Beschreibung:

LOT DESCRIPTION Rarely has a more important or unique pair of Colt percussion revolvers and associated artifacts been offered for sale. This lot includes the only known Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver with a case hardened cylinder and browned rather than blued barrel. The only known Colt Model 1855 "Root" Sidehammer Revolver with a casehardened frame along with being the only known antique Colt firearm with a name (L. Ballou) marked in place of the serial number. Revolvers are housed in an equally unique London made, deluxe Hartford style walnut fitted case with brass corners and brass escutcheon marked "L. BALLOU / LONDON". Most interesting, this London made case is set up to accept the Hartford made 1855 Sidehammer, and London made 1851 Navy, with an American style powder flask rather than an English style flask. This feature in itself is unique and stands as a testament to Ballou’s influence and ability to have items custom made in the Colt shops to his specifications. Also included are the only known surviving 19th century pair of Rampant Colt Sculptures. The lot further includes a custom London made Traveling Desk, Tea Chest, Sewing Box, Snuff Box, “Sea Trunk”, and, most importantly, L. Ballou’s Engineering Handbook that is inscribed to him by Colonel Samuel Colt -MKS- HISTORY OF LOREN BALLOU The cased set is accompanied by important artifacts, documents, records and a three-ring binder with letters, photo-copies and other material. This research was performed at the request of Al Cali by R.L. “Larry” Wilson during the early 1960s. The research in some detail documents the career of Loren Ballou, born August 24, 1828 in Hinsdale, NH and died August 18, 1880 in Syracuse New York. At the time of death, Ballou was employed by the W.H. Baker Gun Co. as factory foreman. Beginning as early as 1851, Loren Ballou served as a trusted and well-placed employee with Colonel Colt and his company, not only in Hartford, but in London. Quoting from a highly detailed five-page letter dated November 25, 1964, from Wilson (then Curator of Firearms, at what is today known as the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford): "L. Ballou was an important Samuel Colt representative and employee in whom the Colonel placed great trust and obviously had great respect.” Loren Ballou was employed by Colt as a manufacturing engineer. His years of service are believed to have begun in 1851 and continuing through 1866 with various records providing more details of his services. According to Wilson's research: L. Ballou was in Europe from approximately May 1856 to February 1859, and was instrumental in closing Colt's factory in London, as well as acting as Colt's European representative with major responsibility of investigating future manufacturing possibilities for the company. Wilson’s research documents Ballou's salary with Colt during 1856 through 1866 with figures that ranged from $1,500 to $2,000 annually. A comparison of Ballou’s salary paid through this period confirms the importance of his position with Colt. As an example, during 1857, his salary ranked third beneath Colt’s Vice President E.K. Root’s salary of $5000, and Secretary L.P. Sergeant’s salary of $3000. In 1862, the pay scale ranked Ballou above Sergeant and third only to Root, now President with a salary of $5000. The 1866 scale had W.B. Franklin, Vice President’s salary of $6000, with Harbison next with $2500 and Ballou third with an annual salary of $2000. Upon leaving Colt in 1866, the company saw fit to present Ballou with a Model 1855 Revolving Shotgun and a “New Model” 1855 Sidehammer Pocket revolver with a 3-1/2 inch barrel. Colt’s Journal B, pages 342 and 352 documents the presentation. Accompanying documentation provides a photocopied letter dated 1853 requesting Loren Ballou's services as Foreman of Colt’s London Machine Shop, as well as " General Assistant throughout the Manufactory." The letter indicates that both Colonel Colt and Elisha Root were trying to hire Ballou for