Author Topic: 'HOLY GRAIL' OF CANADIAN MILITARY HANDGUN COLLECTING ACQUIRED - NOW RECEIVED!  (Read 13974 times)

Offline RattlesnakeJack

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Gentlemen:

REJOICE WITH ME!

I am pleased to announce that, after considerable soul searching followed by a bit of dickering, I have struck a deal with a Canadian antique arms dealer to purchase from him an example of the "Holy Grail" of Canadian Military Handgun collecting - a Canada Militia London Colt "Navy" revolver,  811 of which were acquired in 1855/56 by the pre-Confederation Province of Canada as part of the equipment for issue to Troops of Volunteer Militia Cavalry.  Being the rarest .... and costliest, of course ..... this was the only original 1855-1955 primary-issue Canadian military handgun i did not yet have in my collection ..... until now!

Pre-Confederation Canada (a union of Lower Canada and Upper Canada  - the southernmost parts of present-day Quebec and Ontario, respectively) along with the other self-governing colonies in the Empire had just had a much-expanded responsibility for its own military defense thrust upon it, as a result of Britain's involvement in the Crimean War.  A new Militia Act was passed in 1855, under which the Militia was reorganized and expanded, and which also provided for the acquisition and distribution of the necessary arms and equipment.  (All arms and equipment had been provided by Britain, previously.)

The variation of the Colt Model 1851 percussion revolver manufactured in Colt's London Factory was the issue handgun for Militia Cavalry, who were organized in Troops of (nominally) 50 men.   Each revolver was to be marked either "U.C." (Upper Canada) or "L.C." (Lower Canada) over a Letter ("A", "B", etc.) denoting the specific Cavalry Troop, over a "rack number" for that revolver within the allotment issued to that Troop.  Records indicate that 255 revolvers were issued and appropriately marked in Lower Canada, and that there were 556 "Upper Canada Colts".  Only about 200 of these revolvers are known to have survived.

The revolver I have just acquired is one of the Upper Canada Colts - number 4 of those issued to "B" Troop, headquartered at St. Catharines .....





In case you wish to read more, here are some relevant "period" documents.  (Click on each thumbnail to view - you may have to click again on the image which comes up in my Photobucket album, to see it full size.)

Militia General Order of 16 May 1856, dealing with the distribution of newly acquired Arms.  Note that over half of this document relates specifically to the newfangled "six-shooting Colt's pistol", including fairly detailed instructions for loading and cleaning -


Receipt signed by the Captain of an Upper Canada Cavalry Troop - in this case. Troop "I", headquartered at Essex - for the arms and equipment to be issued to members of his Troop -


Bond of Indemnity entered into by a Trooper and Guarantor (likely his father, or perhaps a brother) for the return of the Colt revolver issued to him.  Note that this Bond relates to revolver number 16 issued in the same St. Catharines Troop as my revolver!
Rattlesnake Jack Robson, Scout, Rocky Mountain Rangers, North West Canada, 1885
Major John M. Robson, Royal Scots of Canada, 1883-1901
Sgt. John Robson, Queen's Own Rifles of Canada, 1885
Bvt. Col, Commanding International Dept. and Div.  of Canada, Grand Army of the Frontier

Offline Icebox Bob

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Re: 'HOLY GRAIL' OF CANADIAN MILITARY HANDGUN COLLECTING ACQUIRED!
« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2010, 10:11:58 PM »
 :) CONGRATULATIONS!  :)

That revolver couldn't have found a better home.   :D
Well.... see, if you take your time, you get a more harmonious outcome.

Offline Sir Charles deMouton-Black

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Re: 'HOLY GRAIL' OF CANADIAN MILITARY HANDGUN COLLECTING ACQUIRED!
« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2010, 10:41:10 PM »
CONGRATULATIONS!
NCOWS #1154, SCORRS, STORM, BROW, 1860 Henry, Dirty Rat 502, CHINOOK COUNTRY
THE SUBLYME & HOLY ORDER OF THE SOOT (SHOTS)
Those who are no longer ignorant of History may relive it,
without the Blood, Sweat, and Tears.
With apologies to George Santayana & W. S. Churchill

"As Mark Twain once put it, “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme.”

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Offline St. George

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Re: 'HOLY GRAIL' OF CANADIAN MILITARY HANDGUN COLLECTING ACQUIRED!
« Reply #3 on: April 07, 2010, 10:51:22 PM »
Congratulations!

Vaya,

Scouts Out!
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It Wasn't Schoolboys and Ladies - It Was Cowtowns and Sin..."

Offline Curley Cole

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Re: 'HOLY GRAIL' OF CANADIAN MILITARY HANDGUN COLLECTING ACQUIRED!
« Reply #4 on: April 08, 2010, 01:00:57 AM »
RJ

outstanding

curley
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Offline Niederlander

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Re: 'HOLY GRAIL' OF CANADIAN MILITARY HANDGUN COLLECTING ACQUIRED!
« Reply #5 on: April 08, 2010, 05:16:08 AM »
Outstanding aquisition, Sir!
"There go those Nebraskans, and all hell couldn't stop them!"

Offline Pitspitr

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Re: 'HOLY GRAIL' OF CANADIAN MILITARY HANDGUN COLLECTING ACQUIRED!
« Reply #6 on: April 08, 2010, 05:17:57 AM »
AM REJOICING
Congratulations!
I remain, Your Ob'd Servant,
Jerry M. "Pitspitr" Davenport
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Grand Army of the Frontier
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Offline River City John

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Re: 'HOLY GRAIL' OF CANADIAN MILITARY HANDGUN COLLECTING ACQUIRED!
« Reply #7 on: April 08, 2010, 07:02:52 AM »
I'll bet those illuminating rays from Heaven shine down and a heavenly chorus sings the praise of that revolver whenever you look at it. ;D


But a man needs a dream.


Your quest is not finished. Now you must find the Holier Grail of a 'l c' marked Colt.


RCJ


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"He who will not look backward with reverence, will not look forward with hope." - Edmund Burke
". . .freedom is not everything or the only thing, perhaps we will put that discovery behind us and comprehend, before it's too late, that without freedom all else is nothing."- G. Warren Nutter
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Offline Texas Lawdog

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Re: 'HOLY GRAIL' OF CANADIAN MILITARY HANDGUN COLLECTING ACQUIRED!
« Reply #8 on: April 08, 2010, 08:28:32 AM »
Rattlesnake Jack, I wish you well on your quest for a LC Colt!
SASS#47185  RO I   ROII       NCOWS#2244  NCOWS Life #186  BOLD#393 GAF#318 SCORRS#1 SBSS#1485  WASA#666  RATS#111  BOSS#155  Storm#241 Henry 1860#92 W3G#1000  Warthog AZSA #28  American Plainsmen Society #69  Masonic Cowboy Shootist  Hiram's Rangers#18  FOP  Lt. Col  Grand Army of The Frontier, Life Member CAF
   Col.  CAF  NRA  TSRA   BOA  Dooley Gang  BOPP  ROWSS  Scarlet Mask Vigilance Society Great Lakes Freight and Mining Company  Cow Cracker Cavalry   Berger Sharpshooters "I had no Irons in the Fire". "Are you gonna pull those pistols or whistle Dixie"?

Offline Bull Schmitt

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Re: 'HOLY GRAIL' OF CANADIAN MILITARY HANDGUN COLLECTING ACQUIRED!
« Reply #9 on: April 08, 2010, 10:52:31 AM »
WOW!! :o  You did real good! ;D Congratulations.

Col Bull
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Offline US Scout

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Re: 'HOLY GRAIL' OF CANADIAN MILITARY HANDGUN COLLECTING ACQUIRED!
« Reply #10 on: April 08, 2010, 02:59:03 PM »
I'd be real happy for you if I wasn't so insanely jealous!!!   ;D

Well done, Jack!  I don't know how you manage to find all these neat guns, but I admire you for it.

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Offline 'Monterrey' Jack Brass

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Re: 'HOLY GRAIL' OF CANADIAN MILITARY HANDGUN COLLECTING ACQUIRED!
« Reply #11 on: April 08, 2010, 05:29:42 PM »
RSJ - This is great news, indeed. Were there another who should own that particular piece of history I cannot think of who it could be. You and your efforts toward recreating history and furthering the cause of authenticity in your many impressions have truly earned it. Well played and well deserved mon ami. Congratulations to you with your excellent acquisition!

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Offline Texas Lawdog

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Re: 'HOLY GRAIL' OF CANADIAN MILITARY HANDGUN COLLECTING ACQUIRED!
« Reply #12 on: April 08, 2010, 06:45:31 PM »
+1!
SASS#47185  RO I   ROII       NCOWS#2244  NCOWS Life #186  BOLD#393 GAF#318 SCORRS#1 SBSS#1485  WASA#666  RATS#111  BOSS#155  Storm#241 Henry 1860#92 W3G#1000  Warthog AZSA #28  American Plainsmen Society #69  Masonic Cowboy Shootist  Hiram's Rangers#18  FOP  Lt. Col  Grand Army of The Frontier, Life Member CAF
   Col.  CAF  NRA  TSRA   BOA  Dooley Gang  BOPP  ROWSS  Scarlet Mask Vigilance Society Great Lakes Freight and Mining Company  Cow Cracker Cavalry   Berger Sharpshooters "I had no Irons in the Fire". "Are you gonna pull those pistols or whistle Dixie"?

Offline Sagebrush Burns

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Re: 'HOLY GRAIL' OF CANADIAN MILITARY HANDGUN COLLECTING ACQUIRED!
« Reply #13 on: April 08, 2010, 08:33:07 PM »
WOW!  That is truly a beauty...

Offline RattlesnakeJack

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Re: 'HOLY GRAIL' OF CANADIAN MILITARY HANDGUN COLLECTING ACQUIRED!
« Reply #14 on: April 08, 2010, 09:24:17 PM »
Many Thanks, Pards!

Unfortunately, it will be late next week at the earliest before I receive the Colt ..... 
I'll be like a 5-year-old fretting before Christmas 'til then, as you can imagine. 
;D
Rattlesnake Jack Robson, Scout, Rocky Mountain Rangers, North West Canada, 1885
Major John M. Robson, Royal Scots of Canada, 1883-1901
Sgt. John Robson, Queen's Own Rifles of Canada, 1885
Bvt. Col, Commanding International Dept. and Div.  of Canada, Grand Army of the Frontier

Offline River City John

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Re: 'HOLY GRAIL' OF CANADIAN MILITARY HANDGUN COLLECTING ACQUIRED!
« Reply #15 on: April 08, 2010, 09:56:28 PM »
So, Rattlesnake Jack,
are we any closer to seeing that special 'coffee-table reserved', full color, limited edition of "Canadian Military Handguns From The Collection of "Rattlesnake" Jack Robson"?

I have been setting aside a college fund for my 8 mo. Grandaughter, - but I would gladly divert this in the future towards a signed copy . . .

RCJ ;D
"I was born by the river in a little tent, and just like the river I've been running ever since." - Sam Cooke
"He who will not look backward with reverence, will not look forward with hope." - Edmund Burke
". . .freedom is not everything or the only thing, perhaps we will put that discovery behind us and comprehend, before it's too late, that without freedom all else is nothing."- G. Warren Nutter
NCOWS #L146
GAF #275

Offline RattlesnakeJack

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Re: 'HOLY GRAIL' OF CANADIAN MILITARY HANDGUN COLLECTING ACQUIRED!
« Reply #16 on: April 08, 2010, 10:07:22 PM »
RCJ:

Well, since my collection is now nearing "completion" (..... as if if such a thing is ever possible .....) I have been giving serious thought to doing at least a website of some sort, if not springing for some portable display cases and making a modest start on the Gun Show circuit.  (As you can probably tell from my postings, I do like to "share' these gems with others.)
Rattlesnake Jack Robson, Scout, Rocky Mountain Rangers, North West Canada, 1885
Major John M. Robson, Royal Scots of Canada, 1883-1901
Sgt. John Robson, Queen's Own Rifles of Canada, 1885
Bvt. Col, Commanding International Dept. and Div.  of Canada, Grand Army of the Frontier

Offline River City John

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Re: 'HOLY GRAIL' OF CANADIAN MILITARY HANDGUN COLLECTING ACQUIRED!
« Reply #17 on: April 08, 2010, 10:13:42 PM »
Yes, well, the difference between a museum and a closet is more space to spread out. And stuff is identified better.
 ;D ;D
RCJ
 
"I was born by the river in a little tent, and just like the river I've been running ever since." - Sam Cooke
"He who will not look backward with reverence, will not look forward with hope." - Edmund Burke
". . .freedom is not everything or the only thing, perhaps we will put that discovery behind us and comprehend, before it's too late, that without freedom all else is nothing."- G. Warren Nutter
NCOWS #L146
GAF #275

Offline Capt. Montgomery Little

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Re: 'HOLY GRAIL' OF CANADIAN MILITARY HANDGUN COLLECTING ACQUIRED!
« Reply #18 on: April 08, 2010, 10:24:16 PM »
Congratulations Jack!!! What a wonderful find. Will Roger be allowed to clean this one?

Offline RattlesnakeJack

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Re: 'HOLY GRAIL' OF CANADIAN MILITARY HANDGUN COLLECTING ACQUIRED!
« Reply #19 on: April 08, 2010, 10:36:34 PM »
Considering Roger's level of interest in and skill with firearms, I don't think he'll even be allowed to touch it!   ;D
Rattlesnake Jack Robson, Scout, Rocky Mountain Rangers, North West Canada, 1885
Major John M. Robson, Royal Scots of Canada, 1883-1901
Sgt. John Robson, Queen's Own Rifles of Canada, 1885
Bvt. Col, Commanding International Dept. and Div.  of Canada, Grand Army of the Frontier

 

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