Cal. 44 Perc. Standard Colt Model 1860 Army with 8" round bbl, rebated cylinder with brass triggerguard and iron backstrap with 1-pc walnut grips. Backstrap is inscribed in period fine line professional engraving, "LT. O.W. BENNETT 102 REGT U.S.C.T.". His name was Orson W. Bennett, born in 1841 in Union City, Michigan and died in 1904 and buried in Philadelphia, PA. He enlisted as a Private on 4-23-1861 in Dubuque, IA. He fought through the war and on 2-13-1864 was commissioned a 1st Lt. into A Company, Michigan 1st Infantry, Colored. On 11-30-1864, at Honey Hill, South Carolina, Lt. Bennett was ordered to take a squad of about 30 of his colored troops to retrieve three artillery pieces which had been abandoned, in advance of their lines about 100-yards, which was within about 150-yards of the Confederate lines.

A previous attempt had been tried with disastrous results and severe loss of life. Lt. Bennett very cleverly timed the Confederate artillery fire, ordering his troops to fall to the ground just before the cannon and grapeshot passed over their heads and were able o retrieve all three artillery pieces with only one man wounded and none killed. This action exposed Lt. Bennett and his troops to Confederate fire on three successive occasions. His daring, bravado and clever innovation earned him the praise of his Company and the nations highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor. Source: DEEDS OF VALOR, PG 458. HOW OUR SOLDIER-HEROES WON THE MEDAL OF HONOR and MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS 1863-1994.

Accompanying this fine historic revolver is a ring binder containing copies of the military record of Lt. Bennett which lists him as having been in 17 engagements during the war and he was eventually brevetted Major, US Volunteers "For gallant and meritorious conduct during the war." Subsequent to being awarded the Medal of Honor by the Secretary of War.

SN 121684. CONDITION: About good. No original finish remains being a medium gray-brown patina overall with light pitting on the bbl, heavier pitting on the cylinder and frame. No cylinder scene remains and the cylinder SN is not legible. The rest of the numbers on the revolver all match except for the wedge, which is un-numbered. Grips are well worn and possibly even thinned down but are sound with a fine hand-rubbed patina. The inscription on the backstrap is completely legible and authentic. Several of the frame and backstrap screws are replacements. Bore is dark and crusty. This is a fine historic Civil War revolver that Lt. Bennett most likely was carrying the day he won the Medal of Honor.