Two revolvers that belonged to Ulysses S. Grant has been sold for a seven-figure sum.
The Illinois-based Rock Island Auction Company announced the American commanding general’s Remington New Model Army revolvers were sold for $5.17 million on May 13 — the opening day of its three-day May Premier Auction.
The Rock Island Auction Company noted in a press release that the multimillion-dollar sale is the second-highest price that’s ever been paid for a collector firearm at the auction house.
The revolvers were artistically engraved with a vine-like pattern by L. D. Nimschke, a master firearm engraver from the 19th century.
He reportedly worked on more than 5,000 firearms between 1850 and 1904. Both revolvers have decorated grips that feature carved portraits of Grant.
The full story behind the revolvers is not certain, but the Rock Island Auction Company reported that the firearms “were believed to have been presented to Grant after he captured Vicksburg on the Fourth of July in 1863.”
This helped Grant — a Union Army general during the Civil War — secure “the length of the Mississippi River for the Union.”
Grant went on to become the 18th president of the U.S. in 1868.
Rock Island Auction Company initially estimated the historic revolver set would sell for $1 million to $3 million.
The bidding started at $800,000 — and went above the weapon auctioneer’s top estimate by over $2 million.
The winning bidder also received the original rosewood case that the revolvers are stored in along with a “full complement of accessories.”
Click below to watch a informative video on the revolvers, from Rock Island Auction Company: