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Details
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)
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)
Provenance
Col. Jack Hays
Decendants of Col. Jack Hays
Kjel Storedollen
Decendants of Col. Jack Hays
Kjel Storedollen
Literature
Conger, Roger N., Texas Collector: Gaines de Graffenried, Texian Press, Waco, 1987, pages 28-9.
Knowles, Thomas W., They Rode for the Lone Star: The Saga of the Texas Rangers, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, 1999, page 152.
Knowles, Thomas W., They Rode for the Lone Star: The Saga of the Texas Rangers, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, 1999, page 152.
Special notice
Notice Regarding the Sale of Ivory and Tortoiseshell
Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing ivory or tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.
Sale room notice
This revolver was shipped from the Colt Factory in 1861 to Peale & Co. of Vicksburg Virginia, not listed as engraved, 50 revolvers in shipment.