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Forums10
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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743 |
In a local newspaper article today a story told of a Rifle which had recently surfaced in Lincoln County TN, adjoining to the SW of county I live in. Seems it had been in possession of current family since 1939 but had remained Unseen except for a few immediate family members of owners. It has now been seen by the newspaper reporter & a photographer & a a few pictures were run of it. It is stated to be an 1855 Colt Side hammer revolving rifle. It has a hang tag dated 1939 stating "Belonged to Abe Lincoln, Colt 1855 revolving rifle 60 cal, 31" bll, 5 shot fluted cylinder" Signed by Bill Smoot, Collector. (Elizabethtown KY)
Also accompanying the rifle is a newspaper article from an old Louisville Post (KY) date unreadable. The article stated a Mr W T Duncan has many valuable historical articles including an old 58 shot .56 caliber Cole's rifle made in 1864 & presented by President Lincoln to an ancestor of Mr Duncan, a Mr Blakey, who seconded the nomination of Lincoln at Chicago.
This was Mr George D Blakey, a member of congress from KY. Mr Duncan was Mr Blakey's Grandson.Another article from the Louisville Post shows Mr Duncan transferring the rifle to MR Smoot which took place in 1939. The current owner's Father & Grandfather were " amateur" gun collectors who acquired the rifle from Mr Smoot.
Absolutely no info was given for the owner who is now older & has lived here in Lincoln county for more than a dozen years. Owner was originally from KY but his family moved further south when he was just a kid. He stated it Could be for sale to the right buyer. If anyone is "Seriously" interested PM me & I can give you a contact phone number out of Florida for further info. I have no idea of the connection between owner & this Florida number, but he wants to remain very secretive about who he is, thinks someone might even Kill Him for this gun.
Miller/TN
I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,182 Likes: 129
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,182 Likes: 129 |
sounds suspect...kinda like lincoln his self...
if this is the real deal, and is really for sale, then it needs to go to rock island or similar place for research and authentication...
Last edited by ed good; 07/23/18 08:35 AM.
keep it simple and keep it safe...
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,725 Likes: 129
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,725 Likes: 129 |
No authentication, no fortune...Geo
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743 |
Owner stated "Ultimately he knows a buyer will want to have his or her own evaluation done".
Gun is positively traced, by serial number, back to Mr W T Duncan, Grandson of George D Blakey to whom rifle was supposedly presented by Lincoln. "IF" there is any deception involved it would thus lie within the Blakey family. That part might be difficult to prove or disprove.
I just thought it was interesting & passed it along. What would one of these Colt Revolving rifles be worth with no providence at all, assuming reasonable condition. I of course have not seen the gun & have only a newspaper picture, which is not capable of giving a lot of detail.
Miller/TN
I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 51
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 51 |
What would one of these Colt Revolving rifles be worth with no providence at all, assuming reasonable condition.
Depending on the model/version (there were 1/2 stock models, fullstock models, US Military models, .36 & .56 Carbines, and .60 or .70 shotgun/smoothbore models), the values of one w/o provenance would run from $7K (+/-) in 10% original issue condition to $20K (+/-) in 90% original issue condition. The sky's the limit for one that can be connected to President Lincoln. A Model 1855 in over 90% original issue condition is AFAIK deemed unobtainium at this remove. .
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