Premier Firearms Auction - Day 3
Premier Firearms Auction - Day 3
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Description
Smith & Wesson No. 1 First Issue Second Type Revolver
Lot # 3100 (Sale Order: 101 of 606)
Manufactured c. 1857-1858, this is an example of a Second Type Smith & Wesson No. 1 First Issue revolver. These No. 1 First Issue revolvers are considered to be the first successful American metallic cartridge revolver with a bored through cylinder. This example has the distinctive "bayonet" barrel latch visible on the front bottom of the frame and lacks the visible key fastening the recoil plate which was a defining feature of the First Type, while still having the revolving recoil plate. The single line Smith & Wesson address is on top of the barrel rib and matching numbers are present on the toe, barrel lug, and inside both grips. The cylinder has the April 3, 1855 and July 5, 1859 patent dates (faint), making it a replacement 2nd issue component. The distinctive round sideplate of the First Issue No. 1 revolvers is visible on the left of the frame.
Class: Antique
Good, showing a mottled grey-brown patina on the iron with some scattered light pitting, primarily on the cylinder, and the brass showing an attractive antique patina. The dark grips are also good with a repaired vertical crack the length of the right panel and otherwise light handling marks. The hammer only holds at full cock intermittently, otherwise mechanically fine.
Copy of a Smith & Wesson Model Number 1 Second Issue Revolver
Lot # 3101 (Sale Order: 102 of 606)
Although there are no maker markings, Birmingham proofs are stamped on the upper left barrel flat and on the cylinder on each of the seven chambers at the rear. The cylinder locking bar is housed in the top strap, as found on the S&W Model No. 1. Simple double line border engraving is featured on the barrel, frame, back strap and butt. The barrel and cylinder are numbered to the gun. The grips are finely checkered, including the butt.
Class: Antique
Fine, retaining 70% original polished blue finish with the balance a smooth brow-gray patina. The grips are also fine with a tiny chip near the butt (right panel) and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically needs work as the cylinder does not lock properly one of seven times when the hammer is cocked.
New York Engraved Smith & Wesson Model No. 1 3rd Issue Revolver
Lot # 3102 (Sale Order: 103 of 606)
Manufactured from 1868 to 1881. Featuring fine, New York broad floral scrollwork on punch dot background along with diamond pattern on the sides of the barrel, entwining lines on the back strap, and zig-zag lines and cross hatching on the barrel lug. Engraving covers 70% of the surface. Matching assembly marks appear on the grip frame, cylinder, and barrel.
Class: Antique
Fine. The barrel and cylinder retain 95% retailer nickel plating, and the frame retains traces of nickel in the protected areas. The engraving is crisp. The grips are very fine with a few age lines and attractive color. Mechanically needs work as cylinder does not lock properly when the action is cycled.
Pre-World War II Colt Single Action Army Revolver
Lot # 3103 (Sale Order: 104 of 606)
This Colt Single Action Army revolver was manufactured in 1925. The revolver has the Colt commercial blue finish on the barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap. The frame, hammer and loading gate are color casehardened. The trigger, frame screws and grip screws have a fire blue finish. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.". The left side of the barrel is roll-stamped with the caliber designation"32 W.C.F." The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt "Three-Date/Two-Line" patent marking followed by the Rampant Colt trademark. The left front trigger guard bow is stamped with the "Triangle/VP" proof mark below a "3" assembler's mark. The assembly number "796" is stamped on the inside of the loading gate and on the right shoulder of the frame. The serial number is stamped on the bottom of the frame and on the right side of the back strap and trigger guard beneath the grips. The partial serial number "75" is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder. The grips are raised relief carved steerhead pearls with ruby eyes that are of the period. All of the visible serial numbers match. The included factory letter states the revolver was shipped to H&D Folsom Arms Co. of New York City on November 21, 1925 with hard rubber stocks, 5 1/2 inch barrel in .32-20 caliber, and blue finish. This was a single gun shipment.
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Excellent. The revolver retains 98% plus of the bright original blue, vivid color casehardened and fire blue finish. The frame, hammer and loading gate have vivid case colors. There are spots of surface oxidation visible ahead of the ejector rod housing and butt. All of the markings are perfect. Mechanically excellent. The slightly oversized replacement period pearl grips are extremely fine with a small chip on the bottom of the left grip. Mechanically excellent. This is an outstanding example of a 1925 production Colt Single Action Army revolver!
Texas Shipped Colt Single Action Army Revolver
Lot # 3104 (Sale Order: 105 of 606)
This is a Texas shipped example of the legendary Peacemaker chambered in the iconic .45 LC caliber. The SAA is one of the most iconic firearms of the American west, and it, alongside the Winchester Model 1873, are often cited as the "guns that won the west". The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped on December 17, 1924 to famed Fort Worth, Texas, retailer Wolf & Klar with a 4 3/4 inch barrel in .45 caliber, nickel plating, and type of stocks not listed. This was a five gun shipment. Wolf & Klar was a prominent hardware, jewelry, and gun store that attracted Texas outlaws and lawmen among others. Gunmakers Colt and Smith & Wesson counted the company as one of their biggest customers. Matching serial numbers on frame and both grip straps under the right grip panel.
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Very fine, as polished bright with minimal handling marks and re-cut markings. The replacement grips are excellent with crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Antique Colt Single Action Army Inscribed T.C. Nunn Bryan, Tex.
Lot # 3105 (Sale Order: 106 of 606)
The factory letter indicates this historic Colt Single Action Army revolver was in .45 caliber with a 4 3/4 inch barrel, "Soft" finish, rubber grips, and no engraving when it was the sole gun of this type shipped to Hartley & Graham in New York City on December 21, 1897. The remarks state: "The word 'soft' which appears with the finish indicates subject revolver was shipped with out final finishing for engraving outside of our factory. In addition it is noted that the revolver was furnished with a light pull." The revolver features essentially full coverage scroll engraving with wavy line accents and beaded backgrounds. The barrel has a blade front sight, the two-line address on top, and "45 COLT" in an oval panel on the left. The frame similarly has the two-line patent marking in an oval panel on the left side. The revolver is finished with silver plating and fitted with attractive pearl grips. The back strap is inscribed "T.C. NUNN" along the back and "BRYAN TEX." on the butt. The serial numbers are matching (the first "4"s are remarked over a "3", presumable a factory correction). Famed Master Engraved Louis D. Nimschke's primary client during his career from c. 1850 until his death in 1904 was Hartley & Graham in New York City, the larges firearms dealer in the country for much of the 19th century.The revolver is accompanied by a silver "SHERIFF/BRAZOS COUNTY" badge with "TEXAS" marked on the points of the central star and a "C. STUBENRAUCH/MANUE'R/SAN ANTONIO TEX" maker's mark dating to c. 1890s (noted as purchased from Paul Sorrell), a copy of "Brazos County History: Rich Past-Bright Future, Honoring the Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986" by the Brazos County Heritage and History Council and Family History Foundation, and a binder of information and research compiled by Greg Lampe. Within the binder is a September 16, 1993, dated notarized letter from Mary K. Fox indicating she inherited this revolver from Thomas M. O'Connor who she worked for. O'Connor's wife Mary Nall was from Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, and was the daughter of M.G. Nall and Mary Pelham Nall. "I believe that M.G. Nall was a brother or very closely related to R.M. Nall who became sheriff of Brazos County, Bryan, Texas in 1904 directly following Sheriff T.C. Nunn, who was the original owner of the Colt 45 and was the Sheriff of Brazos County for two terms, a total of (19) years." Mary Pelham Nall's (1889-1965) husband was Milton Guy Nall (1878-1953), son of Richard Milton Nall (1853-1924) who served as City Marshall of Bryan and Brazos County Sheriff.Sheriff Thomas Claude Nunn (1854-1927) was born in Lexington, Washington County, Texas, and lived in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas. He lived during a rough period in Texas, born into a slave-owning family prior to the Civil War and coming of age during the Reconstruction Era and the period of lawlessness and extra-judicial justice that followed. Prior to being elected sheriff, he worked as a cattle driver and a saloon owner. Nunn had run for sheriff prior to his first successful election on November 4, 1890, and then was re-elected multiple times up and served until November 8, 1904, when R.M. Nall was elected. Nall served until 1908 and was followed by John D. Conlee who served in 1908-1914. In 1914, Nunn was again elected to the office and served until November 5, 1918. "Brazos County History," states "Of the 15 continuous years Sheriff Nunn held office, the last few years of the 19th century proved to be the most trying. However, Sheriff Nunn was to demonstrate to the subjects of Brazos County the reason he was able to maintain his office so long. He was a responsible man. This sheriff obviously cared for all the people of Brazos County and through innovative law enforcement methods sought to carry out the application of the law to the best of his ability." The "to the best of his ability" comment may be a reference to the fact that during his time in office, there were multiple racially charged lynchings in Brazos County. Nunn himself made public statements on the situation at times decrying the lawlessness and at others making supportive statements such as, "I further believe that when the people undertake the law in their own hands, it should be a general uprising by the best citizens of the county, and what they do should be done after great caution and due deliberation in broad open day." In once case in early 1897, he and his deputies attempted to hold the prisoner in face of the mob in an attempt to maintain his authority and ensure proper legal proceedings. He reportedly fired his guns out of the jail and called for military assistance from the governor, but u
more... Provenance: The Greg Lampe Collection
British General's Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Revolver
Lot # 3106 (Sale Order: 107 of 606)
The New Model 3 dominated target competitions in the late 1800s and are found in the serial number range below 4,333. Of the 4,333 target variations manufactured, 2,930 were chambered in .32-44 caliber. These revolvers were introduced in 1887. The revolver features target sights, two-line barrel rib legend ending with the re-issue patent date, and matching three digit serial number "514" on the butt, right grip panel, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch. "A 403" is finely engraved on the front strap. The British style oak case has an interesting handwritten "Directions for use" on the interior of the lid and the name "C.E. Haig" inscribed on the brass lid disk. Includes a box of UMC .32-44 cartridges. The accompanying letter of provenance on Michael Miller letterhead states that the revolver belonged to Charles Edwin Haig (1849-1917) who "in turn gave it to his son R.C. Haig when he received his commission in the 16th Lancers in 1894. He served in the South African Wars and received the Queens Medal and four clasps [Cape Colony, Orange River Colony, Johannesburg, and Diamond Hill]. During the Great War 1914-1918 he was mentioned in dispatches five times. Received the Distinguished Service Order in 1915...He received that bar to the DSO in 1917 and a second in 1918. In 1917 he was made a brigadier general." The letter erroneously states General Roland Charles Haig was killed in action in 1942. During the Third Battle of the Aisne on May 27, 1918, General Haig's headquarters was heavily gassed and overrun by a German attack. Haig managed to escape, but his injuries from the gas attack forced him to resign his command. He retired from the army in 1923, became an avid golfer, and died at the age of 80 in 1953.
Class: Antique
Very fine, retaining 85% original nickel plating with scattered flaking and smooth gray patina on the balance. 50% of original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger guard. The grips are excellent with minimal handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good with a few stress cracks on the exterior, minor handling/storage marks, and typical high spot wear on the lining. An interesting S&W New Model No. 3 Target Revolver documented to a decorated British general.
Provenance: Charles Edwin Haig; R.C. Haig; Property of a Gentleman
Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Target Inscribed to Henry Thwing
Lot # 3107 (Sale Order: 108 of 606)
The included factory letter lists this revolver as shipped on July 23, 1896, to Simmons Hardware Co. in St. Louis, Missouri, with a 6 1/2 inch barrel and blue finish. The revolver has a pinned bead style blade front sight, target rear sight, two-line address and patent marking ending in the 1871 reissue date, matching serial numbers (barrel, latch, cylinder, and butt as well as hand marked in the right grip which has also 2482 cross out). The backstrap inscription "PRESENTED TO HENRY C. THWING." is cut through the finish. Thwing's identity has not been confirmed, but there is a Henry "Hank" Clinton Thwing (1861-1940) of Belleville, Illinois, who was identified as a retired court reporter who had been active in that position for 45 years. The Belleville Daily Advocate's obituary for Thwing indicates that he had been "a soldier of fortune" in the West and Southwest as a young man in Texas, California, and elsewhere prior to returning to Belleville in 1890. Letters to a Henry C. Thwing are footnoted in the book "Pender Harbour Cowboy: The Many Lives of Bernard Sinclair." Henry Clay Thwing (1844-1927) born in Wisconsin was a farmer in Garden Prairie, Iowa, and died in Nebraska and is also a possibility. Includes a tag identifying it as from Jim Supica's collection.
Class: Antique
Fine with 95% original nickel plating remaining, some light speckling, crisp inscription, and light handling and storage marks. The grips are also very fine and have slight aging, crisp checkering, and minimal wear. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Supica Collection; Property of a Gentleman
S&W New Model No. 3 Revolver Shoulder Stock
Lot # 3108 (Sale Order: 109 of 606)
Offered here is a S&W walnut stock extension designed for use with a S&W New Model No. 3 revolver. It has nickel plated attaching hardware and a checkered S&W hard rubber buttplate. Includes a correct and proper S&W box.
Class: Other
Excellent, retaining 99% plus original nickel finish with limited handling marks. Box is also excellent with limited storage and handling marks.
Colt "Sheriff's" Model 1877 Thunderer Ejectorless Revolver
Lot # 3109 (Sale Order: 110 of 606)
Manufactured in 1903, this is an outstanding example of an ejectorless "Sheriff's Model" variation of the Colt Model 1877 "Thunderer" revolver. Though the nicknames "Rainmaker", "Lightning", and "Thunderer" are all excellent marketing material, they were not names ever actually used by Colt. These nicknames are believed to have been coined by the famous Colt distributors, Benjamin Kittredge, who is also believed to have been responsible for giving the Single Action Army its iconic nickname, "Peacemaker". The Model 1877 was designed by William Mason, who was also one of the designers of the legendary "Peacemaker", and the similarities between the two are undeniable. While not nearly as successful as the Single Action Army from a business standpoint, the Model 1877 was an incredibly important stepping stone towards the double action revolvers that would carry Colt successfully through the 20th century. This example has the standard two-line address on top of the barrel and the "COLT.D.A.41" caliber marking on the left. The three-line patent date marking is on the left of the frame followed by the iconic circled Rampant Colt. The assembly number "492" is marked inside the loading gate. The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and backstrap, and both grips appear to have faint, hand marked, matching partial serial numbers. It is fitted with blade front and frame-top groove rear sights, as well as a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the tops. Included with the revolver is a scarce, correctly labeled, factory picture box which features an image of an ejectorless Model 1877 revolver on the lid, with the end having a correct label with an additional partial label added which states "WITHOUT EJECTOR". The box is hand numbered on the bottom to a different gun.
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Excellent, retains 97% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish, 98% of the vibrant original case colors, and 99% of the original niter blue with some very light edge wear and very little handling evidence. The grips have a series of minor scuffs on the left panel but otherwise are excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is very good with a couple corners of the lid separated, a few small pieces absent from the labels, and mild wear.
Colt Model of 1877 Thunderer Double Action Revolver
Lot # 3110 (Sale Order: 111 of 606)
This Colt Thunderer Model 1877 DA revolver was manufactured in 1897. The revolver has a 4 1/2 inch barrel and the distinctive checkered, hard rubber, birdhead grips. The barrel, cylinder, trigger guard and backstrap have a high polish blue finish. The frame and loading gate are case-hardened. The trigger and top of the hammer are niter blue and the sides of the hammer are bright. The black, hard rubber grips, are finely checkered and have the Rampant Colt trademark in an oval in the upper corners. The top of the barrel is marked "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co/HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A." in two lines. The left side of the barrel is marked "COLT. D.A. 41". The left side of the frame is stamped with the 1871, "73 and "75 patent dates in a three-line format followed by the encircled Rampant Colt trademark. The serial number is located on the front of the frame, the trigger guard, and the backstrap. The partial serial number, "374" is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder.
Class: Antique
Excellent plus. The revolver retains 97% plus of the original blue and casehardened finish. The barrel shows minimal wear and retains the feathered polishing marks on either side of the front sight blade. The blue on the barrel, ejector shroud, cylinder trigger guard and backstrap is nearly all intact and finish loss is limited to traces of edge wear on high points and an extremely minor patch of surface rust on front grip strap. The color casehardened finish on receiver and loading gate is has vivid case colors. The fiery, niter blue, finish on the trigger, screws and top of the hammer is 98% intact. Markings are sharp. The grips are also excellent with minor high spot wear. Mechanically excellent. An outstanding example of a Model 1877 Thunderer DA Revolver.
True Grit Rooster Cogburn Style Waistcoat Marked John Wayne
Lot # 3111 (Sale Order: 112 of 606)
Born Marion Robert Morrison in 1907 in Winterset, Iowa, John "The Duke" Wayne needs little introduction. In 1916, Wayne's family moved to southern California, where he spent his childhood and would later attend college at USC. After breaking his collar bone during a bodysurfing incident, Wayne lost his football scholarship at the university, and being unable to pay his tuition, left college. As a favor to USC football coach Howard Jones, Wayne was hired as a prop boy and extra by Tom Mix and John Ford at the Fox Film Corporation. Wayne quickly moved into bit parts, before landing his first starring role in "The Big Trail" in 1930. In 1939, The Duke landed the lead role in "Stagecoach", making him a mainstream Hollywood star, going on to star in 142 films, Wayne cemented his legacy as one of Hollywood's legendary actors. John Wayne remains a household name to this day, having played a starring role in iconic films such as "Flying Leathernecks", "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon", "The Longest Day", "Rio Bravo", "The Alamo", "The Green Berets", "The Comancheros", and "True Grit". The vest offered here is one of those worn by Wayne's character Rooster Cogburn in the films "True Grit" and "Rooster Cogburn". The tag on the inside collar is marked for the Western Costume Co. of Hollywood and is also marked "No.2456-3". Another of the waistcoats, previously sold at auction in October 2011 had a tag marked "No. 2456-2". The tag on both this vest and the one previously sold were also marked "John Wayne #2" and with his chest measurement of 48 1/2. The vest itself is of a tan leather suede with notched lapels and leather drawstrings around the middle. The backing is of a coarse woven linen, and it is lined with a finer linen. There is a steel badge pinned to the left chest which is marked "MARSHAL" and has floral engraving. There is no further documentation included with this piece, but it certainly has every appearance of being a John Wayne costume piece screen worn in either "True Grit", "Rooster Cogburn", or both. The vest is contained in a glass topped display frame which measures approximately 36 3/4 x 31 1/4 x 4 1/2 inches.
Class: Other
Fine, the vest itself shows some mild wear typical of being worn on set for filming with some scattered light age cracking. The label remains crisp and clear. The badge shows an attractively aged patina. The frame is excellent with only the slightest handling/storage evidence. A fantastic display piece for a gun room or office!
Provenance: John Wayne; The Gary Hess Collection; Private Collection
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance Colt Single Action Amy Revolver
Lot # 3112 (Sale Order: 113 of 606)
There is no other handgun that exudes the character, grit and style of the American frontier like the Colt Single Action Army Revolver. The revolver found itself almost immediately popular as a sidearm upon its release in the mid-late 1800s, and that popularity continued well into the 20th century among those with a desire for unwaveringly reliable firepower. The Peacemaker, as it was nicknamed, has left an indubitable mark on the American zeitgeist through countless appearances in TV and film Westerns. This SAA has bridged the gap between reality and fantasy of the American West. This is an SAA that has lived a true Texas frontier life in the 1880s and later portrayed the Wild West on the silver screen. This SAA was manufactured in 1884 per the Colt website, and certainly shows the character often associated with the “wild west,” having the appearance of a well-used gun in a challenging environment. It is not hard to imagine this SAA in the hand of a wandering cowboy or a Texas gunslinger. Adding credence to this revolver's potential former life, is the fact that the included factory letter lists it as having shipped to J.C. Petmecky of Austin, Texas, on November 21, 1885. This was a six gun shipment. While the SAA is deeply associated with the American West, perhaps no other state personifies the image of the Wild West more than Texas. Along with the shipment information, the letter indicates the revolver left the Colt factory with a 4 ¾ inch barrel in .45 caliber and blue finish along with hard rubber stocks that have since been replaced with walnut. Joseph Carl Petmecky was a major gun supplier in Austin. When he died in 1926 the shop had continuously operated for 74 years. Born in Germany in 1842, Petmecky arrived in New Braunfels, Texas, at the age of three with his family. By age ten his family migrated to Austin and he entered into a gun maker apprenticeship under the teachings of Gil Lambert. The apprenticeship lasted only 4 years and a young Petmecky took over the Lambert shop. During the Civil War Petmecky temporarily closed his business to fight for the Confederacy in the Southwest. His shop an Congress Avenue certainly provided the guns that helped tamed the West and numerous Colt SAAs can be traced through Petmecky’s shop. It was purported that Petmecky made guns for some of Texas’ biggest titans like Sam Houston, Ben McCulloch, Big Foot Wallace, and Sul Ross. When this SAA was shipped to Petmechky’s shop in 1885 the Texas capital had a population at just over 11,000. In 2022, Austin boasted a population of over 974,000 people. In 1885, the American West was in a middle of a series of disputes between farmers and cattleman over land rights that became known as the Fence Cutting Wars. To protect land holdings from migrating farmers, cattlemen erected barbed wire fence around their tracts of land. Settlers viewed the barbed wire as an act against the open range that would not be tolerated and soon took to fence cutting. To deter the fence cutting armed groups were deployed. Violence naturally followed. In Texas the violence was especially fierce. In 1883, Texas alone racked up more the 20 million dollars in damage caused by fence cutters. Shootouts between landowners and fence cutters was common. Fast forward several decades and the revolver found its way to the famed gun provider for the film industry Stembridge Rental Company which was once housed on the Paramount Studio lot in Hollywood, California. Through Stembridge the revolver made several appearances in TV and film westerns including the 1962 critically acclaimed John Ford film “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” starring veteran western actors John Wayne and James Stewart. The film contains one of the best known lines of dialogue to any Western: “This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.” This line was uttered by the town’s newspaper editor after Stewart’s character admits years later that he, in fact, did not kill Liberty Valance; an attributed act that made Stewart’s character a local hero. The Stembridge Rental Company “S” property marking is stamped on the underside of the frame above the serial number. This SAA’s second life as a movie gun is well-documented in the provided Stembridge production rental sheets. Dated August 31, 1961 the no. 2024 rental sheet clea
more... Provenance: Stembridge Rental Company (“The Man Who Shoot Liberty Valance,” “Bonanza,” “The Last Rebel,” “Wild & Wooly,” “Standing Tall," “Last Ride of the Dalton Gang,” “Mr. Horn,”); Robert Petersen; The Al Frisch Collection; Property of a Gentleman
Black Powder Colt Single Action Army Revolver in .44 S&W
Lot # 3113 (Sale Order: 114 of 606)
Manufactured in 1895. This revolver is one of the highly desirable 44 Smith & Wesson (44 S&W) marked Colt Single Action Army. Based on research by Colt historian and author David Brown, Colt only manufactured 24 standard frame Single Action Army Revolvers in .44 S&W ("The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army," page 104). Brown noted, "The .44 S&W was more popular in the Flat-top than the Standard Frame design in both the Standard and Bisley Models, so the Standard Frame is the rarest of the caliber." The top of the barrel is marked with the one line address, "44 S&W" on the left side and the left side of the frame is marked with the two line, three patent dates followed by the Rampant Colt. This is unique in that Colt actually did the unthinkable by putting their competitors name on the side of its own revolvers. This was due to the fact that customers desired this caliber for the interchangeability with the Smith & Wesson revolvers. The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The loading gate is marked with the assembly number "786". Standard blade front and frame notch rear sights, blue finish with casehardened hammer and frame, and fitted with checkered hard rubber grips with the Rampant Colt in an oval at the top.
Class: Antique
Exceptionally fine. The revolver retains 60% plus bright original high polish blue finish with a crisp, untouched gray patina on the balance. The frame retains 80% original case colors with few high spot areas having faded to a silver gray. The grips have faded to brown and remain fine with a couple small dings on the lower edge and a small area of moderate wear on the otherwise crisp checkering. The markings are clear. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Gateway Collection
16 Inch Barreled Colt Single Action Army Revolver
Lot # 3114 (Sale Order: 115 of 606)
The Colt Single Action Army was one of the most popular handguns in late 19th century and no other firearm exudes the character, grit, and style of the American frontier like the Colt Single Action Army revolver. The legendary Peacemaker has become a beloved collectable, especially those with rare special order features. One of those rare special order features is the factory carbine barrel (10-16 inches). Offered here is a black powder SAA with a 16 inch factory barrel and skeleton shoulder stock deep in Texas history. Perhaps no other state personifies the Wild West like Texas! As a carbine barreled standard frame SAA no. 25922 certainly stands out as a true rarity in Colt collecting. Because of its standard frame no. 25922 is even rarer than the 30 known Buntline Specials Colt built on a flattop target frame found in the 28801-28830 serial number range. Per Colt historian and author Ron Graham, only two 16 inch standard frame SAAs are known (see included letter).The history of the revolver is spelled out in a 1957 notarized letter of provenance from John D. Whitley of Cameron, Texas. Whitley states his father, Major Julius William Whitley, purchased revolver no. 25922 with skeleton shoulder stock in 1885 or 1886. He clearly remembered his father using the revolver and stock on deer hunting trips and had the “sights added later for better accuracy.” A second 1957 notarized letter of provenance gave additional details. A.S. Dodson of Cameron, Texas, purchased the revolver and stock from Major Julius Whitley in 1913. In 1957, T.E. Dodson, whose father was A.S. Dodson, sold it to noted Texas gun collector and museum curator Gaines de Graffenried. The customer draft issued by de Graffenried for the amount of $250.00 to T.E. Dodson is included. This was only partial payment for the revolver as total cost was $500. De Graffenried was an early organizer and exhibitor of gun shows in Waco, Texas, circa 1940s-1950s, was a charter member of the Texas Gun Collectors Association, and was a governor appointed member of the commission to establish the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum at Waco. From 1975 until his death in 1991, de Graffenried served as the curator of exhibits, a non-paying position, at the Texas Ranger Museum. The City of Waco purchased a large portion of this 700 gun collection in 1989 for the museum. The gun has been exhibited at several museums: Amon Carter Museum of Western Art in Fort Worth, Texas (“Frontier Guns,” January 23-April 1964 with museum paperwork included); Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco, Texas; and Frazier History Museum in Louisville, Kentucky. The revolver is pictured on pages 16-17 and identified on page 28 of the Amon Carter Museum catalog for the “Frontier Guns” exhibit. In Roger Conger’s the “Texas Collector: Gaines de Graffenried” the revolver is pictured and identified on pages 28-39. The book recounted de Graffenried’s dogged presentence in getting Dobson to sell the gun. De Graffenried first laid eyes on the revolver in 1936 when it sat in a storefront window in Cameron, Texas, and at the time the owner would not sell. It would be nearly two decades later before de Graffenried had another run in with the gun. The gun was also featured in the cover article to the September 1957 issue of The Gun Report by Roger Conger as well as in an article by Charles Worman in the March 1971 issue of Hobbies. The aforementioned publications accompany the revolver.In his accompanying letter, Colt historian and co-author of “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver” Ron Graham declared this black powder SAA as an authentic “Buntline” with the exception of the period added sights cited in the aforementioned letter of provenance and replacement cylinder and ejector rod housing. Graham wrote, “This Single Action Colt is fitted with a factory original, sixteen inch barrel! An extensive examination of number 25922, a previous examination of another factory original, 16” barrel, standard frame, 25000 serial number range SA, and with the known provenance of this Colt, it must be concluded that 25922 was factory assembled with it long barrel. There is purportedly no factory shipping record regarding 25922. Research indicates Colts’ gunsmiths probably assembled this revolver during the latter half of 1876. However, completion could have been as late as 1880.” When Graham wrote this letter in 2001 only two
more... Provenance: Major Julius Whitley; A.S. Dodson; T.E. Dodson; The Gaines de Graffenried Collection; Amon Carter Museum of Western Art; Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum; Frazier History Museum; Property of a Gentleman
Colt Single Action Army Revolver
Lot # 3115 (Sale Order: 116 of 606)
The Colt Single Action Army was one of the most popular handguns in late 19th century and is easily the most iconic and most thoroughly associated with the American West. Offered here is a early example of the legendary Peacemaker in .45 LC. In the words of Colt author and expert David Brown, "The Colt Single Action Army .45 was 'the soldier's friend' throughout the remaining years of the Indian Wars in the West. Adopted also with equal enthusiasm by civilians, it was the pet and the 'good right arm' of lawman and outlaw alike on every American frontier of its era" ("The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army," p. 70). The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped to Kennedy & Curtis of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 2, 1890 with a 7 1/2 inch barrel in .45 caliber, blue finish, and type of stocks not listed. This was a single gun shipment. The barrel has the one-line Hartford address on top and "45 COLT" on the left side. The U.S. surplus cylinder has the "DFC" inspector marking. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent dates marking. The assembly number "201" is marked on the loading gate. The barrel is numbered to a different gun: "7411." The matching serial number appears on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap.
Class: Antique
Very fine. The barrel and ejector rod housing retain 70% original blue finish, the cylinder retains 60% original blue finish, and the grip straps retain 70% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance and smooth brown-gray patina on the back strap. The hammer and frame retain 50% original case colors. The grips are excellent with some minor handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The TTT Collection
Colt London Sheriff's Model 1877 Lightning Ejectorless Revolver
Lot # 3116 (Sale Order: 117 of 606)
Manufactured in 1878, this is a desirable example of an ejectorless "sheriff's" Model 1877 Lightning revolver with a 3 1/2 inch barrel. A revolver in this configuration as the time would have been very popular for a Londoner to tuck away in a coat pocket for protection from muggings in the rapidly growing urban environments of the late 19th century. The top of the barrel is marked with the two-line address while the left is marked "COLT D.A. 38" in an acid etched panel. There are London proofs on the lower left of the barrel and each chamber of the cylinder at the rear. The two-line patent date marking is on the left of the frame and "38 CAL" is on the left of the trigger guard. The matching serial number is on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. It is fitted with blade front and groove rear sights, as well as a pair of checkered rosewood grips.
Class: Antique
Very fine, retains 50% of the original blue finish and 75% plus of the original case colors with the balance having thinned to mostly a grey patina, most noticeably on the barrel, and a visible acid etched panel. The grips are fine with some scattered minor dings throughout and mostly crisp checkering. Trigger must be manually reset in double action, otherwise mechanically functions.
Antique Colt Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army Revolver
Lot # 3117 (Sale Order: 118 of 606)
From its inception and beyond its introduction in 1877, the .44-40 W.C.F. Single Action Army was intended to be used in conjunction with another legendary Western icon, the Winchester Model 1873 rifle, which was chambered in the same cartridge. "The .44-40 W.C.F. was added to the list of Colt calibers for use with the popular Winchester rifle of the same caliber," wrote Colt author David Brown. "This combination of a rifle and a six shooter using the same cartridge made it possible for their user to buy only one kind of ammunition, and he could carry 'fodder' for both guns in the same cartridge belt." These revolvers often saw many years of hard use in the unforgiving climate of the Western Frontier, making antique examples in high condition like this one incredibly scarce, eagerly snatched up by serious collectors, and rarely parted with. When this example was made (1893), much of the American West remained very much "wild" and it was shipped to St. Louis, the Gateway to the West. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped on September 29, 1893 to Simmons Hardware Co. of St. Louis, Missouri, with 4 3/4 inch barrel in .44-40 caliber, blue finish, and type of stocks not listed. The shipment was for fifty guns. The top of the barrel has the standard two-line address and the iconic Frontier Six Shooter marking on the left. The left side of the frame has the standard two-line patent dates followed by an encircled Rampant Colt. The matching serial number is on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The assembly number "746" is stamped inside the loading gate.
Class: Antique
Exceptionally fine, retaining 80% plus original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance and holster and edge type wear. The hammer and frame retain 90% plus original case colors. The grips are excellent with left panel sun faded and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. An antique Colt Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army Revolver that displays nicely!
Provenance: The Greg Lampe Collection
Lot 5 Custer Battle Attributed US Colt Cavalry Model Revolver
Lot # 3118 (Sale Order: 119 of 606)
In terms of the American Indian Wars in the late 19th century, no battle is as famous as the Battle of the Little Bighorn on June 25-26, 1876, during the Great Sioux War of 1876 (aka the Black Hills War). The "Battle of the Greasy Grass" as it was known to Native Americans, was one of the greatest battlefield victories in Native American history and one of the worst defeats in U.S. history. In the battle, the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho fought off an attack and then pursued and defeated the 7th Cavalry, including destroying Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer's immediate command. Like St. Clair's Defeat during the Northwest Indian War almost a century earlier, the impressive Native American victory did little to slow the tide of western expansion, but it did make legends out of many of the warriors and chiefs that fought that day. By the time the corpses of Custer and his men laid strewn across the plains, Custer was already a very well-known military leader, but his death fighting alongside his command against a superior number of native warriors secured his place in history and has made "Custer's Last Stand" one of the most iconic legends of the American West. As a result, Custer became the most famous U.S. cavalry officer of the Indian Wars, and he and his men have been memorialized in countless works of art and literature. Their defeat shocked the nation.Over the decades, the story of Custer's defeat has been told over and over with varying degrees of accuracy. Much of what happened has been lost to time given no one fighting alongside Custer lived to tell the tale. Instead we have oral histories passed down from Native American warriors who defeated him, reports from surviving members of the 7th Cavalry and the U.S. allied Crow and Arikara scouts that fought elsewhere during the battle, and evidence collected from the battlefield. The basic story is clear. Custer led the 7th Cavalry in an attack on a large combined village of Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapahoes on the Little Bighorn River. He believed the village was smaller and contained at most 800 warriors, but instead, they found it contained around 8,000 Native Americans and as many as 1,800 warriors. The 7th Cavalry had 600 men, and 125 men were with the pack train. Custer took command of five companies (210 men) while two other detachments were led by Captain Frederick Benteen and Major Marcus Reno. After the initial attack, Reno's men retreated, and Custer's command remained separated and was encircled by the Native American warriors. Instead of one last stand as is often depicted, there were multiple attempts by groups of his men to fight. Around 40 of the 210 fighting under Custer died surrounded by hundreds of warriors on the hill where a stone monument stands today. Reno's detachment, supported by Benteen's men, fought on to the south through the night and learned of Custer's death the following day. The whole nation was soon shocked by the news of "Custer's Last Stand." As a result, the military committed additional resources to the effort to "pacify" the "hostile Indians" on the plains, and most were defeated and confined to reservations within a year.Colt Single Action Army revolvers are among the most iconic, collectible, and valuable firearms in American history. They are certainly among the top "blue chips" of gun collecting. Thus, it comes as no surprise that when it comes to the classic U.S. contract "Cavalry Model" Colt Single Action Army revolvers, none are more desirable than those used by the U.S. 7th Cavalry under the command of Custer at the historic battle discussed above. Our current revolver falls within the "prime lot" of Colt Single Action Army revolvers issued to Custer's men prior to that fateful day: the Lot Five revolvers, serial numbers 4500-5504.This historic revolver is accompanied by a 1991 dated letter from Kenneth Leonard, a previous owner of the gun. In the letter Leonard stated he obtained the revolver from Jake Herman, Oglala Sioux Indian (today known as Oglala Lakota Nation) from Pine Ridge, South Dakota, in 1965. Jake Herman was a noted member of Pine Ridge. He had served as a tribal policeman and a tribal council member, and in 1965 he was the tribal historian and curator of the tribal museum at Pine Ridge. As told by Harman, “the gun was captured at the Little Big Horn and had been in his family since that time.” Kenneth Leonard purchased it from Herman in 1965.The revolver was examined by noted
more... Provenance: Jack Herman; The Kenneth Leonard Family; Property of a Gentleman
Black Powder Frame Colt Single Action Army Revolver
Lot # 3119 (Sale Order: 120 of 606)
This is a very attractive example of a Colt Single Action Army Revolver that was manufactured in 1887. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard one-line "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.". The left side of the frame is marked with the three line, three patent dates and the upper left front of the trigger guard is marked "45 CAL". The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap, with the partial number "7824" on the bottom of the barrel under the ejector housing and on the cylinder. Standard blade front and frame notch rear sights and fitted with a one-piece grip with carved steer head on the right side and a unique period incised woman's leg with a garter on the left side. The accompanying factory letter verifies the caliber, barrel length, nickel finish, grips as "Not Listed" and that it was shipped as 1 of 2 to W.C. Hodgkins & Co. New York, N.Y. on March 26, 1887.
Class: Antique
Very fine. The revolver retains 70% original nickel finish with some flaking on the breech end of the barrel and cylinder, some discoloration on the right side of the frame and in the cylinder flutes, and a gray patina on the grip straps. The attractive grip is very fine with numerous age stress lines present on the bottom, some shrinkage and a dark patina. The markings are clear. Mechanically excellent. This is most definitely an Old West Colt SAA with a great deal of character!
Provenance: The Gateway Collection
Colt Sheriff's Model Bisley Single Action Army Revolver
Lot # 3120 (Sale Order: 121 of 606)
Offered here is a rarity in Colt collecting: a factory documented Sheriff’s Model Bisley revolver with an ejectorless 4 inch barrel. The ejectorless Colt "Sheriff's Model" Single Action Army Revolver is one of the rarest and most sought after variations of the legendary Peacemaker. In "The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver, 1873-1895" the authors stressed the rarity of the ejectorless SAAs as a whole (barrel lengths ranged from 2 1/2 to 7 1/2 inches in the study) and state that "just under 600 ejectorless Single Action Army revolvers were produced in all calibers from 1882 to the 1930s." A Sheriff’s Model Bisley is especially rare. As noted in the 30th Anniversary Edition of "A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver," "Still rarer than factory engraved Bisleys are the smoothbores and Sheriff's Models... As of this updated revision, there are now nine known original, ejectorless, short barreled Bisley Model revolvers" (page 142). When the aforementioned publication was first published in 1976 the authors had yet to encounter an original Sheriff’s Model Bisley: "We will now review one of the rarest classifications of the ejectorless single actions, the short barreled Bisley Model…The opportunity to examine an original ejectorless Bisley Model has never been afforded" (page 76). In “The Book of Colt Firearms,” Colt historian and author R.L. Wilson asserted, “Less than a dozen Sheriff’s Models were made” (page 265). Total production of the Bisley Model stood at around 44,350 with about 8,500 chambered in .45 LC. This is an extremely rare Bisley variation, indeed! Based on Colt factory serial number ranges this Colt rarity was manufactured in 1904. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was sold to Zimmer Hardware & Implement Co. of Pecos City, Texas, and shipped on October 3, 1911 to Wyeth Hardware & Mfg. Co. of St. Joseph, Missouri, with a 4 inch barrel in 45 caliber, blue finish and type of stocks not listed. This was a two gun shipment. In “The Book of Colt Firearms,” Sheriff’s Model Bisley no. 259336, which is only 63 numbers later than this example, is pictured and cited as having an October 1911 shipping date (page 266). Henry C. Zimmer was the owner of the largest hardware and farm machinery business in Pecos. The success of his business was entirely of his own making as he arrived in Pecos around 1886 with nearly nothing. His parents had arrived in the United States from Germany and he was born in Saint Francis County, Missouri, in 1864, the youngest of nine children. Two of his brothers died for the Confederacy during the Civil War. Zimmer was a member of the Republican Party, served three terms as county commissioner, one term as justice of the peace, and five years as the mayor of Pecos. He worked in the blacksmithing trade before opening his hardware store in 1909. In 1924, he opened a car dealership selling Chevrolets and Buicks. The prosperous Wyeth Hardware & Mfg. Co. provided its customers with the best in sporting goods and automobile supplies and even manufactured a line of saddlery goods. Several decades later the revolver found a home in the famed Dr. Robert G. Cox collection. A prominent Colt collector and Texan, Cox (1922-1988) amassed a far-reaching collection of Colt New Lines. His extensive knowledge on New Lines assisted Robert Q. Sutherland and R.L. Wilson in writing the chapter Colt New Line and House Pistols to their seminal work “The Book of Colt Firearms.” According to accompanying letters, Cox purchased the revolver from Ernest Head of St. Angelo, Texas, in 1975. In one of the letters Head stated the revolver had been in the family since 1913 when his father, who worked for the Robertson Paint Co. in St. Angelo, purchased it from a painter. This Colt did in fact make its way to Texas. Few firearms are more deeply associated with the American West than the Colt Single Action Army and perhaps no other state personifies the image of the Wild West more than Texas. In 1975, Cox paid $500.00 for the Colt. Consignor research is included.The revolver has the distinctive Bisley Model features which include higher frame, humpback grip and back strap, curved hammer with wide knurled spur, wide trigger and two-piece black hard rubber checkered humpback grips. The barrel, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap are blued and the frame, loading gate and hammer are color casehardened. The Rampant Colt medallion is embossed in an oval at the top of the grips. The ejectorless 4 inch barrel has the two-line Hartford address marked on top and “(BISLEY MODEL) 45 COLT” marked on the left side. The left side of the frame has the two-line
more... Provenance: The Ernest Head Family; The Dr. Robert G. Cox Collection; The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection
Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Fluted Cylinder
Lot # 3121 (Sale Order: 122 of 606)
The Colt Single Action Army Revolver is arguably the most iconic American handgun. In the hands of ranchers, cavalrymen, Native Americans, lawmen, and outlaws, the Peacemaker’s legacy was forged out in the hostile American West and continues to gain popularity among today's collectors. Offered here is a very attractive example of the legendary Peacemaker chambered in the iconic .45 LC caliber with scarce factory documented long fluted cylinder. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped on June 13, 1914 to Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. of Chicago, Illinois, c/o William a. Groth & Sons with a 7 1/2 inch barrel in .45 caliber, blue finish, and stocks not listed. This was a single shipment. The letter also noted that the revolver was shipped out with the long fluted cylinder. The double action long flute cylinders are rare as Colt only assembled 579 single action revolvers in 1914 (1,478 total from 1913-1915) utilizing surplus cylinders from the Model 1878 revolvers per Graham, Kopec, and Moore on page 156 of "A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver". SAAs with the long fluted cylinder are rare and even rarer in high condition. The barrel has the one-line Hartford address on top and "45 COLT" on the left side. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates followed by a Rampant Colt, and the left side of the trigger guard has the Colt factory triangle proof and the number "1." The grips are numbered to another gun. The matching serial number appears on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. Matching assembly number appears on the loading gate and rear of the frame.
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Very fine. The barrel and ejector rod housing retain 80% plus original blue finish with holster type wear and some minor chemical spotting on the left side of the barrel. The cylinder retains 70% original blue finish with high edge wear and drag lines. The grip straps retain 60% original blue finish with a smooth brown-gray patina on the balance. The hammer and frame retain 70% original case colors. The replacement grips are very good with softened checkering. Mechanically excellent. A Colt SAA revolver with scarce long fluted cylinder that displays nicely.
Colt London Agency Model 1878 Frontier Revolver
Lot # 3122 (Sale Order: 123 of 606)
The included Colt factory letter states this revolver was shipped from Colt's Hartford factory to the Colt London Agency on February 3, 1887. The revolver has the high polish commercial blue finish with niter blue trigger, hammer top and screws. The butt is fitted with a lanyard loop. Grips are black checkered hard rubber with the Rampant Colt trademark in an oval at the top. The top of the barrel is marked: "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." in one line. The left side of the barrel is not marked with the caliber designation. The underside of the barrel is marked with the bore diameter "44" and "44 Cal" is stamped on the left front trigger guard bow. The Colt factory letter lists the caliber of the revolver as "44 Russian". The serial number is located on the front of the grip strap ahead of the lanyard loop. The partial serial number, "413" is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder. An assembly number, "22", is stamped on the loading gate. Although the factory letter lists the revolver as being shipped to the Colt London Agency the revolver is not stamped with the usual British proof and view marks. The markings are identical to standard production M1878 DA Revolvers.
Class: Antique
Exceptionally fine. The revolver retains 80% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish. There is moderate finish loss on the top strap and light-moderate finish loss on the ejector shroud, barrel muzzle, back strap and the sides of the receiver. The cylinder has moderate finish wear with a brown patina. The grips show light handling wear and remain in excellent condition. All markings are sharp. Mechanically excellent. A very scarce example of high condition .44 Russian caliber Colt M1878 Revolver.
Battle of Britain Colt Single Action Army Revolver
Lot # 3123 (Sale Order: 124 of 606)
This Colt Single Action Army revolver was manufactured in 1940, the last year of production for the SAA revolver, and shipped to the United Kingdom. This revolver was part of an order for 163 SAA revolvers by the British Purchasing Commission that was shipped from Colt on June 18, 1940. The revolvers were ordered by the British as an emergency replacement for small arms lost by the British Expeditionary Force during the evacuation from Dunkirk in May 1940. The "Battle of Britain" revolvers were the last Colt SAA revolvers ordered under a military contract. This revolver is identified by serial number as a "Battle of Britain" SAA in "A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver" on page 182.The revolver has a commercial blue finish on the barrel, cylinder, trigger guard and backstrap. The frame and loading gate have a casehardened finish and the trigger and hammer are blued. The sides of the hammer are polished. The revolver is fitted with two-piece, black checkered hard rubber grips with the Rampant Colt trademark in an oval at the top. The left shoulder of the back strap is stamped with the British Government "Broad Arrow" property mark above a "Crown/E4/E" Enfield inspection mark. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the address "COLTS PT.F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." in one line and the left side is roll-stamped "COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .45". The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt three-date in two-line patent markings followed by the Rampant Colt trademark. The left front trigger guard bow is stamped with a "4" assembler's mark above the Colt "VP/Triangle" proofmark. An "F" inspection mark is stamped in the hammer well above the firing pin hole. The inside of the loading gate is stamped with the assembly number "870". The full serial number is stamped on the bottom of the frame in front of the trigger guard and the partial serial number "43" is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder. This revolver has the distinction of being one of the last SAA revolvers manufactured by Colt before production ceased in 1940 as well as being one of the very historic "Battle of Britain" revolvers purchased the British for a last-ditch defense when faced with the imminent threat from a German invasion in the summer of 1940.
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Excellent plus. The revolver retains 99% of the original blue and vivid original casehardened finish. The barrel, cylinder, trigger guard and backstrap show only light handling marks. The cylinder has minimal turn marks. The case colors on the frame and loading gate are vivid. The hammer, trigger and screws retain nearly all of the niter blue finish. All of the markings are crisp. The hard rubber grips have faded slightly but remain in near mint condition. Mechanically excellent. This is an outstanding example of a historic documented "Battle of Britain" Colt SAA revolver in nearly new condition.
Provenance: The TTT Collection
101 Ranch Pair of Factory Engraved Colt Single Action Revolvers
Lot # 3124 (Sale Order: 125 of 606)
Rare Historic 101 Ranch Associated Documented Pair of Factory Engraved Silver Plated First Generation Colt Single Action Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army Revolvers with Relief Carved Steer Head Grips and Factory Letter –A) Colt Single Action Frontier Six Shooter Action Army Revolver
Factory engraved Colt Single Action Army revolvers are among the most desirable of all American firearms. The Single Action Army itself is arguably the most iconic handgun in history, and 357,800 were manufactured prior to World War II. However, though many of the most famous SAAs were engraved, using the most liberal statistics, only 4,500 pre-war Colt Single Action Army revolvers were factory engraved. Rock Island Auction Company is extremely proud to present Colt SAA nos. 350108 and 350181. These two revolvers were shipped from the factory on the same order and are an identical factory engraved pair with shipping history that link these grand works of Colt artistry to America’s Wild West heritage. To our knowledge this is the first time these historically significant revolvers have been offered as a pair at public auction.The accompanying factory letter is for both revolvers, proving without a doubt these two Colt masterpieces were part of the same two gun shipment. The letter states the revolvers were shipped on October 18, 1926 to Richards & Conover Hardware Co. with locations in Kansas City, Missouri and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and confirms the 4 ¾ inch barrels in .44-40 caliber, silver plating, grip material, carved steer head motif on the grip, and level 2 factory engraving. These two revolvers were the only guns in the shipment. Customers of Richards & Conover Hardware Co. included the Miller brothers of the famed 101 Ranch in Oklahoma. The 101 Ranch was founded in 1893 by Colonel George Washington Miller, a veteran of the Confederate Army, and after his death the operation was taken over by his three sons, Joseph, George Jr. and Zack. It was located near modern day Ponca City, Oklahoma, encompassed over 110,000 acres, was the birthplace of the 101 Ranch "Wild West Show," and was one of the early focal points of the oil rush in northeastern Oklahoma. It was the largest diversified farm and ranch in America at the time. The 101 earned most of its notoriety from its Wild West shows that it ran from 1905 to 1932 with an interruption during the First World War. Among their talented participants were the likes of Geronimo, Tom Mix, Will Rogers, Bill Picket, and the Chilean sharpshooter and trick shot horseman Carlos Chavez. Due to financial difficulties the 101 Ranch closed in 1939.The Miller brothers ordered merchandise for their store from Richards & Conover located in Oklahoma City. The 101 Ranch store is pictured in the photo section presented in Michael Wallis’ “The Real Wild West” (book included). In this same book is a photo of 101 Ranch gunsmith Glenn “Ammunition Shorty” Kischko. Kischko is surrounded by an assortment of 101 Ranch firearms including deluxe finished ivory handled Colt Six Shooters. Perhaps this pair made it into the photo. Kischko was the 101 Ranch gunsmith until 1926, the same year this engraved set was shipped from Colt. The photo of Kischko is also featured on the cover and page 91 of George E. Virgines’ “Famous Guns and Gunners” (copy included). In the 1930s the last surviving Miller brother, Zack, filed for bankruptcy, and the 101 Ranch assets were seized and auctioned off. It was at this time that these revolvers were likely separated. In 2018 our consignor reunited the pistols. Prior to 2018 gun “B” (no. 350181) was previously owned by Rafael Cruz. Our consignor purchased gun “A” (no. 350108) in 2012.The .44-40 WCF SAA has found a special place in the hearts of Peacemaker collectors. When introduced in 1877, the .44-40 WCF SAA was intended to be used in conjunction with another legendary Western icon, the Winchester Model 1873 Rifle, which used the same cartridge. As factory engraved examples, these Frontier Six Shooters are certainly one of the rarer and more highly sought after SAAs. In the chapter devoted to engraved SAAs in the seminal work “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver” the authors laid out statistics that without a doubt make factory engraved SAAs a true rarity in Colt collecting. Out of the engraved 1st Generations surveyed approximately 15% were chambered in .44 WCF (the vast majority, 65%, where in .45 caliber). .44-40 WCF was also a frequently used caliber featured in the 101 Ranch shows. This chambering fired blank cartridges and shot
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