Lot 718

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Description:

LT. ANTHONY WAYNE VOGDES' RARE COLT PISTOL
Rare, fine association presentation pistol given to Lt. ANTHONY WAYNE VOGDES (1843-1923), the son of Brigadier Gen. Israel Vogdes and a descendant of Revolutionary War Gen. "Mad" Anthony Wayne after whom he was named. The pistol is a Model 1860 .44 Army revolver with the distinctive flute cylinder, manufactured in 1860 and apparently one of only approximately 4,000 made, The revolver has a three screw frame, high-gloss one-piece walnut Army grips, and brass trigger guard and straps. The rear strap has been engraved: "Lieut. Wayne Vogdes 100. Reg't N.Y. Vol." in an ornate script. The barrel measures 7 1/2", the pistol is 11 1/2" overall. The loading lever, frame, and hammer are case-hardened. The serial number, "3071" is stamped on the frame, trigger guard and back strap, and near one cylinder flute. The non-matching barrel, roll-stamped "METROPOLITAN ARMS CO. NEW YORK" is stamped with serial no. "3099". There is a small fracture to the upper-left portion of the rear strap, just beneath the hammer. Any Colt markings have been worn away as the weapon appears to have seen much use…and cleaning. Metropolitan Arms took advantage of the Colt plant fire to manufacture pistols and parts similar to those made by Colt (but not this model) and some were used by the Army although no government contracts with Metropolitan have been uncovered. We suppose that Vogdes replace the barrel during the war, or thereafter. However, a case could be made that as these pistols, often called "Texas Colts", were purchased pre-war largely by Southern dealers, this pistol may have been captured and presented to Vogdes with a new barrel. At the start of hostilities, Vogdes immediately enlisted as a drummer boy. Once of legal age, he enlisted on at Morris Island, SC as a 2nd lieutenant on Aug. 13, 1863 and was commissioned into "I" Co. On Mar. 17, 1864 he was promoted to first lieutenant (at which time this pistol was likely gifted), and served for the duration of the war, mustering out on July 28, 1865 and brevetted major. Vogdes would have been present for the captures of Forts Wagner and Gregg, attacks on Charleston, operations before Petersburg and Richmond, Darbytown, Fair Oaks, and at the Appomattox Campaign. Post-war, Vogdes guarded Union Pacific construction camps from Indian attacks and became a respected geologist. A fine, important relic!

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September 9, 2014 11:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $3,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000