Model 1862 Colt Police revolver with 6.50 inch barrel and matching serial number of 11739. Surfaces are a gun-metal gray with light scattered mottling throughout. Wood grips have light to moderate wear consistent with use and age. All the silver plating has worn off the grip straps exposing the brass. Bottom of grip strap is engraved “H. W. PUTNAM, SALEM, MASS.” The engraving is done in a nice flowing script. Other markings include a light barrel stamp that reads “ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK USA” and “PAT SEPT. 10^TH 1850” is lightly marked on the cylinder. Cylinder indexes okay but sometimes it is a little sloppy. There is also some wiggle to the cylinder when the hammer is at full cock. Hammer holds at half and full cock and falls properly when trigger is pulled. All nipples appear to be original. Bore is dark but in good condition. Wedge screw and one frame screw appear to be period replacements. These two screws still retain bluing where the other screws do not. There is some dirt and grime built up around the base of the nipples.

Henry W. Putnam was born in 1844. At the time of his enlistment he was an 18 year old Blacksmith living in Oxford. He enlisted as a Private in Company C, 51^st Massachusetts Infantry on August 20, 1862. The 51^st was sent to Newbern, North Carolina and arrived there at the end of November. The regiment was involved in the Goldsboro Expedition but was not engaged. The regiment remained in North Carolina until June 24, 1863 and during that time was in a few minor skirmishes. On June 27^th they arrived at Fort Monroe, VA. The regiment was sent to Baltimore on July 1^st and was there till the 6^th searching houses for weapons and guarding Confederate prisoners. The regiment was mustered out on July 27, 1863.

After the war Putnam lived in Worcester and Boston where he was a member of two GAR Posts, the George H. Ward Post #10 in Worcester and the Edward W. Kinsely Post #113 in Boston.

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