Lot 3176

Rev. D.W. Cahill Presentation Engraved Colt 1855 Pocket Revolver

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Rev. D.W. Cahill Presentation Engraved Colt 1855 Pocket Revolver

Estimate: $14,000 - $22,500

Starting Bid: $12,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 23, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Well-Documented and Historic Presentation Cased Factory Engraved Nickel and Gold Colt Model 1855 "Root" Pocket Percussion Revolver with Checkered Ivory Grip Presentation Inscribed to The Very Reverend D. W. Cahill from his Fellow Countrymen Employed in Col. Colt's Armory on June 1, 1861 This stunning and historic revolver is inscribed: "Presented to D. W. Cahill D.D./by his Fellow Country men of/Col. Colt's Armory Hartford Conn. U.S.A." on the back strap, and the central escutcheon on the deluxe presentation case is similarly inscribed: "Presented/to/The very Revd. D. W. Cahill/D. D. by his fellow Country/Men employed in Col. Colt's/Armory Hartford, Connecticut/June 1st 1861". The inscriptions indicate the revolver was presented by Irish-Americans employed at the Colt Armory to Reverend Daniel William Cahill, D.D. (1796-1864), on June 1, 1861, during the early months of the American Civil War while Cahill was touring giving lectures in New England. Cahill was pointed critic of the Church of Ireland and government. Cahill was ordained and awarded a doctorate of divinity by the Pope. In addition to his studies of religion, he was fluent in Italian and French, played violin, was a professor of natural philosophy, and opened the Seafort School in Williamstown in 1835 where the curriculum concentrated on astronomy and chemistry. Five years later, he was a professor of theology and the principal of Prospect Seminary. In 1846, he went on a lecture tour through Scotland, and in 1859, he sold his furniture in preparation for his tour of America. His works had been published in New York in 1854, and he arrived in the U.S. on Christmas Eve in 1859. At 6 ft. 5 in., he was an imposing figure, taller than President Lincoln. His letters home were frequently featured in the Catholic Telegraph expressing his views and insights into world events, including the American Civil War. Shortly before the First Battle of Bull Run, he reported that many in the North presumed "the South will yield; or that they will strike after the first shook of battle. All good men pray fervently for this happy consummation, as the terrors of a prolonged war, with such armies on both sides, could not be calculated." The Hartford Courant advertised his lecture at Touro Hall on May 22, 1861, covering "Ireland- Her Priesthood and Her People". Tickets were 25 cents. On the 21st, they noted "Dr. Cahill's lecture is likely to attract a big crown on Wednesday night. The subject itself is one that admits of sufficient latitude, and the Doctor, above all men, is best adapted to do it ample justice." Samuel Colt's factory provided numerous German, Irish, and English immigrants with work upon the arrival in America, including the now famous engraver Gustave Young who was Colt's primary engraving contractor starting in the mid-1850s. Colt built twenty homes for his workers near the factory to house up to 145 families and also recreational activities, including the Charter Oak Hall where they could attend lectures on a variety of subject from visiting orators. It is possible that Cahill gave a lecture there in the days that followed the lecture at Touro Hall and was at the time presented with this revolver. After his tour in America, he went to Canada in 1862, and then returned to Boston, Massachusetts, where he died on October 28, 1864. This historic revolver is featured as gun 97 on page 155 of the included copy of "Samuel Colt Presents: A Loan Exhibition of Presentation Percussion Colt Firearms" from the Wadsworth Atheneum. The book is signed to Otto Wiedemann from Herb Glass twice, including on page 155 as "To - Otto & Ted Wiedemann who may be justifiably proud of owning this magnificent pistol - Herb Glass Mar. 1. 62." It is also featured on page 73 of "The Book of Colt Engraving", on page 94 of "Colt Engraving", and page 144 of "The Book of Colt Engraving Volume 1" by R. L. Wilson with the note that "Presentations to a man of the cloth are of the utmost rarity in Colt firearms, whatever the period." This Model 3 variation was manufactured in 1860 and features classic Gustave Young pattern scroll engraving with a small eagle head among the scrollwork on the left side ahead of the grip, beaded backgrounds, borders, and a banner around the serial number on the butt. It is finished in nickel along with gold wash on the loading lever, fluted cylinder, and hammer. On page 153 of "The Book of Colt Firearms", R. L. Wilson wrote, "Full silver and silver and gold plating are sometimes encountered, but there finishes are rare." He makes no mention of nickel plating which was not economically viable for firearms until the end of the decade. The barrel has a small cone front sight, the pointing hand motif and "+COLT'S PT/1855+" and "ADDRESS COL. COLT/HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A." marked on top of the barrel, a top strap groove rear sight, the matching serial number on the underside of the barrel and back of the cylinder in addition to the butt, "MAY 4th 1858" on the cylinder pin, and a checkered ivory grip. The deluxe rosewood presentation case has silver plated brass mounts and contains an exceptional blued bullet mold, oversized loading rod, small Great Seal of the U.S. themed pocket flask, high polish blued L-shaped combination tool, and an Eley Bros. cap tin.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: 1855 Root Pocket

BBL: 3 1/2 inch octagon

Gauge: .28

Finish: nickel/gold

Grips: antique ivory

Serial Number25318

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: Very Reverend Daniel W. Cahill, D. D.; The Herb Glass Collection; "Samuel Colt Presents: A Loan Exhibition of Presentation Colt Firearms" at the Wadsworth Atheneum; The Otto and Theodore Wiedemann Collection; The Chris de Guigne and Greg Martin Collection; A Private Collection
  • Condition: Very fine with crisp factory engraving, markings, and historical inscription; 95% plus period replaced nickel, most of the bright original nitre blue on the screws, gold concentrated on one side of the cylinder and in the protected areas of the hammer, some flash pitting concentrated on the inside of the top strap, and otherwise fairly minimal light age and storage related wear. The slightly age shrunken grip is also very fine has crisp checkering, attractive aged patina, small age lines, and light wear. Mechanically functions. The case and accessories are also very fine and have the majority of the original finish with some fading and dark aged patina on the silver mounts, minor cracks in the case, and generally minor age and storage wear. Overall, a stunning case set made all the more desirable by its historical presentation by Colt's workmen to a notable public figure at the beginning of the Civil War.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000