LOT #44066 |
Sold on Sep 21, 2013 for: Not Sold
Samuel Colt From Life Portrait Carte de Visite, circa 1861....
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Description
Samuel Colt From Life Portrait Carte de Visite, circa 1861. 2.5" x 4". Photographs of Samuel Colt (1814-1862), the founder of Colt's Patent Fire-Arms Manufacturing Company, are difficult to procure. This cdv features the bearded industrialist in his forties, near the end of his life.In November 1846, Samuel Colt wrote Samuel Walker, a newly appointed captain in the U.S. Mounted Rifles who had recently arrived in the northeast to recruit for his new company. Colt had fallen on hard financial times and hoped Walker, who had used Colt's Paterson model revolver as a Texas Ranger, might have ideas for an improved model. They soon began working together. Their efforts produced a much larger and more powerful .44-caliber six-shot revolver named after the Texan-the Colt Walker revolver. Walker then had to convince the secretary of war to authorize the purchase of the new revolvers from Colt. Walker was successful and a U.S. government contract was signed in early January 1847 for the purchase of 1,000 Colt Walkers, specifically for the Mounted Rifles. Since Colt did not have an armory at the time, he hired Eli Whitney's armory to manufacture the guns. Walker soon returned to Mexico, but the pistols did not arrive for Walker's men before his death at the Battle of Huamantla in October 1847. (Colt blamed the U.S. Ordnance Department for delays.) Before his death, however, Walker had received two pistols as gifts and likely had them with him at his death. Colt's business grew quickly after this, so that at his death in 1862, he was one of America's richest men. This cdv exhibits some fading. Backstamped by photographer Webster & Popkins of Hartford, Connecticut.
Auction Info
2013 September 21 Legends of the West Signature Auction - The John N. McWilliams Texas Ranger Collection - Dallas #6104 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
September, 2013
21st
Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 0
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Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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