Top Gun

[Major 2]

A global economic meltdown and a $300,000 starting bid weren't enough to keep an anonymous bidder in Maine from hitting his or her target--an antique Colt Walker pistol. The $920,000 winning bid set a world record for any single firearm sold at auction.

The .44-caliber revolver was made for use by the Texas Rangers during the Mexican-American War in the mid-19th century and is one of the most exciting discoveries in the field of military collectibles in many years...


The Colt Walker pistol made its first appearance in 1847 as the result of collaboration between Capt. Samuel H. Walker and firearms designer Samuel Colt. So happy was the U.S. army with the gun's design that Eli Whitney's factory in New York was immediately commissioned to make 1,000 of them.

Walker wrote that the gun is "as effective as a common rifle at 100 yards and superior to a musket at 200." The gun remained the most powerful handgun in the world for more than a century, until the introduction of the .357 Magnum in 1935...

...The Colt sold at James Julia was in perfect corrosion-free condition, the ultimate reason for the gun's stunning price. It was issued to Pvt. Samuel Wilson, who died, presumably in battle, at the age of 33. The gun was obtained by another soldier, Brevet Maj. Gen. John Reese Kenly, and it remained in his family until the recent auction.

[Mako]

The thing that most people miss is that Kenly was in charge of the hospital and collected not only this Walker and Flask but other war "trophies" which remained in his family. 

I have two friends who lost personal weapons upon admission to military hospitals or hospital ships.  One of them later found out the hospital administrator had a large personal collection from weapons that had been collected but never "reclaimed".  Regulations require that weapons be secured and tagged for return to the units for reissue to the individual upon return to his unit.  It is/was a bit vague about personal firearms and other weapons (actually it's not, they are supposed to be held in the facilities armory, or surrendered to the security or military police unit for the command if an armory is not available at the facility). Most military hospitals not only have an armory but EOD trained members to deal with devices that end up in the facility. He was very lucid upon admission and remembers his firearms being collected and tagged, but they "mysteriously" disappeared.  Later when he tried to pursue it he was told it was a black hole and that he would find himself in trouble if he pursued it any further.   Some very large collections have been created by administrators who never saw any action outside of garrison duty.

The Walker should have been returned to the Mounted Rifles company, but things really haven't changed in 161 years...  On the other hand it probably wouldn't exist today as it does if it weren't for the "diligent" efforts by Maj. Gen Kenly (brevetted of course, it seems all the ones like this are or were) to enhance his own holdings.  I have very mixed emotions about it.   It's great to have such a well preserved specimen, but at the same time it just highlights the antics that go on by certain individuals in authority.

[Major 2]

 that's an interesting aside

I goggled John Reese Kenly



KENLY, John Reese, soldier, born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1822. He was educated in the private schools of his native city, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1845. He joined the " Eagle artillery" of Baltimore, rose to the rank of lieutenant, and at the beginning of the Mexican war raised a company of volunteers. Captain Kenly took part in the battles that preceded the fall of Monterey, and when Colonel William H. Watson fell during that engagement he rallied and reformed the battalion. He returned to Baltimore on the expiration of his term of enlistment, but at once received a commission as major and returned to active service. After the war the general assembly of Maryland voted him the thanks of the state for gallantry in the field. He continued the practice of his profession until the beginning of the civil war, when he was commissioned colonel, 11 June, 1861, and given the command of the 1st Maryland regiment. In May, 1862, being stationed at Front Royal, he aided in checking the Confederate advance, and in saving the force under General Banks from capture. In this action Colonel Kenly was severely wounded and taken prisoner, but was exchanged on 15 August, and for his services at Front Royal was made brigadier-general on 22 August 1862. He was assigned to the command ' all the troops in Baltimore outside the forts, joined McClellan after the battle of Antietam, and rendered efficient service at Hagerstown and Harper's Ferry. In 1863 General Kenly led the Maryland brigade at the recapture of Maryland Heights, Harper's Ferry, and from that date until the close of the war he held various brigade commands in the 1st and 8th army corps. He was brevetted major-general of volunteers on 13 March, 1865, and after he was mustered out the general assembly of Maryland again passed a vote of thanks to him, and the corporation of Baltimore presented him with a sword. Since the close of the war General Kenly has devoted himself to his profession and to literature. He has written "Memoirs of a Maryland Volunteer," in the Mexican war (Philadelphia, 1873).

There is more about the auction as well...

[Mako]

that's an interesting aside

Aside, or not, how did a pistol issued to a Texan in the Mounted Rifles end up in his possession?  Rank and billet has privileges, and that goes a LONG way in regards to aquiring trophies.  I have read of Kenly.  Does it seem strange to you a man who is lauded for his exploits in the field ended up with a pistol that was collected in the hospital in Jalapa?  Pvt. Wilson didn't die on the field, he died in the hospital from an account I once read.  I also read the pistol was originally collected by the attending doctor and surrendered when ordered to.  I'll see if I can find that account again.

In  Memoirs of A Maryland Volunteer: War With Mexico, in the Years 1846-8, on page 366, Kenly states, "Nov 30 I was this day appointed by Colonel Hughes the military commandant of the garrison at Jalapa". On page 374, he further states, as part of his duties he was "to inspect the company drills, the company quarters, and the hospitals...". There is a mention that he picked up "interesting" firearms.  Pay very close attention to that last statement.   That's all I'm saying, I know how that works and I've had to fight administrators for the return of men's unissued (but it was even argued once "unauthorized") equipment that someone grew a little too attached to, or "misplaced...."  Today it's things like personal EOTech sights, Sure Fire flashlights, knives, etc.

No disrespect to Kenly or his family, but if you read other things you will find he was an "avid" collector.

That's all,
Mako

[Major 2]

  WE (you & I ) seem to run a bit mis-understood of each other....
I meant that was interesting added info....I did not know ( as Paul Harvey uase to say " NOW the rest of the story )

You've done your homework...and intrigued me to read more about it...

[Mako]

Major,
I think we're on the same page.  I apologize for letting my feelings show, as you can tell it gets my hackles up.

I follow anything about documented Ranger firearms and also about Percussion Colts.

~Mako 

[Fox Creek Kid]

There are a few people on the Shiloh Sharps Forum who know the (now former) owner of this Walker. He was an 80 something retired timber cutter in MT and something like the great, great nephew of the original owner. They said the money could not have went to a better fella. 

[Mako]

FCK,
Maybe in the grand scheme of things the balance of what is right has been somewhat re-established.  I'd like to think that's the case... It makes me a little more at peace with life.

Let's just hope the family of former Ranger Pvt. Samuel Wilson have prospered as well over the years.

~Mako

[Major 2]

Seth... The cyl.(s) were finished in the white.
The best (also the only) orginial Walker I ever held, belonged to the late Happy Shaahan of Alamo Village Bracketville Tx.
It was in fine condition and was from Co. A Texas Rangers , I don't recall who owned in the Rangers if I even was told.

[Major 2]

Here is another....


Title:
Rare and Desirable U.S. Colt Walker Model 1847 "D COMPANY" No. 211 Percussion Revolver

Description:
Rare and Desirable U.S. Colt Walker Model 1847 "D COMPANY" No. 211 Percussion Revolver
This is an extremely rare example of a Colt Walker U.S. Model 1847 revolver that was manufactured in 1847 as part of a 1000 revolver contract for the U.S. Army. The revolver has a half round barrel, loading lever attached by a T- spring ahead of the barrel lug, brass square-back trigger guard, iron back strap and one-piece walnut grip. The massive nine-inch barrel is marked: "ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY" on the top flat with the address reading from the breech to the muzzle. The right side of the barrel lug is roll-stamped: "US/1847" in two lines above the wedge screw. "D COMPANY No 211" is roll-stamped on the left side of the barrel lug above the wedge slot, on the left side of the frame and on the bottom of the iron back strap. The cylinder roll-engraved with the Ranger and Indian fight scene and the inscription: "MODEL U.S.M.R./ COLT'S PATENT. "D COM-Y No 211" is stamped in very small letters within the inscription. "871" is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder in small numbers between the chambers. This number indicates the revolver was the 871st revolver manufactured in the 1000 piece contract. The trigger guard is stamped: "D COMY No 211" in front of the trigger guard bow. The left side of the trigger guard underneath the grip and the inside of the grip are stamped with the serial number "211". All of the visible serial numbers match. The revolver has the original loading lever with a period replacement T-spring and hand-made replacement plunger. The barrel wedge is a handmade period replacement. The cylinder has a single safety pin between the chambers and has the distinctive pressure line just ahead of the oval cylinder stops. The U.S. contract Colt Walker revolvers were numbered 1-220 consecutively for Companies A-D and Colt manufactured 120 "E Company" marked revolvers to complete the 1000 revolver contract. The 220 D Company revolvers were delivered to the Army at New Orleans after the conclusion of the Mexican War and were shipped to the Baton Rouge Arsenal for storage in August 1848. The D Company Walker Revolvers were part of 500 Walker Revolvers subsequently issued to the 8th Military Department in Texas. Some of these revolvers were issued to the U.S. 2nd Dragoon Regiment and others were issued to Texas Rangers mustered into Federal service to fight Indians. Colt Walker Revolvers are rare in any condition. A Colt Walker Model Revolver is the key piece in any advanced Colt collection. Author R.L. Wilson stated that only 175 Walker revolvers are known to exist. This revolver was pictured on page 11 of the 1972 Texas Gun Collectors Antique Arms Annual Edition.

Condition:
Very good plus. The revolver has a very attractive gray brown age patina. The surfaces of the frame and barrel are generally smooth with minimal pitting and age discoloration and the expected, minor, dents and scratches. The left side of the barrel lug has small dents surrounding the wedge slot and the left edge of the wedge is battered. The back strap has moderate age discoloration. The left recoil shield and the sides of the hammer have light to moderate flash pitting. Approximately half of the Ranger and Indian fight scene and the "U.S.M.R." inscription is visible on the cylinder. Very few Walkers have any cylinder scene! The nipples and rear face of the cylinder have moderate flash pitting. The brass trigger guard has minor handling marks and a mellow age patina. The grip shows moderate handling wear with some minor age shrinkage and two very old chips on the toe at the junction of the back strap and trigger guard. Faint Ordnance sub-inspection marks are visible on the lower left sides of the grips. The barrel address and "D Company No. 211" markings are sharp and clear. The action functions perfectly. The U.S. contract Colt Walker Revolvers saw hard use during the Mexican War and on the Western Frontier; few of the surviving revolvers are found in "good" or better condition. This outstanding Colt Walker Revolver appears to be completely original except for the period replacement loading lever spring and plunger. It is an exceptional example of the most desirable model of all Colt firearms.

[Mako]

Major,
You need to inform us of these things ahead of time!  This one already sold for $210,000    .

~Mako