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HISTORIC SANTE FE NEW MEXICO INSCRIBED COLT NAVY

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
HISTORIC SANTE FE NEW MEXICO INSCRIBED COLT NAVY

REVOLVER TO PROMINENT JEWISH MERCHANT, TRADER & NEW MEXICO’S FIRST DAGUERROTYPIST SIGMUND SELIGMAN. Cal. 36. S# 87295. Bbl. 7 1/2". Standard configuration, one line Hartford address. Revolver is Colt Model 1851 Navy with factory ivory grips made in 1858. Backstrap engraved “S. Seligman Sante Fe NM”. Accompanied by fine tooled slim Jim holster maker marked “ABBOTT & GREGORY / ANGLIS”. Sigmund Seligman had an interesting life. He along with 7 brothers immigrated from Germany. Sigmund (~1824-1876) arriving in Philadelphia but headed west along Sante Fe trail where opportunities for commerce were abundant and this family knew the trade. Sigmund established a retail dry goods business in 1852 along with partner Charles Clever, firm was “Seligman & Clever” until 1856 when Clever left to become delegate to Congress. The firm was now Seligman Brothers Company on the site of what is now La Fonda Hotel in Sante Fe. Seligman brothers were prominent dry good merchants for over 100 years in Sante Fe. Seligman brothers probably sold firearms in their store. Seligman Brothers were well established in 1858 when revolver was made. This gun is the subject of an excellent article written by the consignor published in American Society of Arms Collector’s Bulletin that accompanies along with large research file in binder. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: large file of research materials, Henry Tobias 1990 "A History of the Jews in New Mexico”. Slim Jim holster, mahogany case, flask, 2-cavity mold, cap tin and nipple wrench. CONDITION: very good overall, strong traces of blue in protected areas, 30-40% muted case color, full rolled “naval battle” cylinder scene. All matching serial numbers including original elephant ivory grips which have chip at inner toe on right side. Mechanically fine with bright rifled bore. The accompanying mahogany casing is very good with eagle & panoply of arms flask, 2-cavity Colt’s Patent mold, green label Eley cap tin, and nipple wrench. Holster is very good with tear at muzzle end. PROVENANCE: From the Collection of James B. Taylor. (01-20447/JS). ANTIQUE. $8,000-12,000.