The gun of Gen. Robert E. Lee

[Captainkirk]

Like most persons in these threads, General Robert E. Lee most likely had a number of personal firearms, but the one most closely associated with him was his Colt 1851 Navy, in .36 caliber. Rumor has it this gun was loaded and sealed with beeswax shortly before death, subsequently it was fired 7 years afterward and all charges were reported to have gone off! It currently resides in the American Civil War museum in Richmond. Particulars of the gun are ported to be as follows:

Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver, 3rd Model - .36 cal., 6-shot cylinder, 7.5" octagonal barrel. Outfitted with a brass post front sight, rear sight through V-notch in hammer. Case hardened frame, hammer, and loading lever with rest of gun being blued. One piece walnut grip, silver plated brass trigger guard and back strap. Markings as follows - Barrel at top: - ADDRESS SAM'L COLT NEW-YORK CITY - Frame, left side: COLTS / PATENT / U.S; serial number 37698

Reportedly, Lee carried this gun in a saddle pommel holster when on horseback, and his holster also resides in the museum.

There are many replicas of this famous revolver, many available as cased sets.

[Marshal Will]

Thanks for the post on this. It seems that almost every famous person had at least one 1851. It's easy to see why, though, they're quite a design and an industry leader in their day.

[mike116]

It seems like every outlaw, lawman and military hero has had an '51 Navy attributed to them.    I think Colt tried to make sure that anyone of notoriety from that period had one.   There are thousands of cased sets sitting in museums and collections that are attributed to notable persons.  Who knows how many were actually used by that person.

[Captainkirk]

It seems like every outlaw, lawman and military hero has had an '51 Navy attributed to them.    I think Colt tried to make sure that anyone of notoriety from that period had one.   There are thousands of cased sets sitting in museums and collections that are attributed to notable persons.  Who knows how many were actually used by that person.

Good point, Mike. We have to remember that the lion's share of these guns were produced well before the ACW when military contracts were small and limited. It would make sense that Col. Colt would popularize his best and most current production item of the era with gifts and presentation sets to build the brand name.

[mike116]

Colt was absolutely the best at marketing his products.    He liked to bling them up and give them to the rich & influential personalities of the day.    That insured that everyone saw them and wanted one of their very own.   

[Hawg]

History doesn't specifically say it was beeswax. The records say it was a black wax like substance. It was probably beeswax and was probably used for waterproofing more than anything else.

[Zulch]

Great Post Cap!!
     This was interesting about GEN. Lee. Purportedly the faculty at West Point gave him this revolver when he left as Superintendent at West Point.
Colt, model 1855, 3 1/2" barrel percussion cap, 5-shot, 28 caliber pocket pistol; serial #4413;cylinder engraved with dueling scene flanked on either side with trees; engraved on rear of grips "Col. R.E. Lee, U.S. Army."
Metal, steel, wood. L 19.4, Dia (Barrel) 1.3 cm, 7 3/4"L; Cyl.1 1/2"L; Barrel 1/2"W , 1/4"DIA

Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, ARHO 2231

https://www.nps.gov/museum/exhibits/arho/exb/Military/ARHO2231_2232_Detail-Gun1.html

[ShotgunDave]

Those are both fantastic guns. But I'd give just about anything for that Root. That thing is beyond cool!

[DoubleDeuce1]

Beautiful revolvers !  Very interesting post too !

[camo]

Great post about an American Legend, I had the fortune to see his '51 at the museum  in person some years back and good to see it again, never knew about the other pistol though, nice to see that for the first time. Thanks for the research.

[Clydesdale4x4]

Love reading about my "kin". Thanks for the post.