Mormon leader Brigham Young’s personal revolver up for bid (14 pics)

Brigham Young-1A revolver belonging to Mormon church leader Brigham Young is the flagship item up for bid in a firearm auction slotted for later this month.

Young’s Colt Model 1849 revolver was put up for auction by his direct descendants and they expect it to sell for $500,000 to $850,000, said the Rock Island Auction Company.

Known most notably for establishing what would eventually become Brigham Young University and the University of Utah, Young holds a prominent place in both American and Western history.

He succeeded the founder of the Church of Latter Day Saints, Joseph Smith, and served as the second president of the church. He led the Mormon exodus across the U.S., founded Salt Lake City, and also served as the first governor of the Utah Territory.

The revolver is personally inscribed to Young and was presented to him by what was then the largest firearms dealer west of the Mississippi, H. E. Dimick & Co.

Rock Island Auction obtained the handgun from the direct descendants of Young and is accompanied by a letter of provenance from his great-grandson.

The auction is scheduled to begin April 29 and closes May 1.

Brigham Young-3Brigham Young-4Brigham Young-5Brigham Young-7Brigham Young-8Brigham Young-9Brigham Young-10Brigham Young-11Brigham Young-12Brigham Young-13Brigham Young-14Brigham Young-2

[ Rock Island Auction ]

Latest Reviews

revolver barrel loading graphic

Loading