A Smith & Wesson revolver belonging to former President Theodore Roosevelt fetched a good-looking value when the brisk chant of the Rock Island Public sale Firm’s auctioneer lastly got here to an oxygen-saving conclusion.
The weapon, which netted a staggering $910,625 by the point the auctioneer’s gavel signaled the ultimate bid, is a .38 Lengthy Colt-chambered No. 3 single-action revolver that was offered to then-Col. Roosevelt on Could 12, 1898, a day that coincides along with his departure for San Antonio to coach with the Tough Riders for eventual fight towards Spanish forces in Cuba.
“Firearms with presidential ties are extremely wanted and very tough to search out,” Kevin Hogan, Rock Island Public sale Firm president, stated on the time of the sale. “Being tied to such an vital workplace continuously locations these arms at historic moments in American historical past. We’ve had the duty of providing three presidential arms in 2022, which is unparalleled, nevertheless it by no means ceases to be one thing particular.”
It’s doubtless Roosevelt supposed for the weapon to be carried into battle towards Spain, in keeping with documentation compiled by Rock Island. As an alternative, the Bull Moose carried a Colt Mannequin 1892 double-action revolver that was recovered from the wreckage of the USS Maine, which, following an unintended explosion, sank in 1898 within the Havana Harbor. Regardless of the character of the ship’s demise, nationwide hysteria and requires battle with Spain ensued.
After the Spanish-American battle, the eventual president held on to the Smith & Wesson revolver, later inserting it every night time on his bedside on the White Home, in keeping with paperwork saved by Roosevelt’s longtime bodyguard and household pal, James Amos.
The firearm’s historical past after Roosevelt’s loss of life in 1919 stays considerably shrouded in thriller. What appears to be the most probably state of affairs, in keeping with paperwork and private accounts, is that the Roosevelt household gifted the revolver to Amos, who then turned it over to his household earlier than it will definitely landed with Jim Supica, the museum director for the Nationwide Rifle Affiliation.
Amos, who was Roosevelt’s valet for 12 years, was as soon as referred to by the president as “one of the best shot that I’ve ever seen,” in keeping with the Theodore Roosevelt Middle. After the president’s loss of life, Amos would go on to turn into a particular agent with the FBI, becoming a member of in 1921 and changing into one of many first Black brokers within the Bureau’s historical past.
In a ebook about his time with Roosevelt, Amos wrote, “Whereas President he typically went armed. I’ve in my residence now a big revolver which Mr. Roosevelt positioned along side his mattress each night time whereas within the White Home. It was given me by Mrs. Roosevelt after his loss of life.”
Along with the revolver, Rock Island Public sale Firm additionally auctioned off an Ames-inscribed presentation sword and scabbard designed for Confederate Brigadier Gen. Paul J. Semmes, who was mortally wounded throughout the Battle of Gettysburg. The sword was offered for simply over $175,000.
A separate Roosevelt-owned revolver, a Colt single-action variant that was particular ordered across the president’s 54th birthday, offered in 2020 for a shade beneath $1.5 million.
Initially revealed by Military Times, our sister publication.