Lot 4055 RARE DOUBLE CASED FACTORY ENGRAVED "CIVIL WAR
GENERAL ALFRED DUFFIE" PRESENTATION COLT MODEL 1855 ROOT REVOLVERS. Cal. 28. S# 25292/25296. Standard configuration 1861 manufactured model 3 Colt 1855 Root revolvers, 3.5" octagonal barrels with unique Colt 2-line address with "pointing hand", fluted 5-shot cylinders, smooth ivory 1-piece grips housed in presentation mahogany casing "A Token of Esteem / presented to / Major Alfred Duffie / Co. I (Indiana Boys) Harris Lig"ht Cavalry". Casing retains fine enameled eagle flask, 2-cavity "COLTS PATENT" mold, and “L” shaped screwdriver.
General Alfred "Napoléon Duffié" (1832-1880) was French-American soldier and diplomat who served in Crimea prior to the Civil War. He first joined the 2nd New York Cavalry Regiment (also known as the Harris Light Cavalry) on August 9, 1861. He was major when these pistols were presented prior to July 1862 when Duffié was appointed to command the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment, with the rank of colonel. Though the 1st Rhode Island's officers initially refused to serve under a foreign-born leader, Duffié soon won them over and reorganized the regiment into a fine fighting unit. He was promoted to general June 1863. He fought in many cavalry actions in Virginia, Cedar Mountain, Kelly's Ford, Brandy Station, almost capturing JEB Stuart. He himself was captured attempted to capture John Mosby at Bunker Hill, October 20, 1864. He was sent to prison camp, then paroled on February 22, 1865. Duffié was then ordered to Texas for a campaign against Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith, but that campaign ended before he could arrive. Duffié had controversial history, he once challenged General Fitz John Porter to a duel. Postwar he was American consul in Spain, he is buried on Staten Island. CONDITION: excellent overall, S# 25292 retains over 90% bright factory blue, S# 25296 retains 90% bright blue on frame & barrel, and about 20% on cylinder. Case if fine, purple velvet lining has soiling and staining and small reductions where worn, accessories are excellent, mechanics crisp, bright shiny rifled bores. PROVENANCE: Dr. Joseph Murphy Collection; Martin Lane Historic & Western Americana Lifetime Collection. (01-28171/JS). ANTIQUE. $40,000-60,000.
General Alfred "Napoléon Duffié" (1832-1880) was French-American soldier and diplomat who served in Crimea prior to the Civil War. He first joined the 2nd New York Cavalry Regiment (also known as the Harris Light Cavalry) on August 9, 1861. He was major when these pistols were presented prior to July 1862 when Duffié was appointed to command the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment, with the rank of colonel. Though the 1st Rhode Island's officers initially refused to serve under a foreign-born leader, Duffié soon won them over and reorganized the regiment into a fine fighting unit. He was promoted to general June 1863. He fought in many cavalry actions in Virginia, Cedar Mountain, Kelly's Ford, Brandy Station, almost capturing JEB Stuart. He himself was captured attempted to capture John Mosby at Bunker Hill, October 20, 1864. He was sent to prison camp, then paroled on February 22, 1865. Duffié was then ordered to Texas for a campaign against Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith, but that campaign ended before he could arrive. Duffié had controversial history, he once challenged General Fitz John Porter to a duel. Postwar he was American consul in Spain, he is buried on Staten Island. CONDITION: excellent overall, S# 25292 retains over 90% bright factory blue, S# 25296 retains 90% bright blue on frame & barrel, and about 20% on cylinder. Case if fine, purple velvet lining has soiling and staining and small reductions where worn, accessories are excellent, mechanics crisp, bright shiny rifled bores. PROVENANCE: Dr. Joseph Murphy Collection; Martin Lane Historic & Western Americana Lifetime Collection. (01-28171/JS). ANTIQUE. $40,000-60,000.
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