AN HISTORIC FACTORY ENGRAVED .36 COLT FOURTH MODEL 1851 NAVY REVOLVER, NO. 98229. FOR 1861

AN HISTORIC FACTORY ENGRAVED .36 COLT FOURTH MODEL 1851 NAVY REVOLVER, NO. 98229. FOR 1861
The sighted octagonal barrel engraved with scrolls and stippled fields, bears the rare engraved motif of a portrait of a bearded man (described in some books as a portrait of Capt. Jack Hays), scroll engraved frame with hand-engraved COLTS PATENT, engraved silver plated trigger guard and backstrap which bears the inscription, hammer with wolf's head motif, To John C. Hays/with Compliments of Col. Colt, ivory grips, original brown leather "California pattern" holster, with a first edition copy of Colonel Jack Hays by James Kimmins Greer, presentation signed by the author to Gaines de Graffenried
7 1/2 inch (19 cm.) barrel
Grey patina overall, flaking and wear to silver plate, ivory grips with fine aged patina
John Coffee Hays, (1817-1884), famous Texas Ranger and Indian fighter. Hays' most historic moment came in 1841 at Enchanted Rock, north of present day Fredricksburg, Texas. Surrounded by Comanche braves, Hays single-handedly fought off thier repeated attacks using the then new Colt Paterson revolver, "the Texas Paterson" (for a similar "Texas Paterson" revolver, see lot 34). This single action did much to establish the initial legend of Colt firearms. After his service in the Mexican War and involvement with the Texas Rangers, Hays traveled to California during the Gold Rush, and soon became sheriff of San Francisco County. Appointed by President Franklin Pierce as Surveyor-General of California, Hays went on to survey and lay-out the City of Oakland, California. (2)