Product Details
* AN EARLY, RARE CASED .450 (BOXER) COLT MODEL 1878 DOUBLE-ACTION FRONTIER REVOLVER, serial no. 879,
for first year of production 1878, with round nickel-plated 5 1/2in. barrel signed 'COLTS PT FA MFG CO HARTFORD CT U.S.A DEPOT 14 PALL MALL LONDON', blade fore-sight, under-barrel ejector, solid frame, the right side of throat with South African registration number, sprung cylinder release, long fluted cylinder, chequered rosewood birdshead grips and lanyard swivel at heel, the back-strap marked 'E.R.E. ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS', the trigger guard marked '45 CAL B', strong amount of plated finish remaining with some losses and flaking, complete with its London oak storage case, the lid with circular escutcheon engraved 'E.R. EVANS, ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS', the interior lined and compartmented in green baize, the inside of lid with Colt 14 Pall Mall Depot label, the tray with provision for ammunition and retaining a cleaning brush and Dixon oil bottle
Provenance: Ernest Riddle Evans (1851-1891) entered service on the 28th February 1874 as Sub-Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion 23rd Foot (Royal Welsh Fusiliers), and was immediately promoted to full Lieutenant. Initially serving in Ireland, in May 1879 he embarked for South Africa, serving in the Zulu Wars as a signals officer and Superintendent of the Military Telegraph, fighting in the battles against insurgent chief Sekukuni, gaining the Q.S.A. Medal & clasp. Returning home in 1880, he almost straight away was sent to India, and marched with the regiment to Chakrata (where he was promoted Captain), then onto Dum-Dum, returning to the depot in 1883. On completion of his 'tour' in 1885, he joined the staff at Sandhurst, gaining the title Major.
Reposted to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in 1886, he returned to India and subsequently onto Burma where he took part in the late stages of the 1886-87 campaign, including the expedition to Wuntho and the Mawlu Affair, gaining the India Medal and clasp. Again returning to India in March 1887, he went to Lucknow with the Regiment, then onto Peshawar. Finally, in the spring of 1891 he accompanied the 1st Battalion on service against the tribes of the Black Mountain in Hazara, succumbing to pneumonia at Palosi on 5th April, 1891.
* Please note this item is subject to 5% VAT on the hammer price (UK Buyers only).
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Estimate £800-1,200
S5 - Sold as a Section 5 Firearm under the 1968 Firearms Act, Sections 7.3 and 7.1 Eligible.
Unless prior arrangement has been made, two weeks after the Sealed bid sale, all Section 5 (and Section 7.1 / 7.3) items will be moved to a Section 5 carriers where storage charges will be incurred.
Goods will not be released until all outstanding charges have been met. Collection will be by arrangement.