^Lot 4079 RARE "COL COLT PRESENTATION" FACTORY ENGRAVED COLT

MODEL 1851 NAVY REVOLVER, MADE FOR 1ST MODEL STOCK TO GENERAL WILLIAM S. HARNEY. Cal. 36. S# 59486. Inscribed inside grip frame on triggerguard tang: "Gen'l Harney / with / Col. Colt's Complts". Revolver made in 1856. Standard configuration 7.5" octagonal barrel, New York address, "COLTS PATENT" engraved in arc on frame, full coverage engraving of Gustav Young-style scrolls terminating in flowers and serpent's head on left barrel lug, burl walnut grips, iron grip frame with sling swivel stud forward of trigger bow, backstrap slotted for 1st model shoulder stock. Bob Jordan in his census of 1st model cut for stock navies, lists 11 S#s, all large iron trigger guards, including S# 59492 only 6 S3s away. 1st model stocked navies are very rare as it did not fare well with use, later models soon had later supporting features: notched butt & milled cutouts of recoil shields.William Selby Harney (1800-1889) lifelong army officer, commanding troops in west in 1850s. At the outbreak of the Civil War Harney was commander of the Department of the West, with headquarters in St. Louis, and was one of only four generals in the regular United States Army. Although a Southerner in sympathy marrying into a wealthy slave owning Missouri family, Harney remained with the United States Army in 1861. He retired from active duty on August 1, 1863, but received a final brevet, to Major General, on 13 Mar 1865, "for long and faithful service." Appointed as Indian peace commissioner by Andrew Johnson in 1865, Harney was instrumental in the negotiation of the important Medicine Lodge Treaty of 1867. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: binder of research, collection tags, biography on General Harney. CONDITION: good overall, complete, original & matching other than screws. Revolver is heavily pitted and most original screws were replaced and revolver restored to good functioning condition, pitted bore. PROVENANCE: The Esteemed Norm Greenberg Collection. (01-27652/JS). ANTIQUE. $4,000-6,000.