Lot 1117

Historic Colonel John Green Shipped Antique Single Action Army

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Historic Colonel John Green Shipped Antique Single Action Army

Estimate: $20,000 - $30,000

Starting Bid: $18,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Fine, Historic and Well-Documented Medal of Honor Recipient Colonel John Green "Indian Fighter" Shipped Antique Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letters The two accompanying factory letters both state this revolver was the sole gun of its type in a shipment on September 19, 1882, to "Col. Green" at an unlisted address, in .45 caliber with blue finish and barrel length and type of grips not listed, a common indication of a 7 1/2 inch barrel and a walnut grip which were standard for the period. The individual recipient Colonel Green listed in the factory letter is John Green (November 20, 1825-November 22, 1908), a German born American who had a decorated career with the U.S. Army between 1846-1848 in the Mexican-American War and 1852-1889 active in the Civil War and Indian Wars. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on November 18, 1897, for his bravery and leadership on January 17, 1873, during the First Battle of the Stronghold of the Modoc Campaign (also known as the Lava Beds War or Modoc War) in northeastern California holding the rank of major at the time with the 1st U.S. Cavalry. His Medal of Honor citation states: "In order to reassure his command, this officer, in the most fearless manner and exposed to very great danger, walked in front of the line; the command, thus encouraged, advanced over the lava upon the Indians who were concealed among the rocks." Green's men were initially reluctant to fight the Modoc warriors, but Green proceeded in front of his men and exposed himself to enemy fire, slapping his gloves in his palm for emphasis, which encouraged his crew to fight. Green survived, although he was injured, and remained in command. John Green's November 23, 1908, dated obituary in Idaho's newspaper The Coeur d'Alene Press is boldly headlined "GEN. JOHN GREEN INDIAN FIGHTER" and states, "General Green saw 43 years of active service in the army, and had a venturesome career. He saw service in the west when the country was first being opened up for settlement, and participated in many of the wars between the regulars and the Indians. The Indians, when he first came to the west for military service, were in full possession of the country, and were massacring settlers everywhere, and it kept the government troops busy to protect the settlers, and fight the Indians. During his campaigns with the Indians he saw much hardships. He was a successful fighter and seemed to be a man whom fear was a foreign element, and during his career he was honored four times for his gallantry in action." Green entered service with the U.S. Army on July 1, 1846 at 20 years old and fought in the Mexican-American War as a first sergeant of the U.S. Mounted Rifles under General Winfield Scott. He was discharged in August 1848 after the Mexican-American War, and would again re-enlist with the same regiment in September 1852. At the time of the outbreak of the Civil War, he held the rank of first lieutenant of the 2nd Dragoons, and was promoted to captain on August 13, 1861, continuing service with the same regiment, renamed the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, throughout the war. For his service at the Battle of Gettysburg, he received a brevet promotion to major, and then to lieutenant colonel for further service during the Civil War. In June 1868, he was promoted to major of the 1st Cavalry Regiment and fought against the Apaches in Arizona. He was in command at Fort Klamath, Oregon, at the start of the Modoc War in July 1872, and bravely participated in the First Battle of the Stronghold in January 1873 where he would gain himself the Medal of Honor. He continued to fight and commanded a battalion of cavalry and infantry under Colonel Alvan C. Gillem during the Second Battle of the Stronghold fought between April 15-17, 1873, in which the U.S. forces successfully captured Captain Jack's Stronghold; a holdout of the Modoc people named after the Native American chief Kintpuash who was referred to as "Captain Jack," located between Tulelake and Canby, California, which is now part of Lava Beds National Monument. This revolver would have been privately purchased in 1882 by John Green and carried by him during the time when he was commander of Fort Boise, Idaho, throughout the 1880s during the Indian Wars, in which he is listed in official documents confirming he was present at Fort Boise in the shipment year 1882 as major of the 1st Cavalry with the brevet rank of lieutenant colonel. His rank and position remained as such throughout the 1880s listed in various "Returns from Military Posts" documents showing him present as commander at Fort Boise up until John Green retired from his post in late 1889; after serving as commander of Fort Boise and alternately as commander of Fort Maginnis and Fort Walla Walla. He received a brevet promotion to brigadier general in 1890. The barrel has the one-line Colt Hartford address on top, the left of the frame has the three-line patent dates, and "45 CAL" is marked on the left of the trigger guard. Inspection initials "B" and "O" are marked on the rear of the cylinder. Matching visible full serial numbers are marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and butt, with matching partial "3114" on the cylinder, and assembly number "7617" on the loading gate. It has a blade front sight and frame-top groove rear sight with a smooth walnut one-piece grip.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: Single Action Army

BBL: 7 1/2 inch round

Gauge: 45 Long Colt

Finish: blue/casehardened

Grips: walnut

Serial Number73114

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: Colonel Green; The Eldon Owens Collection; Herb Glass Jr.; The Pelton Family Collection
  • Condition: Fine, retains 40% plus original blue finish and captivating case colors, with smooth gray patina and some charming surface freckling, with a few small patches of very minor surface pitting, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. The grip is very fine, flush fitting, retains nearly all of the original glossy piano varnish finish, with some scratches and nicks, and exceptionally well-defined edges. Mechanically excellent. A truly historic revolver shipped to the decorated Medal of Honor recipient "Indian Fighter" Colonel John Green!

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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