Colt Nathan Bedford Forrest Frontier Scout 22 Long Rifle Revolver, 1968 C&R
SOLD FOR: $855.00
WOA#: WY240325BG015
Make: Colt
Model: Nathan Bedford Forrest Commemorative Colt Frontier Scout
Serial#: 1000NBF (number 1000 of 3000)
Year of Manufacture: 1968
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Single-Action Revolver with a Side-Gate loaded 6-Round Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “GENERAL NATHAN BEFORD FORREST”. The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.” The right side of the frame is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION FRONTIER SCOUT .22 L.R.” The left side of the frame is marked with a Rampant Colt Logo. The bottom of the frame is marked “1000NBF”. The left side of the trigger guard is marked “2”. The butt has decorative engraving.
Barrel Length: 4 3/4”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch integral to the top-strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grip panels are two-piece smooth wood with gold-colored Colt medallions. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blue, Black and Gold
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: The revolver retains about 98% of its metal finish. There is some scattered very minor spotting, most appearing to be dried grease. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: The revolver comes with a leatherette bound wood presentation case with red colored padding inside. The cover of the box is decorated with a portrait of Nathan Bedford Forrest, “GENERAL NATHAN BEDFORD FORREST” and “COLT” inside an oval. The inside portion of the cover’s padding is marked with the Rampant Colt Logo above ““…fustest with the mostest…” / -GENERAL NATHAN BEDFORD FORREST”. A custom information placard has been adhered to the interior of the case.
Our Assessment: General Nathan Bedford Forrest was one of the most controversial officers from the American Civil War. Forrest was a successful businessman in the Antebellum-South who lacked any military experience when the Civil War broke out in mid-1861. The Tennessee citizen was quick to enlist in the Confederate Army and like most wealthy men of the time, was assigned to a cavalry unit. The newly enlisted private Forrest was so dismayed at the lack of equipment his unit was provisioned with that he used his own personal funds to purchase supplies for the formation. The Governor of Tennessee, Isham G. Harris, was shocked that a man of Forrest’s background would enlist in the military, and he commissioned Forrest as a lieutenant colonel who was authorized to raise his own cavalry unit. Forrest would prove worthy of his commission when he took to the field establishing a reputation for personal bravery and demonstrating a surprising tactical acumen.
Forrest developed a penchant for using his cavalry in hit and run raids which wreaked havoc on Union lines. He would eventually achieve the rank of Lieutenant general, making Forrest one of the few men to rise from private to general. In 1864 one of the largest controversies surrounding Forrest occurred, his forces would famously recapture Folt Pillow, which had been seized by Union forces in 1862. The garrison of the fort was made up of a force of approximately 550 troops half of which were black. Following a brief engagement, Forrest’s men massacred most of the Union troops who had garrisoned the fortification both black and white alike. It was reported that Forrest’s men were particularly cruel to the black soldiers, although details of the massacre remain controversial and Forrest’s actual involvement is not entirely clear. Forrest would continue to fight until General Robert E. Lee capitulated in April of 1865, disbanding his unit in early May of 1865.
Following the end of the Civil War Forrest returned to civilian life in Tennessee and is most famous for his involvement with the Ku-Klux-Klan. While he did not create the organization, he was an early member and was the organization’s first Grand Wizard (a title taken from his wartime nickname “the wizard of the saddle”) and he became its most important figurehead for a time. After about 2-3 years in the Klan, in 1869, Forrest declared the organization defunct but his declaration had little effect. He would later speak out on behalf of the black community and publicly decry the murder and mistreatment of blacks, a surprising turn which came at the cost of his reputation with his peers. Forrest remained a crusader for racial reconciliation until his death in 1877.
This particular revolver pays homage to the controversial General. The quote inside the case “fustest with the mostest” has been attributed to Forrest, although he never muttered those words and it was actually a misquote. This is a beautifully preserved revolver that should certainly appeal to historical collectors. Good luck on your bid!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
