Jefferson Davis revolver

[R. Porter]

Below is the Michigan Cavalry point of view and then some information on Arne Ranom. Apparently there was big prize money for capturing Jefferson Davis. The Michigan version has the leader of the Michigan detachment receiving the equivalent of $35,000 to $55,000 in 2022 money as a reward. This would have been $2,000 to $3,000 out of the $100,000 in 1865 money that was available for rewards. Arne Ranom whose story is that he single-handedly captured Davis got a sword which we haven't seen a picture of. You would think that Ranom would have appreciated a cash reward more than a used sword

The Michigan Version:
https://www.wmuk.org/wmuk-news/2022-05-13/whys-that-the-allegan-man-who-made-civil-war-history



Arne N. Ranom
in the U.S., Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865

​

Name	Arne N. Ranom
Side	Union
Regiment State/Origin	Wisconsin
Regiment	1st Regiment, Wisconsin Cavalry
Company	D
Rank In	Private
Rank Out	Private
Alternate Name	Arne or Arnert/Renom
Film Number	M559 roll 24

Arne Renom
in the U.S., Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865

​

Name	Arne Renom
Side	Union
Regiment State/Origin	Wisconsin
Regiment	1st Regiment, Wisconsin Cavalry
Company	D
Rank In	Private
Rank Out	Private
Alternate Name	Arne N./Renom
Film Number	M559 roll 25

Arne Renom

Name	Arne Renom
Enlistment Date	16 Sep 1864
Enlistment Rank	Private
Muster Date	16 Sep 1864
Muster Place	Wisconsin
Muster Company	D
Muster Regiment	1st Cavalry
Muster Regiment Type	Cavalry
Muster Information	Enlisted
Muster Out Date	19 Jul 1865
Muster Out Place	Edgefield, Tennessee
Muster Out Information	Mustered Out
Side of War	Union
Survived War?	Yes
Residence Place	Bristol, Wisconsin
Title	Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers: War of the Rebellion

 

[beepster]

The "Jefferson Davis Surrender Revolver" (Beaumont/Adams) sold today at auction (Rock Island Auction Co.) for the "hammer price" of $400,000. This does not include a 17.5% buyer's premium, state sales tax, or shipping. I doubt the buyer would want to add another 3.5% in order to pay by credit card....I am surprised by the low price considering the Colt SAA that shot Billy the Kid went for over $6 mil. last year....

 

[GwilymT]

The "Jefferson Davis Surrender Revolver" (Beaumont/Adams) sold today at auction (Rock Island Auction Co.) for the "hammer price" of $400,000. This does not include a 17.5% buyer's premium, state sales tax, or shipping. I doubt the buyer would want to add another 3.5% in order to pay by credit card....I am surprised by the low price considering the Colt SAA that shot Billy the Kid went for over $6 mil. last year....

The colt SAA that shot Billy the Kid actually did something. Ole Jeff's revolver did not.

 

[archieclement]

The colt SAA that shot Billy the Kid actually did something. Ole Jeff's revolver did not.

Indeed can you imagine if Booth's Derringer ever went to auction.

Probally one the most significant shot ever fired. Perhaps the gun the assassinated Archduke Ferdinand leading to WW 1 would have same significance, but likely not here in the states.

 

[GwilymT]

Indeed can you imagine if Booth's Derringer ever went to auction.

Probally one the most significant shot ever fired. Perhaps the gun the assassinated Archduke Ferdinand leading to WW 1 would have same significance, but likely not here in the states.

Likely not. Booth's derringer would run into the same obstacles as Davis's unused tool when fetching money in an auction - weapons used (or in Jeff's case unused) in a bad cause.

 

[beepster]

Agree...I've never understood why collectors of historical firearms pay top prices for high condition guns. To me, the value lies in where they have been or what they did....my Colt 1851 Navy is a relic of Vicksburg and looks it.

 

[bayonet]

Will any of the women's clothing he was wearing be auctioned as well?

Was there a six pack of Bud Light in his saddle bags too when captured?

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

Agree...I've never understood why collectors of historical firearms pay top prices for high condition guns. To me, the value lies in where they have been or what they did....my Colt 1851 Navy is a relic of Vicksburg and looks it.

In this regard, Collectors may be compared to a wealthy man who acquires a trophy wife:

• Historical Connection of the collected item may be compared to Pleasant Personality and Character of the trophy wife.
• Condition of the collected item may be compared to Beauty and Attractiveness of the trophy wife.

No matter how much that man might praise and value her personality, he will have an appreciation of his trophy wife's "nice turn of ankle" or (if he is nautically inclined) her "upper works."
A Collector can value the historical connection of his collected item, but when he is rubbing on some protective coating, he can't help but appreciate smooth, untouched finish.

By the way, I am a long time fan of the Flashman series of books and false hero and cad Sir Harry Flashman's use of "upper works" in describing an amply endowed lady always makes me chuckle.

 

[archieclement]

Likely not. Booth's derringer would run into the same obstacles as Davis's unused tool when fetching money in an auction - weapons used (or in Jeff's case unused) in a bad cause.

Don't think so, as pointed out the problem in Davis's gun is it wasn't used, the same as guns Frank James bought and resold in his later years. A gun with an established provenance to war or robbery use would be far higher.

 

[Pollaco]

The "Jefferson Davis Surrender Revolver" (Beaumont/Adams) sold today at auction (Rock Island Auction Co.) for the "hammer price" of $400,000. This does not include a 17.5% buyer's premium, state sales tax, or shipping. I doubt the buyer would want to add another 3.5% in order to pay by credit card....I am surprised by the low price considering the Colt SAA that shot Billy the Kid went for over $6 mil. last year....

What exactly is a "buyers premium"?You can tell I haven't dealt with auctions much.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

What exactly is a "buyers premium"?You can tell I haven't dealt with auctions much.

A Buyers' Premium is a commission collected by the auction house of a stated percentage of the sales price - the Buyer pays this.
This is in addition to the commission collected the the auction house from the seller of a stated percentage of the sales price.
I am not an auction expert, but I believe this has two benefits to the auction house:

• first, dividing up the total commission makes it seem lower - the buyer doesn't pay too much attention to the Buyers' Premium, and the Buyer doesn't pay any attention to the commission charged to the seller.
• It allows the auction house to waive or greatly reduce the charge to the seller to encourage a seller to list some really nice item or collection with the house while still collecting a healthy commission on the item from the buyer!

 

[archieclement]

The "Jefferson Davis Surrender Revolver" (Beaumont/Adams) sold today at auction (Rock Island Auction Co.) for the "hammer price" of $400,000. This does not include a 17.5% buyer's premium, state sales tax, or shipping. I doubt the buyer would want to add another 3.5% in order to pay by credit card....I am surprised by the low price considering the Colt SAA that shot Billy the Kid went for over $6 mil. last year....

I tend to think it's like the saying with motorhomes...............If you have to ask how much it costs to drive its probally not for you

 

[beepster]

Well stated! You really have to want the item to buy it at one of these auctions. After paying the "buyers premium", sales tax, and other charges (buyer's proxy, packing & shipping, etc.) you can easily count on adding 25% or more to the hammer price...

 

[redbob]

It brought 470K + plus other charges.