$7,050
Colt Pocket Pistol Belonging to Civil War Col. Samuel W. Black, c. 1861, the pistol with serial no. 177142, all numbers matching, octagonal barrel marked "ADDRESS SAM'L COLT HARTFORD CT.," the cylinder with engraved stagecoach scene, original walnut grip, brass butt plate with engraved lettering "Col. Samuel W. Black Company D Pennsylvania Volunteers," total lg. 9 3/4 in.; together with an epaulet with a spreadwing eagle embroidered in metallic threads, and a carte-de- visite of Col. Samuel W. Black in uniform by Matthew Brady, identified in pencil on the back "Col. Saml Black PA.VOL." Note: Samuel W. Black was a soldier, lawyer, and politician. He was born on September 3, 1816, in Pittsburgh, graduated from Western University, was married and had one son. He trained as a lawyer, became a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Mexican War in 1846-48, and went on to become governor of the Nebraska Territory in 1859. Being loyal to the cause of saving the Union, he resigned his governorship 1861 and returned to Pittsburgh to organize a regiment in Lincoln's army. He was a Colonel in the Union army and was killed in battle at Gaines Mill, Virginia, on June 27, 1862.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2005-02-20
