade of General J.E.B. Stuart's Cavalry Division, Army of Northern Virginia, from 1862-1865. The regiment fought in every significant cavalry engagement in the east from 1863 onward. The regiment's battle honors include Kelly's Ford, Brandy Station, Middleburg, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, North Anna, Haw's Shop, Cold Harbor, the Siege of Petersburg and Appomattox Court House. Captain Winfield was in command of the regiment during the decisive cavalry action at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863. The 13th Virginia Cavalry had 289 troopers in the saddle at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863, and surrendered at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, with 10 officers and 78 enlisted men. The 13th Virginia Cavalry was a hard-fighting regiment that was engaged in every significant battle the Army of Northern Virginia fought from Fredericksburg to Appomattox. The revolver has the standard a blue and casehardened finish with silver-plated brass trigger guard, back strap and one piece walnut grips. The six-inch barrel has a dovetail mounted, nickel-silver front sight and loading cut-out with beveled edge. The six-shot cylinder is roll-engraved with the Stagecoach Holdup scene and "COLT' S PATENT". The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the final style barrel marking: "ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA" in one line reading toward the breech. "COLTS/PATENT" is roll-stamped in two lines on the left side of the frame. The full serial number, "232419" is located on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The partial serial number, "32419" is stamped on the cylinder and wedge. "2419" is stamped on the loading lever and cylinder pin. All of the serial numbers match. Six deep grooves have been filed in the top of the barrel perpendicular to the axis of the bore; the significance of the marks is unknown.
BBL: 6.0 In
Stock:
Gauge: 31 percussion
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 232419
Condition: Good. The revolver shows hard service and retains only traces of the original finish in protected areas. The frame, barrel ad cylinder appear have been cleaned long ago and have a silver-gray patina with scattered scratches and very light pitting. Part of the "NEW-YORK AMERICA" marking on the barrel has been obliterated by the grooves filed in the barrel. The cylinder retains half of the Stagecoach Holdup scene. The cylinder pins are battered and the percussion nipples have moderate to heavy flash pitting. The grips show moderate to heavy wear with handling marks, rounded heels and a small chips on both sides of the junction of the back strap and trigger guard. The inscription is professional, period engraving and remains crisp. The action is tight and functions well. This is a scarce example of a Confederate Cavalry officer's Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver that may have been carried by Major Benjamin Winfield in some of the hardest fought battles of the Civil War.