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INSCRIBED COLT POCKET REVOLVER: GEORGE L. SENAT, LIEUTENANT COMPANY A, 1st REGIMENT PA ARTILLERY, 17th PENNSYLVANIA INFANTRY IN 1861

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This inscribed Colt 1849 Pocket Revolver rates very good for condition and bears a dead-real inscription on the backstrap dating to 1862 or so commemorating or honoring the owner’s enlistment in April 1861 at the very first call for troops to put down the Rebellion and preserve the Union: “Geo. L. Senat / April 1861,” engraved in period upper and lower case lettering. Senat was justifiably proud or deserving- born in Philadelphia in 1817, he would have been excused by age from military service, and was a well-to-do businessman, if not yet independently wealthy, but signed up anyway, enrolling in Company A of the First Regiment Pennsylvania Artillery on April 18,1861, a militia regiment that mustered into US service for three months US service on April 25 and in May 1861 was redesignated the 17^th Pennsylvania Infantry. He was commissioned 2^nd Lieutenant of the company, though some records retain the old militia nomenclature and refer to him as “Ensign.”

The pistol rates shows little original finish, but has smooth metal, clear numbers and lettering, very nice grips, and clearly stamped and all matching serial number 204118  including on the wedge, and has good mechanics and a clean bore. The barrel address is “- ADDRESS SAMl COLT / HARTFORD CT -” which is correct for the serial number range. The stagecoach hold-up cylinder scene is visible, though slightly rubbed. There are traces of silver finish on the brass triggerguard. The grips have very nice varnish and a tight fit to the metal, though the the buttstrap itself shows numerous small, shallow dings. The nipples are not battered. The hammer shows nice color on the sides.

The regiment first moved to Baltimore to help keep open communications with Washington and then proceeded to Washington itself. It took part in several expeditions in Maryland- to Rockville, Poolesville, and other locations, then crossed the Potomac at Williamsport in July to take part in the march on Martinsburg, Bunker Hill, Charlestown, and Harpers Ferry. Even after its term of service expired it agreed to remain in the field and marched for Washington after the defeat at Bull Run, but was ordered back to Philadelphia, where it was mustered out August 2.

Senat does not seem to have seen subsequent service. His 1890 veteran’s census entry lists only his service in the 17^th, which he states was for the full three months, though the muster-out roll of the company says he was absent at muster out. He seems to have been well-off, with the 1850 census picking him up as a clerk, but likely in his father’s business, who is listed as an importer, and by 1860 he was part of Senat Brothers & Co. By 1880 he is living in Cinnaminson Township, Riverton, NJ, listing his occupation simply as “gentleman.” He is picked up there by the 1890 veteran census as well, and passed away there in December 1898, apparently a confirmed bachelor. We show a photo of him relaxing comfortably at home from his online cemetery listing.

Lists of Colt serial numbers are pretty uniform in setting the 204000 serial number range for Colt 1849 pocket revolvers in 1862 or even 1863, so even allowing for some overlap, the pistol would seem to be of that date. Whether Senat purchased it and had it engraved himself is unclear. More likely it was a gift intended to honor his patriotic early service, though he might justifiably have felt proud of answering the country’s call at the very outset despite his age, social and financial circumstances.  [sr][ph:L]

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