The Hamilton Pistols presented in this lot are the only Founding Father pistols known with family documentation in the form of a signed receipt, as well as a notarized unbroken chain of ownership from the Hamilton Family that documents Alexanders initial acquisition of them during the Revolutionary War, through their sale in 1942. The Epaulettes also retain notarized provenance and chain of ownership. The pistols were sold by Schuyler Hamilton III to NY Dealer Robert Abels, in turn to Industrialist Donald Tuttle, gifted to The Eli Whitney Museum, then sold by Greg Martin to Former Secretary of the Treasury William E. Simon, then from the Simon Family to the current consignor via HistoricalArms.com.
"Hamilton was an important and unwavering force in the political revolution that produced the United States of America, ensuring that the ideals he had fought for would endure. He and his contemporaries, at the greatest peril to themselves, fought for and created a new system of self-rule that although not perfect, left its citizens a tool in the form of a perpetual document, The Constitution, as a guide for their new nation. This form of self-governance, the greatest political accomplishment in history, has proven their collective brilliance for over 230 years"
Over the years it has been my great pleasure, and honor, to have handled fascinating objects from American History to include items from Abraham Lincoln, Brigham Young, General George A. Custer, William H. Vanderbilt, Lt. General Wade Hampton, Alexander Majors, General George G. Meade, Buffalo Bill Cody, Annie Oakley, Commodore Perry, Congressional and State Presentation Swords and Firearms, and even Theodore Roosevelt's Colt Revolver (recently selling at auction for $1.46 million). If you have an interest, please give me a call. Serious inquiries only.
None of the above can match the importance of the Hamilton Pistols.
As I have intimate knowledge and insight about these artifacts having brokered their previous sale, I would be happy to provide any information one might need for an accurate and "in-depth" description of these National Treasures. Interested parties (potential bidders only, please) may contact me via email providing the text "Hamilton" in the subject line of their email.
View the Rock Island Auction catalog entry here; https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/82/125/alexander-hamiltons-flintlock-holster-pistols-and-epaulettes.
In closing, one can also find a wonderful video about these artifacts on YouTube here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aCLYZmbZWw
