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Rare U.S. Colt Model 1847 Walker Revolver No. 26 Issued to Texas Ranger "C" Company Samuel Walkers O

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:47,500.00 USD Estimated At:95,000.00 - 140,000.00 USD
Rare U.S. Colt Model 1847 Walker Revolver No. 26 Issued to Texas Ranger  C  Company Samuel Walkers O
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Estimate: $95000 - 140000
This is a rare example of a U.S. Colt Walker Model 1847 revolver marked "C COMPANY No 26" that was manufactured in 1847. This revolver is listed by serial number on page 79 of "THE COLT WHITNEYVILLE-WALKER PISTOL" by Robert D. Whittington III as one of the 150 surviving U.S. Colt Walker Models identified by Whittington in 1984. The Colt Walker Model revolver was designed in 1846 by Samuel Colt with suggestions by Captain Samuel H. Walker of the U.S. Mounted Rifle Regiment Texas Rangers. This "C Company No 26" revolver was part of a contract for 1,000 Colt Walker Model revolvers signed by Secretary of War William L. Marcy on January 6, 1847. Even more imporant is C Company was Samuel Walkers own company, and his C compnay were the first to be issued these revolvers making it serial number 26! Because Samuel Colt had no manufacturing facility, he assigned the contract to Eli Whitney Jr., who manufactured the revolvers at the Whitneyville Armory. The U.S. Contract Walker Model revolvers were marked with A-E Company designations with the serial number beginning at "1" for each company. Companies A-D revolvers were numbered from 1-220. The 1st Regiment, Texas Mounted Volunteers received the initial issue of 214 C Company marked Walker Model revolvers at Vera Cruz, Mexico on October 19, 1847. An additional 280 A and B Company marked Walker Revolvers were issued to the Texas Mounted Volunteers and the U.S. Mounted Rifles during the Mexican War. The remaining 500 Walker Model revolvers were issued to the 2nd Dragoon Regiment and federalized Texas Rangers on the Texas frontier between 1849-1850. Nearly all of the U.S. Contract Walker Model revolvers saw hard service in the field. The massive Walker Model revolver has a half-round barrel with nickel-silver front sight blade. The wedge enters the barrel lug from the right side. The loading lever has a rounded end and is held in position by a T-shaped spring mounted on the bottom of the barrel. The 2 7/16 inch six shot cylinder has oval cylinder stops and a single locking pin. The trigger and cylinder stop screws do not pass completely through the right side of the frame. The frame has cut-outs at the back that match the forward contour of the one-piece black walnut "Slim Jim" grips. The brass square back trigger guard has a distinctive flared bottom. The top of the barrel is roll stamped "ADDRESS. SAML COLT. NEW-YORK CITY" reading from the breech to the muzzle. The cylinder is roll engraved with the Ranger and Indian fight scene and "MODEL U.S.M.R./COLT'S PATENT". "C COMPANY No. 26" is roll stamped on the bottom of the back strap. The serial number "26" is visible on the rear face of the barrel lug, the bottom of the cylinder arbor pin and the right side of the grip strap beneath the grip. The revolver was professionally refinished and overhauled for shooting in the 1920-1930s (the R.F. Sedgley Co. restored several Walker Model revolvers during this period). The barrel lug and forcing cone have been milled to minimize gas leakage and a rear sight has been mounted on the rear of the barrel. The barrel, frame and backstrap are blue. The loading lever and hammer retain the casehardened finish and cylinder is correctly in the white. The brass trigger guard is correctly not plated. The one-piece walnut grip is varnished. Most of the original "C Company 26" markings were removed when the revolver was restored. The barrel legend, "C COMPANY No. 26" is visible on the bottom of the grips strap and the "COLT/U.S.M.R." markings on the cylinder are intact. The wedge and several frame and grip screws are replacements but the major components are all original.
BBL: 9.0 In
Stock:
Gauge: 44 percussion
Finish: blue/casehardenend
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 26
Condition: Fine as refurbished many years ago by Sedgley.The barrel retains 75% of the bright blue finish that is very close to the military blue found on U.S. contract Colt revolvers. There is finish loss and light pitting on the top and right side of the barrel and on the top flats and right side of the lug. Some of the pitting is on the top flat but the legend is completely legible. The frame has a blue finish with a small area of pitting on the right side at the junction with the grip. The cylinder retains 60% of the Ranger and Indian scene and "COLT/U.S.M.R." markings. The back strap has a mottled steel gray patina with scattered pitting. The hammer and loading lever retain most of the dove gray casehardened finish. The brass trigger guard has an attractive patina. The walnut grip is excellent and retains 70% of the high polish varnish finish with some flaking on the grip sides and heels. The grips on this Walker are some of the best we have ever seen and are totally orginal! This is a good looking example of a C Company U.S. Contract Walker Model revolver that almost certainly saw action with the Texas Mounted Volunteers during the Mexican War and possibly subsequent use on the Southwestern Frontier. The pre-WWII restoration does not detract from the desirability and history of this revolver - it would be a fine addition to any Colt or U.S. Martial Arm Collection.