"COLT MODEL 1851 PERCUSSION REVOLVER. SN 99334. Cal. 36. Usual configuration with 7-1/2" oct bbl, brass pin front sight, and one line Hartford address. It has "COLTS PATENT" on the left side of the frame with small initials on the left shoulder of the triggerguard. The right rear web of the triggerguard has a small "&" indicating factory restored finish. It has silver-plated brass triggerguard and backstrap with 1-pc walnut grip numbered in two places, the backstrap channel and buttstrap channel. Consignor states that this Colt belonged to his great-great-great uncle James Gregory Hodges who was a colonel for the Confederacy in the Civil War. Colonel Hodges was born December 25, 1828 in Portsmouth, VA and graduated University of Pennsylvania. He was a physician and served as major of Portsmouth, VA. In 1856, he was elected Colonel of the 3rd Virginia Volunteers, a state militia unit which was mustered into service to the Confederacy on April 20, 1861. In May of 1861, the governor of Virginia appointed him to command the newly-formed 14th Virginia Infantry. At the battle of Antietam, Colonel Hodges was listed as the commander of Armisted's brigade at Sharpsburg. Colonel Hodges was killed at the height of Pickett's Charge at the wall on Cemetery Ridge at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863 while leading his regiment. CONDITION: About Fine, all matching including the wedge. The bbl retains 97-98% strong Colt blue with only sharp edge wear and a minor nick or two, with a few pin pricks of rust on the bbl lug. The rammer handle retains faded case colors on the pivot with the handle being a gray-brown patina. Frame retains 30-40% faded case colors with the balance a gray-brown patina. Hammernose and the hammer channel retain moderate to heavy pitting. Cylinder is a brown patina with fine pitting around the front edge and retains about 75% Ormsby naval battle scene. A couple of nipples are broken. Triggerguard retains 96-97% strong orig silver with only sharp edge wear. Backstrap and buttstrap retain 75-80% orig silver. Grip has a chip on the left side at the frame with moderate edge wear and light nicks and scratches and retains about 95% orig varnish. Hand is broken and missing, otherwise mechanics are fine. Strong, bright bore with moderate to heavy pitting, especially towards the muzzle. One frame pin is missing. 4-32996 JR455 (6,000-10,000)"
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