3039 RARE CIVIL WAR CALIFORNIA PRESENTATION COLT M-1862

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,500.00 USD
Estimated at 3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
"MAJOR SALVADOR VALLEJO, 1ST CAVALRY BRIGADE OF CALIFORNIA". The 1st Battalion, California Native Cavalry was organized at large in California March, 1863 to July 1864. The battalion assigned to duty in the District of Arizona May, 1865 and operated against Indians in that District until April 1866. The battalion mustered out April 2, 1866. There cannot be many if another presentation Colt To anyone in the first California Native Cavalry. Colt 1862 pocket police is in the standard configuration with the longest 6.5" barrel with one line New York address, mounted with smooth ivory grips with inset silver shield with bear above Spanish inscription which translates: "1ST CAVALRY BATTALION OF THE HOMELAND OF CALIFORNIA". The backstrap has is there a chance three line script inscription: "To Major Salvador Vallejo / from his supporters / JC Cremony—R. Juneiro—R. Cruz". Revolver shows long hard use but not abused and has been housed and an original English oak Colt casing with bag flask, "COLTS PATENT" mold, cap tin, and reproduction cartridge packs. Salvador Vallejo (1815-1876) was part of a large family of early settlers in California. Salvador's older and more famous brother Mariano Guadalupe the Yahoo would serve as the last Mexican governor of California and favored American annexation. Salvador add reputation of being the most graceful horseman, the best shot and the finest swordsman in California. He carried out brutal, bloody campaigns against Native Americans who resisted the incursions of Spanish settlers. He led many campaigns following his brother's commands, but maybe not the best officer in the American army Major General Irwin McDowell reported on January 14th 1865 "The first obstacle encountered by me in discipline and instructing the battalion of native cavalry at this post is the inefficiency and the utter worthlessness of its commander, Major Salvador Vallejo, of all the troops in the service of the United States, these perhaps, require the most efficient officers and actually possess the poorest. Ignorance of the English language, of itself, in my humble opinion, unfits the major for a command…." Vallejo would resign his commission in perfect English on February 14. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: large file of research and biographical material on Salvador Vallejo. CONDITION: revolver is good to very good overall, appears complete and original, mottled grey patina with pitting. Markings all discernible, including silver plaque, inscription & barrel address. Accompanying English oak casing is good, mold and flask are average. PROVENANCE: from the Lifelong Collection of Robert "Mike" Bricker. (01-25063/JS). ANTIQUE. $3,000-4,000.