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19KP-2 1860 ARMY COLT #9900

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:4,500.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
19KP-2 1860 ARMY COLT #9900
All items are as is, no warranty or claims and All SALES ARE FINAL. Please examine prior to bidding as it is the bidder's responsibility to establish condition, age, genuineness, value or any other determining factors.
Colt 1860 Army Revolver .44 caliber percussion period script inscribed on backstrap “Sargent F.P. Boston Corbett”. Butt is block letter inscribed in another hand “Fatally wounded, J. Wilkes Booth, 4-26-65”. The Army is S/N 9900 and a factory letter confirms shipment to Gov. Island, New York, New York Arsenal, Sept. 6, 1861. Service record confirm Corbett’s service in New York regiments as enlisted man and sergeant in Washington D.C. Boston Corbett served in “L” company 16th N.Y. Cavalry and is listed in Wikipedia among other sources as having shot John Wilkes Booth against orders. Different accounts of the shooting (and not shooting are recorded) also newspapers record he would not sell the pistol he used to shoot booth as “It belongs to the government and I would not sell it at any price”. Corbett was known for odd and erratic behavior and disappeared in 1894 being though to have died in the great Hinkley fire after being declared insane and being sent to an asylum where he had escaped. Corbett also gave lectures and was known as “Lincoln’s Avenger”. He carried a pistol and constantly brandished it even at soldier’s reunions. The revolver remains in good condition with dark brown patina and matching numbers. The grips are undersized and may be from another Colt (The left inscribed H T V). The action is good and markings are slightly light.
There is no direct connection other than the inscriptions which we believe to be “Of the period” and the fact the pistol was sent to a New York Arsenal. This pistol S/N 9900 showed up a number of years ago at Las Vegas Gun Show where it was purchased by a prominent western collector who has consigned the Colt to Little John’s due to family medical emergency. A very believable inscription that may be further researched also a possibility of forensics and scientific analysis are viable. (Antique) Est.: $15,000-$30,000