Colt Army Revolvers

By John Sexton · Originally published March 2018 · pp. 26–27

Note both guns engraved with similar design with punch dot backgrounds and “E” denoting factory engraving.

Colt Army Revolvers A reunion of a pair of presentation Colt Army Revolvers just recently brought back together James Julia Auctions sold SN 112018 engraved presentation Colt Model 1860 Percussion Revolver in their Fall 2014 Auction as Lot 3048 for $23,000. The backstrap is inscribed “Col. W.S. Truex / From the Enlisted Men of His Reg’t.” Herb Glass, renowned Colt expert and dealer, recently examined another engraved Colt Model 1860 Army, SN 81262 with identical inscription. These two guns were reunited by the purchaser from the Julia’s sale with the addition of this newly discovered gun. Both guns are in good overall condition retaining traces of finish and both showing use with crisp well-defined factory engraving. Both guns were mounted with identical fancy burled walnut grips.

These guns were most likely not purchased from Colt but from a retailer as the serial numbers are so far apart. The Julia gun was made mid1863 and the recently discovered gun in late 1862. It is also most unusual to note that the Julia gun has been fitted for a stock by adding a 4th screw to the frame well past the time of 4-screw frames from 1861. It is most likely that, when these guns were presented, they were cased with a detachable butt stock. The Julia gun had great collector provenance coming from the renowned collection of Nick Penachio. General William Sydney Truex (1819–1889) had a long military history. Truex attended Holmdel Academy and was appointed to West Point from New Jersey in 1837. After just one year at West Point, Truex enlisted in Col. Quitman’s regiment of mounted infantry to serve in Texas under Sam Houston. He served for three years before returning to New Jersey. At the onset of the war with Mexico, he enlisted as a private in Company G, 10th U.S. Infantry. Promotion came rapidly, Sergeant, then Sergeant Major and, finally, 2nd Lieutenant, after participating in the Battles of Palo Alto, Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo, and Resaca de la Palma. After returning to New Jersey, he was instrumental in the local militia and, by 1856, was a Lieutenant Colonel. In the spring of 1858 he joined the antiMormon Expedition under Col. Albert Sydney Johnston. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was living in Kansas with his family but was appointed Major of the 5th New Jersey Infantry by New Jersey Governor Olden, who knew of his great military leadership abilities. On March 7, 1862, he was promoted to Lt. Col. of the 10th New Jersey and just 3 months later commissioned Colonel of the newly-formed 14th New Jersey Infantry. He 14th had hard service and Truex was eventually

Note both guns engraved (above two photographs) with similar design with punch dot backgrounds and “E” denoting factory engraving. Serial number 120185 is the top revolver.

Colt’s address on top of the barrel on serial number 120185. This gun’s photo is courtesy James D. Julia’s Inc.

Colt Army Revolvers — photograph 3 from the original article

Frames and hammers engraved in complimentary matching styles, note left side barrel housing scrolls terminate in a sea shell on one gun and into a dog’s head on the earlier one, which is often attributed in style to Gustav Young. Top revolver photographs courtesy James D. Julia’s Inc.

Colt Army Revolvers — photograph 4 from the original article

Inscriptions on both guns are identical, by same hand and obviously presented as part of a pair, little doubt originally cased. promoted to command the New Jersey Brigade. Truex was mustered out of service, still a Colonel, on June 18, 1865. He was breveted Brigadier General, back dated to April 2, 1865, for gallant and meritorious service. Truex was known to often be out front leading his men in various actions. He was shot in the hand at the Battle of Cold Harbor, June 1, 1864. After the war, Truex bought a large parcel of land in Virginia where he and his family moved. He was engaged in rebuilding the railroad from Fredericksburg to Orange Courthouse, which had been destroyed during the Civil War. He later returned to New Jersey where he died in 1889, and was buried at Riverview Cemetery in Trenton. We searched for a presentation on these pistols and possibly a little more research might find the actual field presentation. It is possible that the pistols were presented about the same time as the officers presented him with a sword May 26, 1863, as the manufacture timeline would be in line. There are numerous 14th New Jersey letters and diary excerpts scattered among archives around the country, unfortunately few are available on line, but such an important pair of pistols are most likely mentioned somewhere. John is an certified appraiser with International Society of Appraisers specializing in Civil War memorabilia. He authenticates and evaluates other rare and valuable historic items as well. His website is www.civilwardealer.com. He is coauthor of the book Confederate Bowie Knives (2012) by Jack Melton, Josh Phillips and John Sexton, that was published by Mowbray Publishing Inc. Send “Ask The Appraiser” questions and photographs to [email protected].