Colt Revolver From 7th Cavalry Sets Its Sights On Heritage’s Arms & Armor Auction

Berdan’s C. Sharps breechloading percussion rifle also among event’s top draws DOWNLOAD DIGITAL PRESS KIT DALLAS, Texas (May 22, 2024) — A Colt pistol issued to the 7th Cavalry will be the target of eager bidders in Heritage’s Arms & Armor, Civil War & Militaria Signature® Auction June 10. The offered U.S. Artillery Model Colt Single Action Army Revolver bears serial numbers consistent with those issued to the 7th Cavalry in the American Civil War and the American Indian Wars. One of the letters accompanying the revolver, from John Kopec, a renowned Colt firearms specialist for decades, talks about this 5211 falling within the “Lot Five,” which was the principle lot from which many of the revolvers which were issued to the 7th Cavalry. The Kopec letter breaks down in great detail almost all components of this gun and addresses all numbers stamped on it since refurbished. The letter ends with the following statement: “The subject revolver #5211 is mentioned on page 271 of our Cavalry and Artillery book as being extant from Lot Five. We find no evidence of purposeful fakery on this fine Artillery revolver, [signed] John A. Kopec.” “Having a letter from John Kopec, who is such a universally recognized Colt Cavalry & Artillery Revolver historian, in which he mentions the gun by serial number, always makes potential bidders feel at ease,” says David Carde, Consignment Director for Arms & Armor at Heritage Auctions. “The letter confirms that the gun has solid history and verifies its authentic lineage.” An Inscribed Winchester Model 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine was often called the “Yellowboy” due to its distinctive brass receiver. The Winchester Model 1866 is an earlier and historically significant lever-action rifle that precedes the famous Model 1873. Among the appealing features is a characteristic saddle ring, similar to that found on the 1873 model, which made it popular among horse-mounted riders, including cowboys, cavalry and settlers moving westward across the United States. A Berdan’s C. Sharps New Model 1859 Breechloading Percussion Rifle was manufactured as part of a 2,000-rifle contract executed by the Ordnance Department January 27 and February 6, 1862 to arm the 1st and 2nd United States Sharpshooters Regiments. Composed of expert marksmen selected by Colonel Hiram S. Berdan, the two U.S.S.S. regiments fought with the Army of the Potomac for most of the Civil War. What sets the Berdan Sharpshooter’s M1859 Sharps Rifles apart was the fact that they were specially fitted with double set triggers and had angular socket bayonets. Most of the Berdan Sharps Rifles fall in the 54,374-57,574 serial range. A French LeMat Second Model Single Action Percussion Revolver was developed by Jean Alexandre LeMat, a French-born Confederate officer who sought to create a powerful sidearm for military use. It features a combination of pistol and shotgun capabilities that made the LeMat revolver versatile and well-suited for combat situations. It gained prominence during the American Civil War, in which it was used by Confederate officers and soldiers, including high-ranking figures such as General J.E.B. Stuart. Its firepower and versatility made it a prized weapon, particularly in close-quarters combat. A Three-Digit Serialized B. Kittredge & Co. Marked Colt “Omnipotent” Etched Panel Model 1878 Double Action Revolver, generates enormous appeal, in part because it is from the first year of production. B. Kittredge & Co. was a significant firearms dealer and distributor based in Cincinnati during the 19th century, known primarily for its distribution of firearms, including those from notable manufacturers like Colt and Remington. Omnipotent marked Model 1878s are mentioned and researched in Don Wilkerson’s book, Colt’s Double Action Revolver, Model of 1878, in which Wilkerson refers to them as “among the most sought after revolvers by collectors today.” A documented .45-caliber Colt Single-Action Army Revolver Shipped to U.S. Indian Agent, Pine Ridge Agency was manufactured in 1899 and is offered along with a Colt Factory letter confirming its configuration. It is offered along with literature regarding Pine Ridge, studio photos of the gun fitted with stag grips (not included in the lot) and correspondence between the previous owner and Kopec, who’s letter stated that the offered revolver was “the third one of these which has been located… If you have the Colt factory historical letter, you really don’t need any more documentation.” Other top lots include, but are not limited to:   • A Handsome Handachi Mounted Japanese Samurai Sword Daisho [Katana and Wakizashi]   • A Superb Civil War Field and Staff Officers’ Sword Presented to Colonel Charles Augustus Ropes Dimon as Commander of the First U.S. Volunteer Infantry   • A Spanish-American War/WWI: Medal Group Identified to Major General Creed C. Hammond Images and information about all lots in the auction can be found at HA.com/6291. Heritage Auctions is the largest fine art and collectibles auction house founded in the United States, and the world's largest collectibles auctioneer. Heritage maintains offices in New York, Dallas, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Palm Beach, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Heritage also enjoys the highest Online traffic and dollar volume of any auction house on earth (source: SimilarWeb and Hiscox Report). The Internet's most popular auction-house website, HA.com, has more than 1,750,000 registered bidder-members and searchable free archives of 6,000,000 past auction records with prices realized, descriptions and enlargeable photos. Reproduction rights routinely granted to media for photo credit. For breaking stories, follow us: HA.com/Facebook and HA.com/Twitter . Link to this release or view prior press releases . Hi-Res images available: Steve Lansdale, Public Relations Specialist 214-409-1699 or SteveL@HA.com