^Lot 3423 RARE RELIC OF THE GREAT COLT FACTORY FIRE OF 1864.

Over 15,000 completed arms were lost during the monumental fire of the Colt factory February 5, 1864. No more firearms production for the Union army, "..the injury to the arms company and to the country was aggravated by the check given to the pistol-making in the very crisis of a war when they were more than ever needed" (from "Armsmear"-the history of the Colt armory, 1866). A famous relic from the fire is this 15.5x10x2.5" Col. Colt presentation double Colt 1860 army casing to his son-in-law Richard W.H. Jarvis (1829-1903) who became the longest serving Colt president 1865-1901 and was vice-president at time of fire. This is the most amazing relic that survived the great Colt fire. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: copies of pages of Charles Pate 1860 Army text showing casing, file of research. CONDITION: good for fire damaged wood box, mahogany veneer almost all burned off, base wood heavily charred especially front edge, hinges still functioning well, amazingly the interior is well preserved with complete faded baize lined compartments, plaque has chocolate brown patina with crisp inscription. (02-25116/JS). NON-GUN. $8,000-16,000.