3047 INCREDIBLE CASED & ENGRAVED PRESENTATION CIVIL WAR

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 5,000.00 USD
Estimated at 10,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
SMITH & WESSON ARMY REVOLVER, CAPT. P.B. WILSON, 2ND PA CAV, ELMIRA, NY. Cal. 32RF. S# 25202. Maj. Wison commanding Barracks No. 1 at Elmira, NY must have been well loved by the 45 noncoms and officers under his command. This beautiful, engraved silver and gold plated Smith & Wesson army revolver was presented December 8th, 1864 as seen by the beautiful polychrome calligraphy 11" x 4.5" presentation inside top lid of mahogany casing. Revolver is housed in a royal purple lined mahogany casing with engraved plaque in the lid "Major P. Benner Wilson / 2nd Penn Cavalry / Bellefonte Penn". You will not find a better Civil War presentation Smith & Wesson revolver. Philip Benner Wilson (1822-1871) mustered into service as a 39 year old captain, January 16, 1862 of 2nd Ohio Cavalry, he was promoted to major in May, 1863. He became too ill for active field service, in October 1864 was given command of Barracks No. 1 at Elmira, New York barracks which sat on high ground above the Elmira prison camp. It housed recruits, veteran volunteers, and prison guards. At this time there were over 20,000 prisoners at barracks No. 3. By March 1865, Major Wilson was commanding officer at Elmira prison camp. He would stay until August 8, 1865, go home and muster out. CONDITION: excellent overall, revolver retains virtually all its original silver and most of its original thinning gold. Fine well fit original ivory grips have fine mellow patina. Revolver was not taken apart but inside box there is a note stating "gun cleaned Feb 7, 1937 with name & Bellefonte, PA. Mechanically fine, bright crisp bore. Casing is fine, most original varnish with crazing. PROVENANCE: John G. Hamilton collection; pictured as "Roll of Honor" firearm in "Man at Arms" May-June 1988; from the Lifelong Collection of Robert "Mike" Bricker. (01-25066/JS). ANTIQUE. $10,000-20,000.