serial #B Company No. 45, .44 caliber, 8 7/8" barrel with good bore that shows rifling its entire length with scattered and patchy light pitting present, moderate in a couple areas. This revolver was recently discovered in Massachusetts and was sent to Herb Glass, Jr. for a complete evaluation. Mr. Glass studied the revolver for several days and provided a two page letter which states among other things that the revolver is a "Genuine Colt Walker, the existence of which was, apparently, previously unreported". The revolver shows period alterations and repairs by a frontier gunsmith. These include the conversion to a Navy style rammer latch with the dovetail for the original spring neatly filled and polished so it is nearly invisible. The cylinder pin shows a neatly done brazed repair and the barrel-to-frame fit was tightened by removing the frame pins and relieving the front of the frame which removed the two-digit serial number normally found between the pins. The muzzle of the barrel was neatly trimmed by 1/8" likely due to damage. The cylinder pins were then reversed and mounted within the barrel and fit within corresponding holes in the face of the frame. Glass calls this a most competent repair. It is interesting to note that the number "51" appears stamped on most parts including the cylinder pin, barrel breech between pins, side of the triggerguard near factory "45", on the side of the buttstrap, on the side of the hammer and on the face of the cylinder. Because this work was done by a frontier gunsmith there would be no need to apply assembly numbers as he would likely only be working on one gun at a time, Mr. Glass feels that these numbers represent the year of the work being completed. The wedge is a Dragoon wedge which is numbered 7499 which interestingly dates to about the 1850-51 period lending more credence to the "51" representing the date of repair work. Once the repairs and alterations were completed the gun was refinished which has removed the pressure ridge normally found on the cylinder and also has caused some of the original markings to become light or no longer visible. The barrel address is evenly light and only partially legible, under magnification with proper light, most letters are visible. The "1847" above the wedge screw remains legible, the "B" and "45" are visible on the left side of the barrel with the balance of the "B COMPANY NO. 45" being no longer visble. The "B COMPANY No 45" on left side of frame is fully legible. The serial number is also completely legible on the triggerguard and is completely removed from the buttstrap. The "B" and "45" are both visible on the cylinder and "45" is stamped on the front inlet of the grips. The metal surfaces of the revolver show a deep brown patina with scattered old oxidation present along with some traces of the blue finish which was applied in 1851. Interestingly the triggerguard shows a good deal of original silverplated finish which is heavily tarnished and is an unusual treatment but according to Glass is not unique as he has other martial Walkers that has their triggerguards originally silveplated. The grips were varnished at time of refinish and they still retain a good deal of that finish remaining and with significant chips at each toe. Walker revolvers all saw hard service and this example is no exception. Glass notes that the revolver saw hard use resulting in damage and was refurbished on the frontier in 1851 and then returned to service where it acquired considerable wear to the new finish. This revolver could have very well seen Civil War service and if it did, it would have been most likely used by a Confederate soldier and perhaps was returned to Massachusetts as a war trophy only to be stored away and forgotten about. Mr. Glass makes it very clear how untouched this revolver is stating "I can state with absolute certainty that this gun had not been fully disassembled since its period of use." Any Walker revolver is a treasure for the advanced U.S. martial or Colt collector. They have been coveted with serial numbers of known examples recorded by scholars since the forties and fifties. The fact that this revolver was previously unknown and remains in such an honest and untouched state of preservation make this a truly special Walker revolver and an exciting discovery for the Colt collecting fraternity. (17905-1) {ANTIQUE}