Lot 123

Captain Whiteley's Presentation Colt Root with Charter Oak Grip

Previous image preload Next image preload

Captain Whiteley's Presentation Colt Root with Charter Oak Grip

Estimate: $55,000 - $85,000

Starting Bid: $47,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Very Fine and Extremely Historic Recently Discovered Cased Factory Presentation Engraved Colt Model 1855 “Root” Pocket Percussion Revolver with Extremely Rare Charter Oak Grip and Inscription for U.S. Ordnance Inspector Captain R. H. K. Whiteley Samuel Colt's "New Model Pocket Pistol," generally known to collectors as the Model 1855 Pocket or "Root" revolver after Elisha K. Root, is a very distinctive model and was Colt's only production percussion revolving handgun built with a solid frame. These attractive pocket revolvers made for excellent presentation pieces, especially when factory engraved and, in this rare historic example, factory inscribed and mounted with a historic Charter Oak grip. The Charter Oak gripped revolvers are among the rarest and most desirable of all Colt percussion firearms. Less than ten Colt Model 1855 revolvers and one Model 1849 Pocket Revolver are known to have been fitted with these historic grips, mostly for presentation by Samuel Colt himself to his friends and business allies; in this case, the revolver is inscribed to U.S. Army Captain R. H. K. Whiteley a government inspector of Colt firearms. A letter sold at auction in 1982 written by Whiteley at the New York Arsenal to Samuel Colt thanked him for gifts stating: "My dear Friend...I accept with sincere pleasure your superb gift, so wholly unexpected, & shall cherish it above all price. 'Colt on the Constitution, Higher Law, & Irrepressible Conflict' - Is a most beautiful idea elegantly expressed. I cannot express the admiration I feel for the excellence, style, & superior finish of pistols & cases - I tender you my warmest thanks, coupled with my best wishes for your health, prosperity, & happiness." The Charter Oak was a massive, ancient oak tree that grew on Wyllys Hyll in Hartford, Connecticut, and has remained an enduring symbol of Connecticut. It was a landmark for Native Americans even prior to European settlement and earned its moniker due to local lore that said Connecticut's Royal Charter of 1662 was hidden in the famous tree in 1687 to prevent it from being taken by Governor General Edmund Andros. Tragically, the tree was blown over in a severe storm on August 21, 1856. A large funeral service was held at which Samuel Colt’s band played dirges in its honor. American author Isaac W. Stuart, the owner of the property, had several items prepared from the wood, including furniture for the state capitol. The wood was also used to create other special items, including grips on revolvers presented by Samuel Colt, furniture for Colt's mansion, walking sticks (including one presented to President Andrew Johnson), and other historical artifacts. Given the significance of the special Charter Oak grips, nearly all of the Charter Oak gripped revolvers were inscribed for presentations. This Model 2 variant of the "Root" revolver was manufactured in 1855 and has the inscription "Capt R. H. K. Whiteley/U.S. Army" on the back strap. A "compliments of Col. Colt" or "compliments of the Inventor" inscription may have been specifically left off to avoid evidence of impropriety similar to other presentations to government officials. When Captain Whiteley received the revolver is unclear, but he was noted as a recent arrival at the United States Hotel in Hartford on October 7, 1856. The revolver features high coverage and finely executed scroll engraving with beaded backgrounds. The engraving is attributed as the work of Herman Bodenstein and is quite extraordinary in the minuteness of the details. Another Model 1855 with a Charter Oak grip is pictured on pages 22 and 23 of "Colt Engravers of the Nineteenth Century" by Herbert G. Houze. The hammer has twelve dots in the chevron below the knurling. Dots on the hammers of engraved Colts are often said to each represent a full day of engraving work. The barrel has a brass cone front sight and has the standard manicule, "+COLT'S PT/1855+," and "ADDRESS COL. COLT/HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.+" markings on top and the matching serial number on the bottom. The cylinder has the cabin and Indian scene, "COLTS PATENT" etching, and matching serial number. The serial number is also repeated on the butt. The mahogany case contains a "COLTS/PATENT" marked pocket model powder flask with a design based on the Great Seal of the United States on one side, "COLTS/PATENT" marked double cavity bullet mold, "L" shaped combination tool, cap tin, and key. Robert Henry Kirkwood Whiteley (1809-1896) is most familiar to arms collectors as a government arms inspector, and his "R.H.K.W." cartouche can notably be seen on U.S. contract Colt revolvers from the period. Colt was well-known for making presentations to Ordnance staff to curry favor with influential government officials who could influence arms contracts and the acceptance or rejection of Colt's firearms. Whiteley was a graduate of the United States Military Academy from Delaware in the Class of 1830 and was initially assigned to the U.S. 2nd Artillery and served in the Seminole Wars in Florida and was in charge of relocating one of the groups of the Cherokee during the Trail of Tears. He was transferred to the Ordnance Department in 1838. He was promoted to captain on March 27, 1842, and by the time of his retirement in 1866 he was a colonel and brevet brigadier general. During his career he was in command of several U.S. arsenals throughout the country, including at Baton Rouge, St. Louis, New York, San Antonio, and Allegheny. While at the Baton Rouge Arsenal, he armed the regiments that passed through on their way to the Mexican-American War, including the men of Captain Samuel Walker and Colonel John Coffee Hays's units. Charles Pate on page 35 of "The Colt Walker Army Revolver" notes: "On his way back to Texas to organize his regiment, Hays stopped at the Baton Rouge Arsenal and was issued 500 percussion pistols and other stores for his Texas Rangers. Most others were getting flint pistols at this time." Hays's men along with Walker's were notably also both armed with the famous Colt Walkers forwarded to Veracruz. The second 500 Colt Walkers were sent to Whiteley at Baton Rouge. He issued 459 Walkers to U.S. troops under the command of Major General William J. Worth stationed in New Mexico, many to the U.S. 2nd Dragoons. Whiteley was the commander at San Antonio when the arsenal was seized by secessionist Texans at the beginning of the Civil War and refused to join the Confederacy.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: 1855 Root Pocket

BBL: 3 1/2 inch octagon

Gauge: .28

Finish: blue

Grips: Charter Oak

Serial Number2486

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: U.S. Ordnance Inspector Captain R. H. K. Whiteley; A Private Collection
  • Condition: Very fine with crisp inscription and engraving, distinct markings, 50% bright original high polish blue finish remaining, 80% original case colors, smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, and light oxidation and handling wear. The grip is also very fine and has some light edge wear mostly confined to the butt and minor handling marks. Mechanically functions. The case and accessories are fine with age and storage related wear including minor cracks in the underside of the case. This is a very rare opportunity to acquire not only a stunning factory presentation engraved and Charter Oak gripped Model 1855 but one inscribed to an influential U.S. Ordnance Inspector who inspected Colts for the U.S. Army.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Rock Island Auction will contact you shortly after the auction has completed. We will arrange for shipping and or pickup.

Rock Island Auction Company

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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