Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.

Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Auction: Firearms | August 18, 2020 at 12:00 PM

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Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Image for Pair of Presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Housed In Original Pommel Holsters Presented to Colonel David Henry Williams of the 31st/82nd Pennsylvania Infantry on October 22nd, 1861.
Photos
Pair of presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy revolvers bearing the serial #'s 114876 and 114903 (both with matching serial numbers) in .36 caliber percussion. Pistols present 7.5" octagonal barrels. Top of barrels present one-line stamping"ADDRESS SAML COLT, NEW-YORK CITY US AMERICA". with left side of frame stamped "COLTS/PATENT in two lines. The cylinders are stamped"COLTS PATENT No" followed by serial numbers and are engraved with a scene of a naval engagement. Serial numbers indicate that these pistols were manufactured in 1861.Engraved on the backstraps of both pistols is"TO COL. D.H. WILLIAMS by his Phila FRIENDS OCT 22nd 1861". Pistols exhibit a significant amount of their original bluing and case hardening. Pistol serial #114876 exhibits some extremely minor abrasions and digs to wood grips with small chip to wood at butt. Brass exhibits toning with some red oxidized areas. Butt brass exhibits some small dents and scratches. Cylinder exhibits some darkening to metal and small dent on front of cylinder. Frame exhibits some slight digs and abrasions. Pistol serial #114903 exhibits some extremely minor abrasions and digs to wood grips with small chip to wood at butt. Brass exhibits toning. Butt brass exhibits some small dents and scratches. Frame exhibits some slight digs and abrasions with small dent at muzzle of barrel. Guns would rate very good to fine in NRA antique firearms standards. Pistols are housed in a set of original pommel holsters that exhibit some dryness to leather and flaking at flap hinge areas. David Henry Williams (1819-1891) was a railway surveyor, civil engineer and writer in civilian life. He served as a soldier in the US-Mexican War (1846-8) and in 1861 he was appointed Colonel of the 31st Pennsylvania Infantry. As many regiments were then enlisting, Pennsylvania had regular and reserve regiments. The 2nd Pennsylvania Reserves was designated the 31st Pennsylvania resulting in Williams' regiment to be re-designated the 82nd Pennsylvania Infantry regiment. Leading this regiment in 1862 Williams and his men were heavily engaged during the Peninsular Campaign as well as the battles of Seven Pines, Malvern Hill and other battles. For his actions Williams was appointed a brigadier general on November 29, 1862, however this appointment was never confirmed by Congress and expired before it could be voted upon. In early 1863 David Williams resigned from the army and returned to his home near Pittsburg. These pistols were presented to Williams the day before his regiment was presented their flags that they would carry into battle. Pistols and holsters are accompanied by extensive research. Provenance: Gary S. Wolfer Collection