Catalog Auction info Amoskeag Live #123 - August 24th, 2019 (#123) 08/24/2019 9:00 AM EDT Closed Starts Ending 08/24/2019 9:00 AM EDT Auction Info Lot #272 Smith & Wesson No. 1 Revolver Belonging to Pennsylvania Industrialist Robert H. Sayre with Woodrow Wilson Connection Click image to enlarge PreviousNext Lot closed - Sold Price (Including Buyer`s Premium):$1,140 Estimate: $1,000 - $1,500 Description Description: serial #115694, 22 RF, 3 3/16” ribbed octagon barrel with a mostly bright, very good bore which shows strong rifling but with scattered light oxidation and some light pitting. The barrel itself shows some trace original blue but is primarily a dark and light mottled gray patina with some sparsely scattered oxidation staining and perhaps a few light handling marks near the muzzle. The cylinder is primarily a dark gray and pewter, also with oxidation staining and sparsely scattered light pinprick pitting, its patent dates fully legible. The frame retains perhaps 50-60% original silver plate, mixing with light oxidation and some verdigree, the worn areas of the frame toning to a very pleasing dull ochre patina. The hammer and trigger are a dull gray patina, each with a bit of oxidation staining. The smooth rosewood grips rate very good with much original varnish, the flaking being primarily along the sharp edges of the butt, with some impact marks along the butt proper, they are stamp-numbered to the gun and assembly numbers are matching on barrel, cylinder and frame. The sideplate fits a bit proud, barrel-to-frame fit is slightly loose, but the gun does function mechanically, albeit somewhat loosely. The backstrap is engraved during the period of use “RH Sayre, Bethlehem PA”, Robert Heysham Sayre being Vice President and Chief Engineer of the Lehigh Valley Railroad as well as Vice President and General Manager of Bethlehem Iron Company, precursor to the Bethlehem Steel Corporation. Sayre’s son Francis Bowes Sayre married Woodrow Wilson’s daughter, the Sayre’s and Wilson’s both frequenting the Cornish N.H. area in Summer, “Harlakenden House” there being referred to as “The Summer White House”. It is purported by family history, that Wilson would carry this arm on his person when ajaunt locally, fishing the brooks around the upper valley. Included with the arm is a May 7, 1968-dated hand-written letter from one Harry H. Hart Sr. of Williamstown MA (an athletic training table Chef at Williamson College for 48 years, Francis B. Sayre graduating from there in 1909, seven years after Mr. Hart arrived at his post; in 1914 Sayre began work as Assistant to the President of Williams College, the two men doubtless knowing each other). The letter states that whilst working for Mrs. Francis Sayre, President Wilson’s daughter, she presented the revolver to him, the arm is mentioned in the letter by serial number as-is the inscription. It further states: “Mrs. Sayre told me that President Wilson carried this gun with him on fishing trips while visiting his daughter and son-in-law”, he then states “I testify that all of the above is true and correct” and has signed and dated it. The arm comes in what is likely a factory mahogany presentation case which rates very good, its underside penciled: “Eldridge J. Savage, Brockton Mass.”, and a copy of the book Glad Adventure by Francis B. Sayre, © 1957 F. B. Sayre, regaling his life and times and marriage to Jessie (Wilson) Sayre and second wife, Elizabeth, he actually becoming High Commissioner of the Philippines under Roosevelt. A very endearing image in the book shows a beaming Wilson and the proud Mr. Sayre, as he holds his new son and Wilson’s grandson, Francis Jr. An interesting little revolver with a propitious connection to Americas 28th President and an indisputable connection to the Sayre family. (38732-1) {ANTIQUE} Categories: Terms and conditions GENERAL STATEMENTS • All bidders must register and obtain a bidding number in order to participate in the auction; in so-doing they agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the sale. Absentee/Telephone bidders must register by filling out and signing an absentee bid sheet, online bidders must register per the online terms of registration. • The highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer shall become the owner upon the fall of the hammer. The auctioneer has sole discretion in the case of a dispute among bidders. • Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. has taken great care in the preparation of the descriptions in this catalog. Although we believe everything in the descriptions to be true, we do not guarantee any part of any description. We recommend that the bidders view the items in person and form their own opinions as to condition, originality, origin, etc. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will consider all requests for refunds. If a customer is unhappy with a purchase we will be happy to discuss a remedy with them. • All requests for refunds must be made within 30 days of the sale date. Therefore, it is important that absentee bidders pay for their items in a timely fashion. All requests for refunds received after 30 days of the sale date will not be considered. • Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. reserves the right to reject any bid in order to protect our consignors interests. • Reserves: A very few lots will be offered with reserve. In cases where items are reserved, a bid of the low estimate will always exceed the reserve. Reserves will be bid by the auctioneer as an opening bid so any bid taken from the floor or the phone is a live bid above the reserve amount. • Bidding on any item in the sale indicates the bidder’s full acceptance and understanding of all terms and conditions of sale. PAYMENT POLICY • Invoices are payable upon receipt. 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FFL holders may take possession of any firearm on day of sale when they present a signed copy of their Federal Firearms License. New Hampshire residents over the age of 21 may take possession of any firearm on day of sale providing the proper paperwork is filled out and the transfer has been approved either through the NH State Police or the FBI NICS System. While most NICS and State approvals are immediate, approvals could take up to 3 days. Most non-residents may take possession of long guns on day of sale after completing the proper forms and successfully completing a NICS check; modern handguns will need to be shipped to an FFL holder in the buyer’s home state. Buyer is responsible for any and all shipping charges and all items must be paid for on day of sale. Bidders should be familiar with their local and state laws as Amoskeag Auction Co., Inc. will not be responsible for any parties purchasing items which may not be possessed in, or shipped, to their state of residence. CLASS III WEAPONS • Amoskeag Auction Co., Inc. is a licensed Class III S.O.T. and handles transfers of Machineguns, Suppressors, A.O.W.’s and short barreled rifles and shotguns in-house. Class III invoices are expected to be paid upon receipt, no transfer paperwork will be executed until the invoice is paid. Know that class III transfers take a good deal of time for Federal approval and we are at their mercy. Firearms are marked as follows: ANTIQUE - no paperwork required C&R - for firearms that fall under the ATF Curio & Relics licensing and if purchased by a person with a “C&R License” no paperwork is required. NOTE: Items that meet the age requirements but have been altered from their original configuration may NOT be delivered on a C&R License. Firearms that are not marked with one of these notations are considered to be “MODERN” and all proper paperwork is required unless you are an FFL Dealer. 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On-line bidders should be aware that the sale proceeds at a very rapid pace and should plan their bidding strategies accordingly. • Amoskeag Auction Co., Inc. will not be held responsible for errors or omissions of any type that may occur during these services. • All absentee bids must be received by 8:00pm on the day prior to the auction. If you plan to attend the sale but will not be staying until the end and want to leave a bid on an item that will be sold after you leave, we must have those bids in by 8:00am on the morning of the sale. No bids will be accepted after that time. Please do not call the gallery once the auction has started (after 9:00am) as we will not be able to accept bids or make changes to bids. • Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will also accept telephone bids on a limited basis. Telephone bidding is reserved for seriously interested bidders. In order to bid by telephone, the bidder must be willing to pay at least the low estimate of the item being bid on. NOTE: Phone bids MUST be arranged by 5:00pm ON THURSDAY prior to the sale. • All absentee/telephone bidder invoices are mailed within a few days of the sale, on-line invoices are issued by end of business on the Tuesday following the sale; all invoices are due upon receipt. Invoices are to be paid either by cash or check, or by credit cards listed above. All items not paid for within 20 business days from sale date shall be considered abandoned as well as any deposit that was made on those items and Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. shall have sole discretion as to their disposal. WARNING Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. does not warranty the safety of any article it sells. Therefore, we recommend that, before you use any firearm, purchased here or anywhere else, you have it examined by a qualified gunsmith to determine whether or not it is safe to use.
