This revolver is very special as serial number 3 Colt Model 1889. The basic design of the Model 1889 is essentially what we think of as a standard double action revolver, but it was a cutting edge design when it was unveiled by the company and was the first double action revolver with a swing-out cylinder secured by a sliding latch. This made the Model 1889 much easier and faster to reload compared to earlier revolvers like the Colt Model 1877 and Model 1878 which loaded and unloaded through a loading gate, and they were adopted by the U.S. Navy. The same basic design evolved into the subsequent Model 1892, 1894, 1895, and 1896 revolvers. This revolver is also particularly noteworthy as it was shipped to Samuel Colt's son and heir Caldwell Hart Colt in 1889, and it remains in excellent condition. The revolver was purchased by Brig Pemberton from Tom Power in 2012. The most recent included factory letter lists this revolver in .38 caliber with a 4 inch barrel, blue finish, and wood grips when shipped to "C. H. Colt" on June 10, 1889. The remarks note that the revolver was originally shipped to Caldwell Hart Colt, son of Samuel Colt and Elizabeth Hart Jarvis Colt and "was returned to the factory on December 1, 1899 by G. W. Cormack in exchange for a 2 1/2", caliber .32 S&W New Pocket Revolver." Some of the older factory letters had incorrectly mixed this revolver up with another serial number 3 that was a U.S. contract revolver converted to a Model 1895. The revolver features a round "half-moon" blade front sight, "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A./PATENTED AUG. 5TH 1884 NOVEMBER 6TH 1888" marked on the left side of the barrel in two lines, top strap groove rear sight, the encircled Rampant Colt trademark on the left behind the hammer, and the matching serial number "3" on the frame, crane, left side towards the toe, on the bottom at the toe, and inside of each of the walnut grips. There are also square assembly marks on several components and an "L" on the back of the cylinder under the extractor. The cylinder rotates counter-clockwise. The revolver comes in a custom re-fitted rosewood case with a gilt Colt Fire Arms badge, circular Colt multi-tool, and a copy of "In Memoriam: Samuel Colt and Caldwell Hart Colt" which notably features the Colt Model 1889 towards the top and a yacht towards the bottom. Inside of the book has "Frances S Robinson/1918" in pencil. The book discusses the Church of the Good Shepherd commissioned by Elizabeth Colt as a memorial to her husband as well as three children the couple lost early in their childhood, the Caldwell Colt Memorial House commissioned by Mrs. Colt as a memorial to her son, an address by Reverend Leverett Bradley, and the Colt family home, Armsmear. Caldwell Hart Colt (1858-1894) was largely raised by his mother, Elizabeth Hart Jarvis Colt (1826-1905), as his famous father died in 1862 when he was still a young child. He was the only of the family's four children to survive to adulthood. He studied at Yale and inherited $5-6 million from his father when he reached adulthood. Samuel Colt is said to have opposed the adoption of double action revolvers, but his company developed them after the Civil War starting with the Model 1877 and Model 1878 revolvers. Caldwell Colt reportedly wore the new Model 1889 as his sidearm when he was at the Colt factory and was involved in the design and production of the Colt Model 1878 double rifles which were primarily made for him and his wealthy friends. He also ordered other firearms as gifts. While hunting and firearms were certainly among his interests, he was far more drawn to the sea. Like his father before him, "Commodore Colt" first went to the sea as a young man and spent most of his adult life away from Hartford on his vessels, including in dramatic races across the Atlantic. He was the vice-commodore of the New York Yacht Club and commodore of the Larchmont Yacht Club and owned the famous schooner the Dauntless and owned multiple other vessels over the years. He died somewhat mysteriously at the Hotel Punta Gorda in Florida at the age of 35. The Hartford Courant on January 23, 1894, reported that he died suddenly, and "It appears that Mr. Colt suffered from tonsillitis and Dr. Morgan, his near personal friend, was telegraphed to come on, but before he could start received a second message that death from heart failure had taken place." Further reports indicate the "malignant tonsillitis" was caused by smoking and that he had an operation performed by Dr. William D. Morgan before he had headed to Florida and had been advised to stop smoking. Many have since repeated claims that he in fact drowned at sea, and there were also rumors that he was murdered by jealous husband or completed suicide. Regardless of the cause of his sudden demise, Elizabeth Colt had lost her last child and was clearly crushed, and she incorporated his love of the sea into his memorials. At his funeral, his commodore cap and the flag of his ketch the Oriole were placed on his casket, and the Dauntless was worked into the designs of the Caldwell Colt Memorial House in recognition of his love of yachting. The house overall was designed to resemble a ship. The factory letter lists the revolver as returned to the factory by "G.W. Cormack" in 1899, but it seems very likely that the middle initial is a recording or transcription error given that George A. Cormack was one of Commodore Colt's close friends and the secretary of the Corinthian Yacht Club. He was later the secretary of the New York Yacht Club starting in 1901. The New York Times on January 23, 1894, noted that George A. Cormack was one of the men selected to represent the New York Yacht Club at the funeral. The following day, the Times recorded: "Mr. George Cormack, the Secretary of the Corinthian Yacht Club and a great friend of the deceased yachtsman, will attend to the reception of the body here. Mr Cormack said: 'Mr. Colt was one of the best-hearted men I ever knew. He was always doing some kind act, and gave away, not in public charities, enough money to make a man well off.'" Cormack is also listed among the honorary pall bearers for Colt's funeral. It is not clear when Cormack would have come into possession of the revolver. He may have been the original intended recipient given other gifts from Colt to his friends, but he may have come to possess it later. Was this in fact the sidearm of Commodore Colt and given to his friend? His New York Times obituary on June 29, 1938, reads: "George A. Cormack, secretary of the New York Yacht Club, of which he had been a member for fifty-two years, died yesterday morning in Doctors Hospital, Eighty-Seventh Street and East End Avenue, where he underwent an operation on June 8. He was 81 years old." Provenance: Caldwell Hart Colt; G.W. Cormack; The Colt Factory Collection; The Mike Poulin Collection; The Tommy Rholes Collection; The Tom Power Collection; The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection

Excellent with 95% plus original finish, distinct markings, and generally only light wear. The right grip has a repaired crack; otherwise, the grips are very good with minor wear mainly at the lower edges. Mechanically excellent. The book is fair with mild shelf wear, separation at the spine, and some loose pages. The customized antique case is very good with mild age and storage related wear, including some cracks in the lid. This is a historically significant example the Model 1889 shipped directly to Samuel Colt's son Caldwell Hart Colt just a few years before his death. The fact that this revolver is also serial number 3 is particularly significant as that makes it one of the first double action revolvers with a swing-out cylinder ever made. Overall, this is a highly desirable Colt.