Lot Essay
Colonel John Milton Hathaway served with distinction in the Mexican War, and was appointed Quartermaster General of Connecticut in June, 1857, putting him in charge of orders for Connecticut's military supplies.
Only about 25 Model 1862 Police revolvers were presented under the auspices of Colonel Colt. Of these, about a dozen bore inscriptions only, and were part of the November 1, 1861 group presentation. Of the balance, Nos. 3408, 3409 and 3414 are listed in the Colt Civil War shipping ledgers, with the notation 'Presents for Officers', under the date October 31, 1861. The three pistols had 4½in. barrels, and presumably were given at the same time as the Hathaway revolver, for which no entry was found, due to gaps in the records
Only about 25 Model 1862 Police revolvers were presented under the auspices of Colonel Colt. Of these, about a dozen bore inscriptions only, and were part of the November 1, 1861 group presentation. Of the balance, Nos. 3408, 3409 and 3414 are listed in the Colt Civil War shipping ledgers, with the notation 'Presents for Officers', under the date October 31, 1861. The three pistols had 4½in. barrels, and presumably were given at the same time as the Hathaway revolver, for which no entry was found, due to gaps in the records