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RARE AND HISTORIC INSCRIBED COLT MODEL 1860

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
RARE AND HISTORIC INSCRIBED COLT MODEL 1860

FLUTED ARMY REVOLVER, CAPTAIN WILLIAM BUSH, CO. G. 34TH TEXAS CAVALRY. Cal. 44. S# 595. Bbl. 7 1/2". This is a very honest survivor, showing honest use & well cared for. Scratched into the butt "CO. G / W.M.BUSH. CAPT." The sm. inscription on buttstrap appears contemporarily scratched w/ dbl. lined letters through the silver plate. It would be interesting to see if any of the other 123 guns in this shipment from Colt, Aug. of 1861 to Philadelphia show up w/ Confederate identification. William M. Bush (1827-1900) was a prominent Texan, being among the largest ranchers & land holders in Hunt County. He originally was from Boonsboro, KY & served in the Mexican War w/ the 2nd Kentucky Infantry at the battles of Veracruz, Pueblo, Cerro Gordo. His Mexican War service made him the perfect candidate as an officer in the Confederate army. He entered service Feb. 23rd, 1862 as 1st Lieut. in Company G, 34th Texas Cavalry (Alexander's Regt., 2nd Partisan Rangers). He was soon promoted to captain. By June 25th, 1863, he was acting major, seeing service in Texas, Indian territory, Missouri, Arkansas & Louisiana. The largest battle that Bush would be involved would be at the battles of Mansfield & Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, Apr. 1864 which were disastrous defeats for the larger Union Army under Nathaniel Banks. Bush was cited for gallantry on the field & promoted to Lieut. Col. Authentic inscribed Colts are very rare & this one is impeccable. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: lg. binder of research material. CONDITION: very good overall, appears all original & matching. Revolver only has hints of blue finish, iron is overall smooth/gray patina w/ crisp markings. Grip frame retains about 80% silver plate w/ freckling on backstrap. Grips retain about 80% original factory varnish w/ moderate edge wear. Mechanically fine w/ crisp bright rifled bore. PROVENANCE: From the Collection of James B. Taylor. (01-20446/JS). ANTIQUE. $6,000-8,000.