Image Lot Price Description







3167
$0.00

RARE FACTORY ENGRAVED COLT M-1851 PERCUSSION NAVY REVOLVER INSCRIBED TO CAPTAIN JULIUS HAYDEN, LATER BRIGADIER GENERAL.

SN 63812. This is a fine “as found” Colt Navy orig manufactured in 1856. This gun was originally manufactured under the U.S. Military contract and was rejected for unknown reasons. Sam Colt, being the frugal businessman that he was, put burl grips on the gun, had it engraved, and likely sold it to the public. Most parts have inspector’s initials and a small “U.S.” is found on left side of frame beneath “COLT’S PATENT”. This exact gun is written about on page 85 of Nathan L. Swayze’s book “’51 Colt Navies”. Regardless, this is a engraved and inscribed Colt Navy carried by Julius Hayden who saw continuous service in the U.S. Army as an officer from 1850 to 1870. The backstrap is inscribed “Captn. J. Hayden. U.S.A.”- with the U.S.A standing for United States Army. Captain Hayden was orig commissioned in the 2nd U.S. Infantry seeing service in the west until the Civil War when he was commissioned into the Field and Staff of the 10th U.S. Infantry in the Army of the Potomac. Captain Hayden advanced through the ranks and by the time of the Battle of Gettysburg, he was Inspector General of the 3rd Corp. He is cited in several references as personally leading the 3rd AC to the Gettysburg battlefield as he was acquainted with the terrain. Lt. Col. Hayden was cited by Major General French of the 3rd Army Corps for distinguished and conspicuous ability. Hayden was indeed brevetted Brigadier General for gallant and meritorious service during the Civil War. There are over 100 pgs of copied records of Bvt. Brig-General Julius Hayden outlining his war service beginning in the Mexican War, wounded during this war, with his first promotion in 1850 to Captain until his retirement in 1870. This is a rarely offered inscribed and engraved Colt to a regular U.S. Army officer in fine unaltered matching condition. CONDITION: Gun appears all-orig with matching SNs. Full-coverage engraving of bbl, frame, backstrap, and trigger guard even include screws with exception of hammer screw and wedge screw which appear to be contemporary replacements with matching patina. Metal overall is gray/plum with fairly sharp edges with edge wear. Cyl shows traces of naval battle scene with an old repaired chamber which is barely detectable without close scrutiny. Backstrap and trigger guard retain about 50% of their orig silver plating and hold a fine varnished 1-pc burl grips. Mechanically, revolver functions well with well discerned rifling in bore. This gun no doubt was carried by Hayden throughout the Civil War. 49622-6 JS (16,000-25,000) – Lot 3167

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Auction: Firearms - October 2015
Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.