#5004 • Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver Presented to Captain Joseph Ellis of the 19th/72nd Pennsylvania Infantry - Gustave Young Engraved.

Part of Firearms | August 18, 2020 at 12:00 PM (live auction by Alderfer Auction)

High bid $8,500.00

Status: Sold

Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver bearing the serial #98257 (matching serial numbers) in .36 caliber percussion. Pistol presents a 7.5" octagonal barrel. Frame, backstrap, barrel and guard are extensively engraved by Gustave Young. Top of barrel present one-line stamping"ADDRESS SAML COLT, HARTFORD CT". with left side of frame engraved "COLTS/PATENT in two lines. The cylinder is stamped"COLTS PATENT No" followed by serial number and is engraved with a scene of a naval engagement. Serial number indicate that the pistol was manufactured in 1861. Engraved on the backstrap of the pistol is"CAPT JOSEPH ELLIS Co.D, 2nd REGT INFANTRY, 1st BRIGADE, 1st DIV. P.V.". Pistols exhibit a significant amount of its original bluing and case hardening. Pistol exhibits some extremely minor abrasions and digs to wood grips. Brass exhibits toning and loss/wear to over nickeling. Cylinder scene exhibits some wear. Gun would rate fine+ in NRA antique firearms standards. John Ellis enlisted in the 19th Pennsylvania Infantry on May 18, 1861 and was mustered in as a captain of Company D and was discharged on August 29, 1861. Ellis would enlist in the 72nd Pennsylvania Infantry on September 18, 1861 and be mustered in as a Captain on October 31, 1861. He would later resign and be discharged on October 27, 1862. Pistol is accompanied by a binder with extensive research on Ellis. The engraver Gustave Young (1827–1895) emigrated to New York from Germany in 1846. In 1852 he began engraving for the Colt Company in Hartford, Connecticut. His career lasted until shortly before his death. He was considered one of the preeminent engravers of firearms in the United States in the 19th century and worked for numerous firearms companies.