Lot 282
282
AN EXTREMELY RARE BOOK CASED COLT PRESENTATION 1862 MODEL POLICE PERCUSSION REVOLVER, No. 25624/E for 1863, inscribed on the grip-strap in Gustave Young script 'H.B. Hayes Esq. With compliments of Col. Hazard', engraved with Gustave Young style scrollwork on the 5½in. barrel, frame, hammer (wolf head), grip-strap, trigger-guard and wedge, with a weasel head in profile on the right side of the barrel lug, varnished figured walnut grips, matching numbers and most of its original blued, case-hardened and silvered finish, with some flaking characteristic of the period: in fitted case with dark brown leather cover embossed and gilt in the 'George Washington' pattern, on the spine, the title 'Colt On The Constitution Higher Law And Irrepressible Conflict', below this 'Dedicated By The Author To', and at the base 'Jan.y 1st 1861', lined in burgundy velvet, with accessories including American eagle and shield flask and high gloss blued bullet mould, and in very fine condition throughout

Details
AN EXTREMELY RARE BOOK CASED COLT PRESENTATION 1862 MODEL POLICE PERCUSSION REVOLVER, No. 25624/E for 1863, inscribed on the grip-strap in Gustave Young script 'H.B. Hayes Esq. With compliments of Col. Hazard', engraved with Gustave Young style scrollwork on the 5½in. barrel, frame, hammer (wolf head), grip-strap, trigger-guard and wedge, with a weasel head in profile on the right side of the barrel lug, varnished figured walnut grips, matching numbers and most of its original blued, case-hardened and silvered finish, with some flaking characteristic of the period: in fitted case with dark brown leather cover embossed and gilt in the 'George Washington' pattern, on the spine, the title 'Colt On The Constitution Higher Law And Irrepressible Conflict', below this 'Dedicated By The Author To', and at the base 'Jan.y 1st 1861', lined in burgundy velvet, with accessories including American eagle and shield flask and high gloss blued bullet mould, and in very fine condition throughout
10½in.
Provenance
McMurdo Silver
Leonard A. Busby
William M. Locke
Jerry D. Berger
Literature
R.L. Wilson, Colt Firearms from 1836, p. 137
The Book of Colt Engraving, p. 98
F. Theodore Dexter, 'Catalogue of the McMurdo Silver Collection' (illustrates the original letter of presentation which accompanied the revolver. January 1, 1866)

Lot Essay

Colonel Augustus G. Hazard (1802-1868) was a longtime friend and business associate of Samuel Colt. The Hazard Powder Company was organized in 1843 and in 1845 made on subcontract for Colt 'waterproof cartridges for cannon and small arms'. From 1855 to 1858 Hazard's powder was used exclusively in the Colt cartridge works. Hartford papers of the period 1850-60 contain several references to Hazard and his business and personal dealings with Samuel Colt. A dinner party was noted, given by Hazard (about June 25th 1853), which included Colonel Colt as a guest. Various issues of June 1856 covered the ceremonies surrounding the wedding of Samuel Colt and Elizabeth Hart Jarvis. Hazard was amongst the prominent guests, which included Commodore Perry, the American naval leader. The Connecticut Courant of December 29th, 1860 identified Hazard and Colt as 'Southern sympathizers'

Book casings first appeared in the Paterson period and are known with some four different titles. All are of extreme rarity. They stand as testimonials to Colt's imagination and promotional acumen

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