A rare Colt Walker revolver designed for use in the Mexican-American war is the spectacular highlight of Rock Island Auction Company's December 5-7 Premiere Firearms Auction in Illinois.
 The Walker Colt is the most powerful black powder revolver ever made |
The Colt Walker was a special collaboration between Texas Ranger Captain Samuel Hamilton Walker and Samuel Colt, with Walker asking for a huge amount of power at close range. The result was the largest and most powerful black powder revolver ever made.
The example at auction is expected to sell for between $180,000 and $275,000.
There were just 1,100 of the guns ever made, with 1,000 issued to United Stated Mounted Rifles as part of the Ordnance Department's contract. Just 220 of these were issued to Walker's 1st Regiment Texas Mounted Volunteers, and these are the most sought after, with the captain receiving the first examples of the new revolver.
There present example is remarkably well documented, listed in the first compilation of known Walker revolers preparted by John Stapleton and Wilbur Quick in 1938. It is accompanied by a bill of sale from 1966, with a 1994 history by John Gangel and a three-page evaluation by renowned Colt expert R L Wilson.
The revolver is in better condition that most Colt Walkers and retains more than half of its original roll-engraved Ranger scene and Colt markings.
"Anytime a Walker comes through one of our sales, it's a very special event. So, having two in one auction, a C Company & a D Company, is extremely fortunate. We love to see these historic wheelguns. Both of the Walkers in this sale are a direct tie to the Old West and the Westward expansion of the United States," said Kevin Hogan of Rock Island Auction Company.
"This particular Walker is marked, 'C Company,' which indicates it was issued to Samuel Walker's own unit. That fact, plus its long and documented provenance, sets it apart from other Walkers and should help bring a very good price at auction."
Another example of the Colt Walker sold for $920,000 at auction in 2008.
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