Lot 80

Historic Wm. H. Morris Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver & Swords

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Historic Wm. H. Morris Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver & Swords

Estimate: $85,000 - $130,000

Starting Bid: $75,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Spectacular, Historic, and Exceptionally Well-Documented Cased Early Factory Panel Scene Engraved Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver Inscribed to General William H. Morris with Two Officer's Swords and Scabbards, Portraits, and Extensive Documentation This incredible and historic lot consists primarily of a beautiful cased, factory engraved, and inscribed early Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver along with two officer's swords that belonged to Major General William Hopkins Morris (1827-1900) of New York who served as an officer in the U.S. Army in 1851-1854 and in the U.S. Volunteers in 1861-1864. Both sides of General Morris's family descended from signers of the Declaration of Independence: Robert Morris and Stephen Hopkins. His father General George Pope Harris was a brigadier general in the New York militia and was an influential editor, journalist, poet, and songwriter and co-founded the New York Evening Mirror and founded the National Press which later became the Home Journal and is still in print today as Town and Country. General William H. Morris began his own military career as a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York from July 1, 1846, to July 1, 1851. The revolver was manufactured the same year he graduated. After graduating, Morris was made a brevet second lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Infantry and served initially on garrison duty at Fort Columbus and Fort Wood in New York. He was promoted to second lieutenant on December 3, 1851. Morris was assigned to frontier duty in California in 1852 and was stationed at Fort Yuma, a key post at the Yuma crossing of the Colorado River during the California Gold Rush and Yuma War known to be one of the most difficult U.S. Army outposts. The fort was meant to maintain peace between the Quechan and Maricopa Indians as well as between the native peoples and the U.S. and to protect wagon trains heading overland to California along the Southern Emigrant Trail, but it was also one of the least hospitable posts in the entire country and would not have been the first choice of any sane officer. Temperatures there regularly sore over 100 degrees in the summers, and it is one of the driest locales in the entire country. There was also the threat of multiple Native American tribes in addition to the Quechans and Mexico to the immediate south. It was abandoned temporarily from December 6, 1851, until February 29, 1852, due to lack of supplies and an attack by Quechan (Yuma) warriors. In 1854, the Gadsden Purchase provided a slightly larger buffer between Fort Yuma and Mexico, and overtime the settlement of Arizona City (present day Yuma, Arizona) around the fort expanded, but by 1860, there was still only approximately 130 residents. In an historic letter to Samuel Colt on June 21, 1852, (copy included) U.S. Ordnance Inspector Major William A. Thornton wrote: "Be pleased to send me a Belt Pistol, of the kind and in all respects of good quality, such as you have heretofore favored me with. I want this Pistol for an officer who will leave shortly for California, and I will therefore thank you to send a set of extra springs and cones in the case with the other appendages. Be pleased to have Wm. H. Morris U.S.A. the name of the officer, marked on the pistol. Send along the price of the pistol, case and appendages complete, when you forward the pistol to me." Such detailed correspondence is virtually unheard of for American arms of the period, and Colt was likely very happy to oblige. In fact, R. L. Wilson wrote in an included letter that he doubted Colt ever charged Thornton as he was eager to get his wares into the hands of military officers. In 1852, Colt's "revolving belt pistol" was his latest and most versatile model and glowing reviews from a West Point graduate could certainly help with sales and military contracts. Due to ill-health in 1853 and early 1854, Morris was re-assigned to work on recruiting, and he resigned from the U.S. Army on February 28, 1854. As a civilian, he worked as the assistant editor of the New York "Home Journal" under his father. He was also the co-inventor with Charles L. Brown of the Morris & Brown "Conical Repeating Carbine" (U.S. Patent No. 26,919 dated January 24, 1860). The unusual design featured a non-rotating cylinder with the bullets traveling down angled channels in the conical section "funneling" them into the main bore. With the outbreak of the American Civil War, Morris again joined the U.S. Army as a volunteer officer and served through the war, rising from a captain to brevet major general of volunteers. While serving on the staff of General John J. Peck during the Peninsular Campaign, he was engaged during the Siege of Yorktown, Battle of Williamsburg, and Battle of Fair Oaks and had his horse wounded at the latter. In September 1862, he took command of the 135th New York Volunteer Infantry as colonel and was presented the included Tiffany & Co. sword. The following month, they were re-designated the 6th New York Heavy Artillery, and they served in the defenses of Fort McHenry and Harpers Ferry. In March of 1863, he was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers with rank from November 29, 1862. At the Battle of Gettysburg, his brigade was held in reserve, and they participated in the pursuit of Lee's army following the battle and were engaged at the Battle of Manassas Gap and Battle of Mine Run. In 1864, he was engaged in the Battle of the Wilderness. At the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, he was shot and wounded in the knee by a Confederate sharpshooter and disabled. This was not far from where General John Sedgwick was famously killed by a sharpshooter after being quoted as chiding his men saying: "Why are you dodging like this? They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance." Due to his injury, Morris was placed on leave and then worked on the Courts Martial and Military Commissions until mustering out on August 24, 1864. Morris was later brevetted to major general of volunteers with rank from March 13, 1865. After the war, he was a member of New York's 1866 Constitutional Convention and served as a brigadier general and chief of ordnance for the New York in 1869-1870 and inspector general 1873-1874. Morris also published "Field Tactics for Infantry" in 1864, and he later published "Tactics for Infantry, armed with Breech-loading or Magazine Rifle" in 1879 and a revised edition in 1888. He was also a companion in the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (framed appointment and a medal included) and member of George Washington Post 103 of the Grand Army of the Republic. He died in Long Branch, New Jersey, on August 26, 1900, and is buried in Cold Spring Cemetery in Cold Spring, New York. His obituaries noted he had been ill for multiple months and had distinguished himself as an officer, especially while leading the 6th New York Artillery. The revolver and swords are very well-known and have been featured in several publications. All three were featured in Ralph Arnold's article "The Swords of General W. H. Morris" in "Arms Gazette" in January 1977 and as the cover article "Together Again: The Colt Revolver and Swords of Major-General William H. Morris" by Greg Lampe in the July/August 2010 issue of "The Gun Report" (copies of both included). The revolver was further featured in the following publications by R. L. Wilson: pages 46 and 47 of "Colt Engraving" by R. L. Wilson, pages 62 and 63 of "The Colt Engraving Book, Vol. 1" by Wilson, and page 115 of "Steel Canvas." The swords and revolver are also accompanied by a large amount of original and research documentation compiled by Greg Lampe. Mr. Lampe indicated he acquired many of the documents from the Morris family. Among them are letters written and signed by Morris at varying points during his military career, including his time as a cadet at West Point and as a Union officer during the Civil War, as well as multiple portraits. Further documentation includes a detailed research letter from R. L. Wilson on the revolver. These publications and the original documents provided detailed insights into Morris's life discussed above. The revolver was manufactured in 1851 and features beautiful early factory engraving consisting primarily of flowing "donut" scrollwork on crosshatched backgrounds with floral accents along with an extraordinary bust of Samuel Colt on the left side of the barrel, a dog scene on the right, and patriotic shield on the trigger guard. The engraving is similar to the famous General Franklin Colt Model 1851 Navy (sn. 5270, see pages 1-20 of "Colt Factory Engravers of the Nineteenth Century" by Houze), and the engraving is identified as executed by Thomas J. Barlow who was one of the first engravers to work for Colt in Hartford. The barrel has a cone front sight and the one-line "-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-" address. "COLTS/PATENT" is hand inscribed among the scrollwork on the left side of the frame. The cylinder features the iconic Naval Battle of Campeche roll-scene and "COLTS PATENT No 6354/Engraved by W. L. ORMSBY. New York." The matching serial number "6354" is also marked on the loading lever, barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, and back strap, and the matching partial serial number "354" is on the wedge, arbor, and rear mortise of the grip. A dot denoting factory engraving is also marked on the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The left side of the trigger guard has a small "T" at the rear. The back strap features the factory inscription "WM. H. MORRIS/U.S.A." The fitted mahogany case has dark green lining, an L-shaped combination tool, cartridge pack, "COLT'S/PATENT" marked martial themed powder flask with sloped charger, brass bullet mold with "COLTS/PATENT" marked steel sprue cutter, Eley Bros. cap tin, bullet, and key. R. L. Wilson indicated he found the revolver c. 1967 in Virginia shortly after he discovered the historic Thorton letter discussed below. It was subsequently owned by Hans Barthel, Guns & Ammo publisher Robert E. Peterson, and Michael Simens (who won an award for the set at the Ohio Gun Collector's Association) and was finally purchased by Lampe in 1999. The two swords came from Ralph Arnold's collection and were purchased from General Morris's great-grandson. The first sword is Tiffany & Co. non-regulation Model 1850 Foot Officer's sword with a lightly curved 35 3/4 inch blade with elaborate patriotic and floral etching that includes "WARRANTED TO CUT WROUGHT IRON." on the right towards the ricasso and "TIFFANY & Co./NEW YORK." on the left ricasso. The iron hilt has pierced and engraved scroll patterns and a silver wire and dark shagreen wrapped grip. The iron scabbard has gilt brass mounts, and an etched inscription panel on each side. The obverse reads: "Presented to Col. Wm. H. MORRIS/by the Officers of the 135th N. Y. Vols/Sept. 1862.", and the reverse has the battle honors: "YORKTOWN/WILLIAMSBURG/SEVEN PINES/WHITE OAKS SWAM[P]/CHARLES CITY/CROSSROAD./HAXALLS./HARRISON LAN/DING". The second sword is an N. P. Ames officer's sword with distinctive gilt brass hilt with a spread wing eagle crossguard, knight's helm pommel, chain knuckle guard, and ribbed bone grip; approximately 30 1/2 inch straight blade with central fuller and etching featuring Tecumseh on the left, martial and foliate motifs, and "N. P. AMES/Cutler/Springfield" on the right; and a gilt brass scabbard with engraved foliate and eagle motifs on the obverse and "N.P. AMES/MAKER/CABOTVILLE/MASS." maker's mark.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: 1851 Navy

BBL: 7 1/2 inch octagon

Gauge: 36

Finish: blue/casehardened/silver

Grips: walnut

Serial Number6354

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: Revolver: General William H. Morris; R. L. Wilson; The Hans Barthel Collection; The Robert E. Peterson Collection; The Michael Simens Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection Swords: General William H. Morris; The Morris Family to Morris's Great Grandson; The Ralph E. Arnold Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection
  • Condition: Very fine with crisp factory engraving and inscription, 95% plus original silver plating on the grip straps remaining and displaying attractively aged patina, 50% plus bright original high polish blue finish on the barrel and cylinder, solid safety pins, distinct cylinder scene, 30% original case colors, the balance mostly silvered out, patches of light oxidation, and fairly minor overall wear mainly from age and storage. The grip is also very fine aside from a small chip at the toe on the left and retains most of the original varnish and has minor handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are fine with mild age and storage related wear and most of the lacquer remaining on the flask. The Tiffany & Co. swords is fine and has a bright blade with distinct etching, gray and brown patina on the hilt along with some mild pitting, and mild wear on the grip. The scabbard retains much of the gilt finish on the mounts, distinct inscriptions, and mottled brown on the balance. The Ames sword is also fine and has a mostly bright blade with distinct etching and minor staining, mix of original gilt finish and aged patina on the hilt and scabbard, and distinct designs. This is an incredible opportunity. The cased Colt and swords would each be highly desirable, but together they present an extremely rare opportunity to acquire multiple historic arms owned by a distinguished officer who served our country during 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