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Historically important Colt 1851 Navy revolver fully and elaborately engraved in profuse scroll by

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:9,000.00 USD
Historically important Colt 1851 Navy  revolver fully and elaborately engraved in  profuse scroll by
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Historically important Colt 1851 Navy revolver fully and elaborately engraved in profuse scroll by Gustav Young and originally period inscribed “Presented to Daniel Rathbun (SP?), By George Chorpenning, April 1858”, S/N 25111. This Colt is originally deluxe scroll engraved by Gustave Young with vignette of Indian on the left barrel lug, hand engraved Colt’s patent, tight scrolls with typical “Devil Dogs”, cob webs, parrot eagle, and gargoyle all within the best Young style tight scroll. The pistol remains in original very good condition with traces of blue with brown patina, sharp markings and all matching serial numbers. 50%-70% light scene and very good burl grips that fit impeccably and show an expert repair to one corner. There is some slight pitting and a minor mark on the front of the barrel behind the sight which is negligible. This is a rare small iron guard variation of which only a few are known engraved. George Chorpenning was the first man to carry mail across the American continent by stagecoach. He was a pioneer in transportation of mail, freight and passengers to California during the gold rush. He traveled to California in 1850 with 49ers in search of gold. Instead he teamed with Absolam Woodward who was an entrepreneur to carry mail from Salt Lake to California in 1851. Woodward was killed in 1851 by Idian attack on a mail run. Chorpenning continued the contract with post office and drove many runs himself. He developed and enlarged his routes through 1860. In 1860 due to insane and crooked California politics Willam Hepburn Russell used Chorpeninng’s way stations to establish “The Pony Express”. Chorpenning’s routes were the central routes for travel until the railroad was completed in 1869. He also opened a route from San Antonio, Texas to California in 1857 which is basically highway 10 today. Chorpenning sued the federal government and was eventually successful in receiving a huge settlement ($430,000) for his stations that were appropriated by U.S. Mail. Chorpenning organized the second Maryland Inf. in 1861 on the personal request of Abraham Lincoln and he served as colonel during the Civil War. Chorpenning though not as well-known as Russell, Wells, Fargo and other stagecoach men may well have been the earliest and most important among these legends in the California gold rush era. A recently discovered Colt with great western and California significance that should be further researched as to the identity of Daniel Rathbun (SP?).

Late info: Daniel Rathbun (SP?) was recently discovered as going west to California 1853. He became a stagecoach driver and freighter working in Utah and California. He was the first man to drive mail by stagecoach from San Bernardino to Los Angeles. This is a museum quality California gold rush artifact. (Antique) Est.: $18,000-$36,000.