1849 Pocket Revolver, Silver Plated, Factory Engraved, Carved Ivory Grips with image of Giuseppe Garibaldi

705 Views 19 Replies 5 Participants Last post by KKiefer, 2 mo ago

KKiefer

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

Searching for information on original owner. Gun was manufactured in 1863, Colt factory and records burned in early 1864. As a presentation model, the gun may have stayed in the Colt inventory for a period of time after the fire, and re-recorded. I've looked at the Connecticut State Library, through the Herbert Houze Factory Ledgers book. Colt Archives have confirmed they have no original records. The gun was inspected by Herbert Houze and R.L. Wilson, determined to be factory original. No name engraved on backstrap. Extensive research already conducted. Any thoughts would be most helpful. All serial numbers match.

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KKiefer

Discussion Starter · #2 · 2 mo ago

Also looking for information on the Archives of R.L. Wilson. Does anyone know where they are stored, and if they are available to the public? Thanks!

Paterson

· #3 · 2 mo ago

Some pictures here would really help.

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KKiefer

Discussion Starter · #4 · 2 mo ago

Revolver Trigger Font Gun accessory Jewellery

Revolver Trigger Font Gun accessory Jewellery

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Musical instrument Rectangle Font Cylinder Art

Revolver Trigger Font Gun accessory Jewellery

Revolver Trigger Shotgun Air gun Gun accessory

Artifact Font Natural material Jewellery Metal

Musical instrument Rectangle Font Cylinder Art

Artifact Font Natural material Jewellery Metal

Musical instrument Rectangle Font Cylinder Art

Revolver Trigger Font Gun accessory Jewellery

Revolver Trigger Shotgun Air gun Gun accessory

Artifact Font Natural material Jewellery Metal

Musical instrument Rectangle Font Cylinder Art

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Paterson

· #5 · 2 mo ago

It does appear that the engraving is original as are the grips. With no factory letter and Houze and Wilson both being gone, including their records I am told, finding the first owner of this Colt would be unlikely unfortunately. A full length shot would be important - it could be that the barrel has been shortened. What does the length of the barrel measure?

KKiefer

Discussion Starter · #6 · 2 mo ago

Wilson & Houze personally inspected, and confirmed all factory original, with the 4” barrel. Documentation letters from both confirming their findings. I’m most interested in peoples knowledge of the Garibaldi image on the grip. The Houze archives are at the museum in Cody, WY.

KKiefer

Discussion Starter · #7 · 2 mo ago

KKiefer said:
Wilson & Houze personally inspected, and confirmed all factory original, with the 4” barrel. Documentation letters from both confirming their findings. I’m most interested in peoples knowledge of the Garibaldi image on the grip. The Houze archives are at the museum in Cody, WY. I didn’t post the entire collection of photos as my primary focus is the grip.

FL Moore

· #8 · 2 mo ago

Welcome to the forum from Virginia !!

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GRI

· #9 · 2 mo ago

My guess would be they went to a Latin American country and were guns brought back in the 1960’s and 1970’s when collectors were going south to find guns.

KKiefer

Discussion Starter · #10 · 2 mo ago

Thx…. It’s been in my immediate family since 1875.

GRI

· #11 · 2 mo ago

Garibaldi was a popular theme in Latin America. But, I am not sure that the carvings reflect Garibaldi, but just a Cavalier. However, it is would seem you asked the question when you seem to already know some of the answers. Who determined it was Garibaldi and how?

Forehead Head Chin Hairstyle Eyebrow

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KKiefer

Discussion Starter · #12 · 2 mo ago

Herbert Houze attributed the image to Garibaldi. Lincoln & his Secretary of State Seward made a big push to appoint Garibaldi as a Major in the Union Army @ the start of the Civil war. Google Lincoln & Garibaldi together😎

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GRI

· #13 · 2 mo ago

Sorry, but it appears to be the Cavalier, J.E.B. Stuart and not “Garibaldi.”

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Todd

· #14 · 2 mo ago

KKiefer said:
Herbert Houze attributed the image to Garibaldi. Lincoln & his Secretary of State Seward made a big push to appoint Garibaldi as a Major in the Union Army @ the start of the Civil war. Google Lincoln & Garibaldi together😎

I thought that Garibaldi was quite against the American Civil War in general and Lincoln in particular - at least until the Emancipation Proclamation and even then recognized the original motives for the war on the part of the North. This, from a rabid fan of his that I know from Italy. Of course, he's also an unrepentant Fascist left-over from WWII as well.

Interestingly, Colt's commemorated Garibaldi with a revolving carbine and a Dragoon(?) issue.

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GRI

· #15 · 2 mo ago

Todd said:
I thought that Garibaldi was quite against the American Civil War in general and Lincoln in particular - at least until the Emancipation Proclamation and even then recognized the original motives for the war on the part of the North. This, from a rabid fan of his that I know from Italy. Of course, he's also an unrepentant Fascist left-over from WWII as well.

Interestingly, Colt's commemorated Garibaldi with a revolving carbine and a Dragoon(?) issue.

This is my Colt Garibaldi commemorative Dragoon. It has special order carved Mexican Eagle ivory grips.

Air gun Trigger Wood Shotgun Gun barrel

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Todd

· #16 · 2 mo ago

GRI said:
This is my Colt Garibaldi commemorative Dragoon. It has special order carved Mexican Eagle ivory grips.

View attachment 839527

Nice!
I didn't realize that they were that relatively modern. When My pal Alex was trying to get one in Italy - I was under the impression that Colt had done it back when Garibaldi was still alive and trotting the globe. Have you ever seen one of the revolving carbines?

GRI

· #17 · 2 mo ago

Todd said:
Nice!
I didn't realize that they were that relatively modern. When My pal Alex was trying to get one in Italy - I was under the impression that Colt had done it back when Garibaldi was still alive and trotting the globe. Have you ever seen one of the revolving carbines?

Not that I recall.

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GRI

· #18 · 2 mo ago

Like I said, you have the answers to some of the questions. The following information would be helpful in finding the origin of the gun.

1. What is the serial number/date of manufacture?
2. Does the trigger guard, in addition to the serial numbers, have an “I” and an “E”?
3. In addition to the serial number on the frame, does it have either the number “1” or “2”?
4. How do you know that the gun has been in the family since 1875, family lore?
5. How was it acquired, to pay a debt?

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KKiefer

Discussion Starter · #19 · 2 mo ago

I’ll do some more research - thx for the lead! Houze didn’t miss much though 🤓

GRI said:
Like I said, you have the answers to some of the questions. The following information would be helpful in finding the origin of the gun.

1. What is the serial number/date of manufacture?
2. Does the trigger guard, in addition to the serial numbers, have an “I” and an “E”?
3. In addition to the serial number on the frame, does it have either the number “1” or “2”?
4. How do you know that the gun has been in the family since 1875, family lore?
5. How was it acquired, to pay a debt?
Colt confirmed 1863 manufacture based on their production records & serial numbers. Signed affidavits proving line of ownership back to 1875. E at the end of serial number denoting factory engraving, confirmed by Houze & Wilson, no 1 or 2 on frame.

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KKiefer

Discussion Starter · #20 · 2 mo ago

Prior to 1875 it is documented back to April 1872. The gap is manufacture in Hartford, second half of 1863 to April 1872.

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