The best part about this set is that they didn't sit in a desk or in a bureau drawer during the war. THESE GUNS WERE CARRIED!! Banks was the ultra politician of his age, rising from a cotton-mill worker as a boy to Governor of Massachusets. He was a Corp commander in the Shenandoah battling none other than Stonewall Jackson on several occassions in 1862. Hit the net for more information on Banks. Inscribed on their back-straps, "Maj. Gen. N. P. Banks with Compliments of Col. Colt". POSSIBLY A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO SECURE A MUSEUM QUALITY PAIR OF PISTOL