Extraordinary Firearms Auction, Day 1

Extraordinary Firearms Auction, Day 1

Monday, March 10, 2014  |  10:00 AM Eastern
Auction closed.
Extraordinary Firearms Auction, Day 1

Extraordinary Firearms Auction, Day 1

Monday, March 10, 2014  |  10:00 AM Eastern
Auction closed.
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Description

Julia’s has established itself as the preeminent seller of rare, expensive, high-grade firearms in the world today. The upcoming March auction is again a MUST SEE–MUST PARTICIPATE event.

James D. Julia Inc.


(207) 453-7125
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Pg : 8 of 17

COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

Lot # 1185 (Sale Order: 176 of 402)      

SN 114707. Cal. 45 Colt. Blue and color case hardened with 7-1/2" bbl, full front sight and 1-line block letter address. Bottom of bbl, under the ejector housing is marked with last 4-digist of matching SN. Left side of frame has 3-line patent dates and a small "U.S". Heel of the backstrap has 5 filed lines. Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip, with the no. "47-7" visible in the backstrap channel. Hand carved over this number are the initial "M.F.C." Left side of the grip has the outline of an "FH" (Capt. Frank Heath) inspector cartouche under an illegible date. Right side of the grip has outline of a "DFC" (David F. Clark) sub-inspector cartouche. Mr. Clarks initials are also found on bottom of frame, bottom of bbl and cylinder. The sub-inspector initials on the bottom edge of the grip have been obliterated by battering. This revolver was part of the 9th & 10th contracts 1884 & 1885. Large numbers of these revolvers were issued to the New York Militia and many others were converted to artillery configuration in the 1890's & early 20th century recalls where their bbls were reduced to 5-1/2". The mid-1880s was a period where the Indian wars were still being fought and it is possible that this revolver could have been issued to one of the front line cavalry units and used in the Indian wars. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very good. Overall retains traces of orig finish in the most sheltered areas with strong case colors and front gullets of frame, being mostly a gray metal patina; cylinder is matching patina as are the front and backstraps. Grip is sound with the aforementioned battering on the bottom edges, showing heavy wear with a hand worn patina. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 4-50542 JR100

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RARE COLT RIMFIRE SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

Lot # 1186 (Sale Order: 177 of 402)      

SN 235. Cal. 44 RF Henry. Usual configuration with 7-1/2" bbl, full front sight and 1-line script letter address. Bottom of bbl is marked with a tiny "44" and has matching SN under the ejector housing. Ejector housing is 1st type with bull's eye ejector rod head. Left shoulder of trigger guard has the caliber marking. Hammer is orig with rimfire firing pin secured with 2 rivets. Mounted with varnished 1-pc walnut grip that appears to have the faint matching number in the backstrap channel. Cylinder is also matching numbered and base pin is orig type with dimpled ends. Accompanied by a Colt Factory letter which identifies this revolver in cal. 44 rimfire, bbl length and type of stocks not listed, blue finish and shipped to Spies, Kissman & Co. NY, NY on Feb. 8, 1876 in a 12 gun shipment. According to Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Cochran, there were 1,863 single action revolvers produced in 44 RF caliber (including 107 caliber 22 revolvers) in the period 1875-1880 in a separate SN range beginning with #1. In about 1888 Colt converted the remaining 44 RF revolvers in stock to cal. 22. Colt had produced these revolvers to accommodate the owners of Henry and Winchester Model 1866 rifles, which utilized the same cartridge. Unfortunately the introduction of the Single Action in 44 RF nearly coincided with the advent of the repeating center fire rifles. Being an obsolete cartridge at the introduction, hampered sales which resulted in cancellation of this model. The vast majority of Single Action chambered in 44 RF were sold to Mexico and South America where the Henry and Winchester 1866 rifles were still in widespread use. In that environment, these revolvers usually saw very hard service with little or no maintenance and most often are found with cut bbls. So, finding one in orig configuration is quite rare. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very good. Orig finish remains only in the most sheltered areas being mostly a cleaned metal patina. Hammer retains strong case colors on the sides and rear edge. Grip is sound and showing moderate wear and retains about 85% orig varnish. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with shine in the groves and light pitting. 4-50681 JR92

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RARE SMALL BORE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

Lot # 1187 (Sale Order: 178 of 402)      

SN 1860. Cal. 22 RF. Blue & color case hardened, 7-1/2" bbl, altered front sight and 1-line block letter address. Left side of frame has 3-line patent dates and left front web of trigger guard is marked "22 CAL". Ejector housing is 3rd type with half moon ejector rod head. Bottom of bbl, under ejector housing, is marked with matching SN. Cyl is also matching numbered. Base pin is orig type with dimpled ends. Mounted with Rampant Colt & eagle 2-pc hard rubber grips. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter which identifies this revolver in 22 caliber with 7-1/2" bbl, blue finish, rubber grips and shipped to Schoverling, Daly & Gales, New York, NY on May 28, 1889 in a 1-gun shipment. There were only 107 of these rare revolvers produced by Colt 1875-1880 and were numbered in a special series with the 44 rimfire revolvers, which were all in the approx. serial range of 1-1800. This revolver appears to be one of the last produced. When the 44 RF revolvers stopped selling, Colt used the last rimfire frames and made 22 caliber revolvers out of them. These 22 caliber revolvers were not big sellers either and only this very few were produced. They were more of a novelty than something anyone would seriously use during that time frame. They are usually found in abused, poor condition, rarely with any orig finish. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Fine, all matching except grips which are unnumbered but appear to be orig to this revolver. Bbl retains 20-30% orig blue, mostly under & around the ejector housing with the balance a mottled gray/brown patina; ejector housing retains strong blue in the gullets with the outer radius a dark brown patina; frame is a dark brown patina with pitting around the forcing cone area; hammer retains strong case colors on the sides, turned dark on the edges; trigger guard & back strap retain blue in sheltered areas being mostly a brown patina; cyl is also a dark brown patina with a moderate drag line and fine pitting on front face. Grips are sound with a few scratches on bottom right edge and show light to moderate wear. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with good shine and sharp rifling. 4-50682 JR106

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EXTREMELY RARE COLT SMALL BORE SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

Lot # 1188 (Sale Order: 179 of 402)      

SN 135485. Cal. 22. Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2" bbl, altered front sight and 1-line block letter address with caliber marking on left side. Left side of frame has 2-line 3-patent dates and Rampant Colt in a circle. Mounted with Rampant Colt/Eagle hard rubber grips. Bottom of bbl, under ejector housing, is marked with a small "22". Accompanied by a Colt factory letter which identifies this revolver in cal. 22 rimfire with 7-1/2" bbl, blue finish, type of stocks not listed and shipped to Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co., Chicago, IL, for Ludington, Wells & Van Schark on Dec. 19, 1892 in a 2-gun shipment. Numerous publications show that there were 107 Single Actions in caliber 22 produced in the late 1880s, mostly from converted 44 rimfire frames. Out of the 1,863 revolvers made in 44 rimfire, either 90 or 93 (depending on which publication) of those frames were converted to 22. The other 14 or 17 cal. 22 revolvers were numbered in the regular serialization series, generally in the 135,000 range, such as found here. These caliber 22 Single Actions were generally not considered a real man's gun and so usually saw hard service with very little maintenance and are rarely found today in orig configuration with orig finish. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Fine. Bbl retains about 30% strong blue in sheltered areas around the front sight and ejector housing with the balance a purplish/brown patina; frame retains traces of case colors in sheltered areas being an overall silver/gray patina; cyl is mostly a blue/gray patina with dull blue in the flutes; trigger guard & backstrap are mostly a gray metal patina with blue in sheltered areas; grips show are sound and show moderate wear with the left side having turned chocolate. Hammer will not catch in half cock notch, otherwise mechanics are fine; strong bright bore with some fine frosting in the grooves. 4-50684 JR341

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EXTREMELY RARE SMALL BORE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

Lot # 1189 (Sale Order: 180 of 402)      

SN 1853. Cal. 22 RF. Nickel finish with blued screws, 7-1/2" bbl, altered front sight and 1-line block letter address. Left side of frame has 3-line patent dates and left front web of trigger guard & bottom of bbl are marked "22 CAL". Ejector housing is 3rd type with half moon ejector rod head. Base pin is orig type with dimpled ends. Mounted with 2-pc hard rubber rampant Colt & eagle grips. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter which identifies this revolver in 22 caliber with 7-1/2" bbl, nickel finish, rubber grips and shipped to Bandle Arms Co., Cincinnati, OH, on Feb. 21, 1889 in a 1-gun shipment. There were only 107 of these rare revolvers produced by Colt 1875-1880 and were numbered in a special series with the 44 rimfire revolvers which were all in the approx. serial range of 1-1800. This revolver appears to be one of the last produced, and may be the very last one. When the 44 RF revolvers stopped selling, Colt used the last rimfire frames and made 22 caliber revolvers out of them. These 22 caliber revolvers were not big sellers either and only this very few were produced. They were more of a novelty than something anyone would seriously use. Nickeled examples are extremely rare and those with orig finish are also very rare. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very fine. Overall retains about 90% strong orig nickel on the bbl, frame & grip frame with just about all the losses around the forcing cone area on the front part of the frame; trigger guard & back strap finish has turned a little milky with some fine pimpling on the front of the trigger plate; cyl retains 50-60% orig nickel with most of the losses around the front & front face; screws are very fine and retain most of their orig blue. Grips are sound showing light wear, turned light chocolate. Hammer is not solid in safety notch, otherwise mechanics are fine; dark bore with moderate pitting. 4-50683 JR104

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EXTREMELY RARE FACTORY ENGRAVED COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

Lot # 1190 (Sale Order: 181 of 402)      

SN 127099. Cal. 44 WCF (44-40). Nickel finish with 5-1/2" bbl, full front sight and 1-line block letter address with "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER." in an etched panel on the left side. Bottom of bbl is marked with a tiny "44". Left side of frame has 3 line patent dates and left front web of trigger bow is marked "44 CAL". Ejector housing is 3rd type with half moon ejector rod head. Mounted with exceptional 2-pc pearl grips with an outstanding raised carved flying American eagle and American shield on the right side. Revolver has full coverage New York style engraving on frame, probably from the L.D. Nimschke shop. Matching engraving patterns extend nearly full length of the bbl on each side with a triple border around the address terminating in fine foliate & arabesque patterns. Top of backstrap is engraved in Mr. Nimschke's typical large fan pattern with foliate arabesque patterns on the backstrap, buttstrap & trigger guard. Cylinder is engraved with foliate arabesque patterns on lands between the flutes and has an unusual chain border around the rear edge that has 6-pointed stars in each link. Hammer is nickel finished. Screws, trigger & base pin are fire blued. Base pin is orig type with dimpled ends. Accompanied by a Colt Factory letter which identifies this revolver in Cal. 44-40 with 5-1/2" bbl, nickel finish, pearl stocks with a "carved Mexican eagle motif", factory engraved and shipped to Western Arms & Cartridge Co. Chicago, Illinois on Aug. 23, 1888 in a one gun shipment. Also accompanied by a typed Bill of Sale for this revolver, transferring ownership to Tommy Rholes over the signature of Michael Eric Ecton of Blue Springs, Missouri. Additionally accompanying is a second Colt Factory letter dated March 4, 1969, with identical information to the previous factory letter addressed to Mr. W.F. Bradford of La Plata, Missouri. PROVENANCE: Michael Eric Eaton; W.F. Bradford; Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus, has been fired but very little. Overall retains about 98-99% strong orig nickel finish with slight dulling on the left side of the muzzle and tip of the ejector housing. Front face of cylinder has 2 or 3 small spots of flaking with light pitting under the grips. Screws retain most of their orig fire blue, showing wear on the trigger & lock bolt screws. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with scattered fine pitting. 4-50687 JR66

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FINE INSCRIBED HELFRICHT ENGRAVED COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

Lot # 1191 (Sale Order: 182 of 402)      

SN 160281. Cal. 44 WCF (44-40). Nickel finish with 5-1/2" bbl, full front sight and 1-line block letter address with "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER" roll marking on left side. Left side of frame has 2-line 3-patent dates and Rampant Colt in a circle. Mounted with outstanding, factory, 2-pc pearl grips with deep relief carved ox head on the right side. Revolver is engraved by Cuno Helfricht in about "C" coverage foliate arabesque patterns that have fine pearled background. Left recoil shield has Mr. Helfricht's trademarks fan pattern and the loading gate his typical starburst pattern. Top strap is engraved in snake and dot patterns which run down the back by the hammer slot. Foliate arabesque patterns extend up each side of the bbl with snake & dot patterns in top gullet and outer radius of ejector housing. Cylinder is engraved in alternating patterns on lands between flutes and has a snake and dot pattern around the rear edge. Top of back strap has Mr. Helfricht's starburst panel with geometric patterns down the backstrap, on the buttstrap and trigger guard. Center of backstrap is engraved in zigzag lettering, probably by the same hand who engraved the backstrap, "J.H. WEAVER". Accompanied by a Colt factory letter which identifies this revolver in Cal. 44-40 with 5-1/2" bbl, nickel finish, carved steer head pearl stocks, factory engraved and shipped to Simmons Hardware Co., St. Louis, MO, c/o Sellers & Cennally on Dec. 22,1894 in a 1-gun shipment. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Fine. Frame, bbl and ejector housing retain about 90% strong orig nickel, turning a little milky. Outer radius of ejector housing shows holster wear; backstrap, buttstrap and about half of the front strap are cleaned bright metal, as is most of the trigger bow & trigger plate; screws & base pin are fine and retain strong fire blue; cyl retains about 70% orig nickel with one area polished bright metal; right grip has a small chip in the heel otherwise grips are sound showing great fire. Mechanics are fine; bright shiny bore. 4-50688 JR335

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HELFRICHT ENGRAVED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH TEXAS ASSOCIATION.

Lot # 1192 (Sale Order: 183 of 402)      

SN 153161. Cal. 45 Colt. Nickel finish with 5-1/2" bbl, full front sight and 1-line block letter address with caliber marking on left side. Left side of frame has 2-line 3-patent dates and Rampant Colt in a circle. Mounted with 2-pc pearl grips with a raised carved stooping eagle on the right side. Revolver is engraved by Cuno Helfricht in about "C" plus coverage consisting of foliate arabesque patterns with pearled background on sides of the frame, sides of the bbl boss and extend over sides of the bbl. Left recoil shield and loading gate are engraved with Mr. Helfricht's deluxe fan pattern. Top strap, back edge of frame by hammer slot, top gullet & outer radius of ejector housing and rear edge of cyl are engraved with snake & dot patterns. Top of bbl, backstrap, buttstrap & trigger guard are engraved with geometric patters. Top of backstrap is engraved in Mr. Helfricht's fan patterns. Cyl is engraved in Mr. Helfricht's distinctive alternating patterns on lands between flutes. Screws & base pin are fire blued. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter which identifies this revolver in cal. 45 Colt, with 5-1/2" bbl, nickel finish, type of stocks not listed and factory engraved, shipped to Charles Hummell & son, San Antonio, TX, Aug. 29, 1893 in a 2-gun shipment. Undoubtedly this revolver and another (SN 153007), identically engraved and the other gun in this shipment were for the same individual, probably a local Texas rancher or wealthy person in Mexico. Given that this revolver has an American style eagle grip and the other a Mexican eagle grip, they could have been simply for close friends or business associates on each side of the border. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Fine. Overall retains about 50-60% milky orig nickel with the exposed metal a gray patina and some fine pin prick pitting on front sides of frame; cyl retains 60-65% orig nickel; grips have a few fine chips on the toes & heels, otherwise are sound and show great fire & iridescent color; hammer is not solid in the half cock notch, otherwise mechanics are fine; strong bore with light to moderate pitting. 4-50528 JR337

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HELFRICHT ENGRAVED COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH TEXAS ASSOCIATION.

Lot # 1193 (Sale Order: 184 of 402)      

SN 153007. Cal. 44 WCF (44-40). Nickel finish with 5-1/2" bbl, full front sight and 1-line block letter address with "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER" roll marking on left side. Left side of frame has 2-line 3-patent dates and Rampant Colt in a circle. Mounted with 2-pc pearl grips with a raised carved Mexican eagle on the right side. Revolver is engraved by Cuno Helfricht in about "C" plus coverage consisting of foliate arabesque patterns with pearled background on sides of the frame, sides of the bbl boss and extend over sides of the bbl. Left recoil shield and loading gate are engraved with Mr. Helfricht's deluxe fan patterns. Top strap, back edge of frame by hammer slot, top gullet & outer radius of ejector housing and rear edge of cyl are engraved with snake & dot patterns. Top of bbl, backstrap, buttstrap & trigger guard are engraved with geometric patters. Top of backstrap is engraved in Mr. Helfricht's fan pattern. Cyl is engraved in Mr. Helfricht's distinctive alternating patterns on lands between flutes. Screws are fire blued. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter which identifies this revolver in cal. 44-40, with 5-1/2" bbl, nickel finish, type of stocks not listed and factory engraved, shipped to Charles Hummell & son, San Antonio, TX, Aug. 29, 1893 in a 2-gun shipment. Undoubtedly this revolver and another (SN 153161), identically engraved and the other gun in this shipment were for the same individual, probably a local Texas rancher or wealthy person in Mexico. Given that this revolver has an Mexican eagle grip and the other an American style eagle grip, they could have been simply for close friends or business associates on each side of the border. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Fine. Overall retains about 50-60% orig nickel turning milky with the exposed metal a gray patina and some fine pin prick pitting on front sides of frame; cyl retains about 30% orig nickel; grips have a chipped left toe, otherwise are sound and show great fire & iridescent colors; hammer is not solid in the half cock notch, otherwise mechanics are fine; strong bore with moderate to heavy pitting. 50528-1 JR338

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FINE ENGRAVED COLT SA ARMY REVOLVER WITH TEXAS HISTORY INSCRIBED "FROM THE BOYS 1895" (POSSIBLY TO J

Lot # 1194 (Sale Order: 185 of 402)      

SN 163605. Cal 45 Colt. Silver finish with 4-3/4" bbl, full front sight and 2-line address with cal. marking on the left side. Left side of frame has 2-line 3 patent dates and Rampant Colt in a circle. Mounted with smooth 2-pc pearl grips. Revolver is deluxe engraved by Cuno Helfricht with about full coverage foliate arabesque patterns on the frame including Mr. Helfricht's trademark flower blossoms on the recoil shield & loading gate. Front gullets of the frame also have his trademark patterns. Top strap is engraved in snake & dot patterns. Foliate arabesque patterns extend nearly full length over sides of bbl with fine snake & dot patterns around the address & geometric patterns all the way to the muzzle. Top radius of the ejector housing is engraved in snake & dot patterns with full length geometric & floral patterns on the outer radius. Top of backstrap has Mr. Helfricht's deluxe fan pattern with geometric patterns down the back strap, on the butt strap & trigger guard. Center of the backstrap is engraved in block letters "From the Boys 1895". Cylinder is also deluxe engraved with foliate arabesque patterns on lands between the flutes, a snake & dot pattern with other border patterns around the rear edge and most unusual, fully shaded panels around the stop notches. Accompanied by a Colt Factory letter which identifies this revolver in cal. 45 Colt with 4-3/4" bbl, silver finish, pearl grips, factory engraved and inscribed "From The Boys 1895" on the back strap and shipped to H.S. Bettes Hardware Co. Paris, Texas December 20, 1895 in a one gun shipment. Also accompanied by a large packet of information including a copy of a letter dated 11, October 1988 over the signature of H.H. Miller wherein he documents this revolver back to 1950. Mr. Miller states that a gentleman named Lee Greenly of Manitou Springs, Colorado purchased this revolver who related that it had been ordered by several citizens of Mount Pleasant Texas, Titus County, as a gift to a Judge in that area who was thought to be John L. Sheppard who was Judge of the 5th district and had presided over court cases in Mt. Pleasant. It was thought that the gift was in relation to his resigning from the bench in 1896 to enter politics to run for the U.S. Congress, and was elected. Judge Sheppard died in Hot Springs, AR in 1902. Mr. Miller states that in 1952 this revolver was obtained by A.E. Dyer, a rancher and later County Judge of Callahan County Texas. It remained in Judge Callahan's collection until 1988 when he apparently agreed to sell it to Mr. Miller. Since that time Mr. Miller has spent considerable effort attempting to document Judge Sheppard's activities and life. Judge Sheppard's brief biography appears on pg 238 of History of Titus County Texas, Russell. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very fine. Overall retains nearly all of its restored silver finish, showing light wear and scattered fine pitting under the new finish. Grips have chipped left toe & heel & chipped right heel, otherwise are sound showing great fire & color. Hammer is not solid in safety or half cock notches, otherwise mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore; base pin is a replacement. 4-50752 JR71

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*FINE ENGRAVED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH KANSAS ASSOCIATION.

Lot # 1195 (Sale Order: 186 of 402)      

SN 185132. Cal. 38 WCF (38-40). Nickel finish with 4-3/4" bbl, full front sight and 2-line address with cal. marking on left side. Left side of frame has 2-line 3-patent dates and Rampant Colt in circle. Mounted with 2-pc pearl grips with a raised carved ox head on right side. Revolver is beautifully engraved in New York style, possibly from the Cuno Helfricht shop with about "D" coverage on the frame that has fine pearled background. Matching engraving is on each side of the bbl boss with a flower blossom on the ejector boss. Top strap is engraved with a double rope pattern. Matching foliate arabesque patterns extend nearly full length on each side of the bbl with elaborate geometric patterns on top. Top of backstrap is engraved with a very detailed fan pattern that has a "V" center. Backstrap & buttstrap are engraved with geometric patterns and the trigger bow with matching foliate arabesque patterns. Cyl is engraved with foliate arabesque patterns on lands between flutes and has elaborate border patterns around the rear edge. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter which identifies this revolver in cal. 38-40 with 4-3/4" bbl, nickel finish, pearl-ox head stocks, factory engraved and shipped to Louis Earhardt c/o J.A. Rose Atchison, KS on Jan. 2,1900 in a 1-gun shipment. Also accompanied by a copy of pp. 104-105 from the 1899-1900 Atchison, KS city directory which lists Louis Earhardt as Louis Earhardt & Co. on Commercial St. Additionally accompanied by a double loop, lightly decorated right hand holster for 5-1/2" Single Action. Holster has a large cartouche at the top marked "L. Kiper & Sons / Makers / Atchison, Kas." Both top & bottom loops have the hand carved brand that appears to be JF Bar brand along with the number "15". Belt is an unmarked money belt about 38" long by 3" wide made of 1-pc pebble grain leather, folded and sewn at the top with nickeled steel, rectangular buckle. Belt has 32 large cal., sewn-on cartridge loops. With shipment of this revolver to Kansas at the turn of the 20th century when that area was still fairly wild lends credence to the thought that this revolver might have been used by someone in law enforcement. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Good to very good. Overall retains 30-35% orig nickel showing light use with holster wear on the muzzle and ejector housing tip; nickel on the front & back straps has turned milky; cyl retains traces of orig nickel being mostly a dark brown patina; right grip has a chipped heel and a chip at the frame with an age line, and shows light to moderate wear. Mechanics are fine; strong bore with scattered pitting. Holster shows moderate to heavy wear with an open rear seam and a hand stitched closed toe, but overall is strong & serviceable. Belt shows heavy wear with and open seam and is supple with a number of detached cartridge loops. 4-50673 JR343

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SCARCE COLT SHERIFF'S MODEL SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

Lot # 1196 (Sale Order: 187 of 402)      

SN 154042. Cal. 32 WCF (32-20). Blue & color case hardened with 4" bbl, full front sight and 2-line address with caliber marking on left side. Left side of frame has 2-line 3-patent dates and Rampant Colt in a circle. Mounted with Rampant Colt hard rubber grips that have last four digits of matching serial number inside each grip. Right grip has turned chocolate. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter which states that they were unable to locate any information in the factory records about this revolver "however, serial numbers 154040 to 154054 were shipped as Sheriff's Models with the exception of 154042 and 154045". According to Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Cochran, he estimates that there were about 1,000 Sheriff's Model Single Action revolvers produced over the entire production run. Mr. Cochran states that he had examined 167 Sheriff's Model revolvers and extrapolating the numbers based on the assumed total production of 1,000, shows that 3.25% or 32 of the production were in caliber 32-20 and that 49.35% or 494 revolvers had 4" bbls. He also estimates that about 60% or 600 revolvers had standard black powder frames and that 70.73% or 707 revolvers were blue & color case hardened finish. Regardless, this is an extraordinarily rare revolver in this high condition. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus. Bbl retains about 98% glossy orig blue with only muzzle edge wear and some very faint scratches on the right side; frame & hammer retain about 95-96% orig case colors, brilliant in sheltered areas, lightly faded on top strap and loading gate, moderately faded on outer radius of left recoil shield; cyl retains about 90% strong orig blue with a series of fine scratches, probably from being cocked in the holster; cyl also shows sharp edge wear and a light drag line; trigger guard and backstrap retain about 85% orig blue, strong & bright on the trigger plate, top of the backstrap & buttstrap; front & back strap show light flaking & wear; grips are sound, showing little or no wear. Mechanics are crisp; brilliant shiny bore. 4-50672 JR339

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EXTRAORDINARILY RARE ENGRAVED COLT SHERIFF'S MODEL SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

Lot # 1197 (Sale Order: 188 of 402)      

SN 149805. Cal. 41 Colt. Blue & color case hardened with 5" bbl, full front sight and 1-line block letter address with caliber marking on the left side. Bottom of bbl is marked "41" under the base pin. Left side of frame has 2-line 3 patent date and Rampant Colt in a circle. Mounted with smooth 2-pc pearl grips that are probably not orig to this revolver. Revolver is deluxe engraved by Cuno Helfricht with about full coverage foliate arabesque patterns on the frame and his trademark flower blossom patterns on the recoil shield & loading gate. Top strap has snake & dot patterns with other typical Helfricht patterns in the front gullets of frame. Engraving patterns extend up both sides of the bbl with snake & dot border around the address. Top of back strap is engraved with Mr. Helfricht's fan pattern and geometric patterns down the back strap, on the butt strap & trigger guard. Cylinder is engraved in typical alternating Helfricht patterns on the lands between the flutes with snake & dot patterns around the rear edge. Base pin is a period of use replacement. Accompanied by a very unusual, late 1800s period black Moroccan leather, doe skin lined small holster that fits this revolver perfectly. Right outside of the holster is fitted with a spring clip riveted to the holster. Also accompanied by a letter dated June 21,1994 to Mr. David Jackson of Dallas, TX over the signature of Martha Ann Reading of Dallas, TX. She states that this revolver, identified by caliber, was used by Mr. Albert A. Kochan when he was a brand inspector at the Houston Stockyards and she speculates he was a city marshal at that time. She states he later lived in Richmond, TX where he died in the 1940s and is buried there. She states that the accompanying holster was his original utility holster which he wore inside the waistband of his pants. The last paragraph, in part states "Mr. Albert was my husbands grandfather and was very proud of that particular gun--". Additionally accompanied by 2 Colt Factory letters, each advising Mr. Rholes that there was no record of this revolver. According Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Cochran there were an estimated 1000 single action sheriffs model revolvers produced in the period 1882-1911. Of that number he estimates that 350 had standard black powder frames and only about 8 had barrels longer than 4 inches. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Fine. Bbl retains 70-75% orig blue turning plum on the right side with a few scattered spots of light pitting toward the muzzle. Frame & grip frame retain traces of orig finish in the most sheltered areas being mostly a plum/brown patina. Cylinder is matching patina. Grips are sound with great fire & color. Grip locator pin is a replacement. Hammer is not solid in safety notch, otherwise mechanics are fine. Bright shiny bore with scattered fine pitting. Holster shows heavy wear with some stitching losses around the edges. It appears that this holster was made for a 4" bbl but it is extremely evident that this revolver has been used in this holster extensively. The toe is open showing heavy wear in the correct areas around the toe. 4-50691 JR68

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RARE COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER SHERIFF'S MODEL SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER SHIPPED TO SAN FRANCISCO.

Lot # 1198 (Sale Order: 189 of 402)      

SN 145306. Cal. 44 WCF (44-40). Blue and color case hardened with 3-1/2" bbl. Full front sight and 2-line address with "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER" roll marked on the left side. Bottom of the bbl, under base pin is marked with a tiny 44 and last 4 digits of matching serial number. Left side of frame has 2-line 3 patent dates and Rampant Colt in a circle. Mounted with 2-pc Rampant Colt hard rubber grips numbered to another revolver. Bottom edges of the grips are hand-carved "J C". Accompanied by a Colt Factory letter which identifies this revolver in caliber 44-40 with 3-1/2" bbl, blue finish, type of stock not listed and shipped to The Colt Company, San Francisco Agency, San Francisco, CA on May 18, 1892 in a 4 gun shipment. According to Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Cochran there was an estimated 1,000 Sheriff's model revolvers made out of the approximately 357,000 Single Action revolvers produced by Colt. Mr. Cochran estimates that there were about 305 Sheriff's model revolvers made with 3-1/2" bbls and that about 18% (180) total produced in cal 44-40. Extrapolating those numbers 30% of the production having 3-1/2" bbls results in only approximately 60 revolvers produced with 3-1/2" bbls in cal 44-40 making this a very rare revolver. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Overall retains traces of orig finish in sheltered areas being mostly a smooth, even, blue/gray metal patina. Cylinder retains plummy/blue in the flutes with matching patina on the outer diameter. Hammer is silvered case colors. Grips are sound, showing moderate wear. Hammer is not solid in safety notch, otherwise mechanics are fine. Strong bore with scattered pitting. 4-50745 JR73

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*LOT OF THREE FIREARMS, WATCHES, PHOTOGRAPHS & EPHEMERA THAT BELONGED TO TEXAS RANGER & COUNTY SHERI

Lot # 1199 (Sale Order: 190 of 402)      

1) Colt Single Action Army. SN 151191. Cal. 45 Colt. Nickel finish with 4-3/4" bbl, slightly altered front sight and 2-line address with caliber marking on left side. Left side of frame has 2-line 3-patent dates and Rampant Colt in a circle. Mounted with smooth 2-pc pearl grips. Revolver is engraved by Cuno Helfricht with about "C" coverage foliate arabesque patterns on the frame and his fan patterns on recoil shield and loading gate. Top strap is engraved in snake & dot patterns and foliate arabesque patterns extend about 3/4 of the length on each side of the bbl. Ejector housing is engraved with snake & dot patterns in top gullet and outer radius. Cyl is typically engraved in Mr. Helfricht's sunburst patterns on lands between flutes with snake & dot pattern around rear edge. Top of backstrap is engraved in a fan pattern with geometric patterns down the backstrap, on buttstrap & trigger guard. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter which identifies this revolver in caliber 45 Colt with 4-3/4" bbl, nickel finish, pearl grips, factory engraved and shipped to J.F. Schmelzer & Sons, Kansas City, Kansas on Nov. 28, 1893 in a 2-gun shipment. 2) Smith & Wesson Hand Ejector DA Revolver. SN 585252. Cal. 38 Spcl. Blue finish with 5" bbl and fixed sights. Mounted with 2-pc pearl grips that have deep relief carved eagle with red stone eye on right side. Right sideplate is jeweler engraved, through the blue, "LEE QUEEN. / CHANNING / TEX". Accompanied by a tooled brown leather holster. 3) Winchester Model 1894 Saddle Ring Carbine. SN 585069. Cal. 30 WCF (30-30). Standard carbine with 20" bbl, full magazine, square base front sight and 3-leaf carbine express rear sight. Receiver has a stud & ring. Mounted with uncheckered gum wood with straight stock & carbine buttplate. This lot is accompanied by a large volume of printed material relating to Ranger Queen. Robert Lee Queen was born Sept. 1869 in Williamson County, Texas and grew up near Round Rock. He moved to the Amarillo area as a child and in 1893 joined the Texas Rangers and served until 1897. After that he ranched and became a cattle inspector. In 1902 he was elected Sheriff of Hartley County and served a total of seven terms, nearly twenty years in two different sessions. He died in 1933. Among this large volume of material are several originals & copies of photographs of Ranger Queen and some of his company of Rangers. Included is a notarized statement from Tom O. Collins who states that he is the grandson of Lee Queen and that the firearms being sold here belonged to his grandfather which he used as a Ranger and Sheriff. Also included is a notarized letter from Atty. Rick McGarrey who states that the Colt Single Action being sold here belonged to his grandfather and was used during his term as a Ranger. Additionally included is an Elgin 18 size, silverode cased pocket watch that belonged to Lee Queen and a 14 kt. 3-color gold Hampton lady's hunter case watch that belonged to his wife, Maggie Queen, that was sold to Mr. Rhodes by Virginia Queen Ayers, their daughter, signed receipt included. Additionally accompanying is the miniature badge of Ralph Queen, Lee Queen's son, who succeeded him as Hartley County Sheriff and a campaign matchbook for Ralph Queen. Also accompanying is an unmarked cartridge/money belt, 36" x 2-3/8" with nickeled cut-corner steel buckle and forty 45 caliber cartridge loops, two of which are broken and contain thirty-one 45 caliber cartridges. And finally accompanied by a bronze statue of a western man wearing a cowboy hat & boots with gun belt & Bowie knife reloading his Colt revolver. It is titled "Lee Queen / COMPANY B TEXAS RANGER". Artist signature is indecipherable but this statue is 1/10. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: 1) Very good to fine. Overall retains 50-60% orig nickel showing heavy holster wear on left side of muzzle and tip of ejector housing with heavy wear on front of cylinder; loss areas are a gray metal patina; screws are fine and retain most of their orig fire blue, turned a little dark. Grips are fine and may be old replacements. Hammer is not solid in half cock notch, otherwise mechanics are fine, strong bore with moderate pitting. 2) Fair to good. Overall retains 50-60% dull orig blue showing heavy holster wear on bbl & cyl. Right grip has chipped heel & toe with chipped heel on left grip and another chip at the frame and show great fire & iridescent colors. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. Holster is fine. 3) Good. Bbl & magazine tube retain about 85% orig blue; receiver retains traces of orig blue being mostly a worn gray metal patina. Forearm has 3 gouges and the stock a few more and overall retains a hand worn patina. Mechanics are fine, strong dark bore. Pocket watches appear to be running as of this writing. Badge is fine. Cartridge belt shows moderate to heavy wear with crackled finish and worn tongue billet. Ammunition is oxidized. Bronze is extremely fine. 4-50653, 4-50654, 4-50655

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VERY RARE SHERIFF'S MODEL COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

Lot # 1200 (Sale Order: 191 of 402)      

SN 159325. Cal. 38 WCF (38-40). Blue & color case hardened with 3" bbl, slightly reduced front sight and 2-line address with caliber marking on left side. Bottom of bbl is marked with a tiny "41" under the base pin, which is the actual bore diameter of the 38-40 caliber bullet. Left side of frame has 2-line 3-patent dates and Rampant Colt in a circle. Frame is referred to as "sharp type". Mounted with after market, period of use 2-pc pearl grips with raised carved ox head on the right side. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter which identifies this revolver in Cal. 38-40 with 3" bbl, blue finish, rubber stocks and shipped to Colt's San Francisco agency on April 17, 1895 in a 1-gun shipment. Also accompanied by an orig period of use single loop holster made for a 3" revolver and marked on the loop "S.C. GALLUP SAD. CO. / PUEBLO". Holster is nicely tooled with a sewn toe and rear edge. Additionally accompanied by a pair of orig Rampant Colt hard rubber grips marked on the inside with the partial serial number "8942". According to Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Cochran, there were approximately 1,000 Sheriff's Model Single Actions out of the more than 357,000 revolvers produced between 1873-1940. Mr. Cochran states that he examined 167 Sheriff's Model revolvers and that extrapolating the various calibers, bbl lengths and frame styles against the estimated 1,000 produced, he estimates 58 revolvers were with 3" bbls and that 65 were in cal. 38-40. He additionally shows that there were about 350 revolvers with sharp frames. It is quite evident from the wear and lack of finish that this revolver was carried extensively, probably by a lawman out west. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Revolver is fine, plus. Overall retains traces of blue at the bbl root, otherwise metal is a smooth, medium patina showing light muzzle end wear with holster wear on the bbl; grips have a couple small chips, otherwise are sound with great fire & light iridescent colors. Mechanics are fine; strong bright bore with scattered pitting. Holster has a break in the rear edge, otherwise is sound, showing moderate to heavy wear and retains about 75% orig brown finish; rubber grips are fine. 4-50692 JR336

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IMPORTANT COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER AND RIG BELONGING TO DEPUTY U.S. MARSHALL HENRY SPENCE MI

Lot # 1201 (Sale Order: 192 of 402)      

SN 163113. Cal. 38 WCF (38-40). Blue & color case hardened with 5-1/2" bbl, full front sight and 1-line block letter address with caliber marking on the left side. Left side of frame has 2-line 3-patent dates and Rampant Colt in a broken circle. Bottom of bbl is marked with a tiny "41" (actual bore diameter for caliber 38-40) under the base pin. Mounted with 2-pc smooth pearl grips. Backstrap is engraved in period script, probably by a local jeweler, "H. Miller". Henry Spence Miller was born in 1859 in Clay County, Missouri, one of five brothers in that family. One of the brothers, Clelland Miller, became very famous or rather infamous, as a member of the James Gang and was killed Sept. 7, 1876 by a medical student named Henry Wheeler. From all reports Henry Spence Miller was also fairly wild but did not cross the line against the law. He became Assistant U.S. Marshall for the District of Western Missouri in 1893, a position he apparently held for about four years. Accompanied by a notarized statement from Christopher Riley Wise who states that he is the great-grandson of Henry Spence Miller and lists seven items that were the property of his great-grandfather. Included in this inventory is this revolver, identified by serial number, Deputy Marshall Miller's gold badge, 16 orig photographs of outlaws captured by Marshall Miller, a gun belt & holster, a leather covered blackjack, a wrist cuff and a small metal savings bank, all of which are included in this lot. Additionally accompanying is a Colt factory letter which identifies this revolver in caliber 38-40 with 5-1/2" bbl, blue finish, type of stocks not listed and shipped to Schoverling, Daly & Gales, New York, NY on Oct. 1, 1895 in a 1-gun shipment. Also accompanying is an orig parchment deed for the sale of property in Clay County, Missouri in the name of Moses Miller, Henry Spence Miller's father, dated 1835 and bearing the Seal of the United States and the signature of President Andrew Jackson in two places. Additionally accompanying is a notarized Bill of Sale over the signature of Christopher R. Wise, selling this lot of merchandise to Tommy Rholes. Also accompanying is the Jan. 1954 issue of The Texas Gun Collector (the official publication of the Texas Gun Collectors Association) which includes a 4-page article about James S. Wise, the father of Christopher, and part of his firearms collections. The photographs, blackjack, wrist cuff & bank (with key) are self explanatory and the revolver has been described above. Badge appears to be about 14 karat gold, made of two flat pieces with the top bar about 1-1/2" long x 3/8" wide marked "DEPUTY". Suspended from two 4-link chains is a small shield 1-5/8" x 1-3/8" marked "U.S. / MARSHALL / WESTERN DIST. / MISSOURI" with some light engraved decorations. The belt & holster rig are made of fine tooled leather consisting of a single loop mail-order holster with Cheyenne plug that is highly decorated. Belt is also mail order, made of 1-pc soft leather, sewn at the top, in money belt style with nickeled steel rectangular buckle, about 4" x 3", that has been trimmed on the tongue end with the tongue reattached. Belt has 40 sewn-on cartridge loops which contain twelve 38-40 cartridges. All together this lot is very inclusive of part of what would have been worn & carried by a U.S. Marshall in the late 1800s. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Revolver is fine. Bbl retains 75-80% glossy orig blue with most of the loss areas flaked, not worn, to a medium/dark patina, shows holster wear around the muzzle and left side; ejector housing retains about 40% orig blue showing wear on the outer radius and flaking in the top gullet; frame retains 60-70% orig case colors, bright in the front gullets, faded elsewhere, thin and turning silver on recoil shield, loading gate & top strap; hammer retains bright case colors, turned dark on top edge; cyl retains about 85-88% glossy orig blue with sharp edge wear and a medium cyl line; trigger guard & backstrap retain strong blue in sheltered areas being mostly a dark brown patina. Grips are sound showing great fire. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with a few small spots of pitting. Blackjack retains about 50% orig brown finish with broken wrist strap; wrist cuff retains traces of orig nickel being mostly a brown patina; bank retains most of its orig nickel; holster shows light wear and retains most orig finish; belt shows moderate wear with a few damaged and reattached cartridge loops; photos are yellowed & faded; badge is extremely fine. 4-50661 JR490

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COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH DOCUMENTED TEXAS HISTORY.

Lot # 1202 (Sale Order: 193 of 402)      

SN 74675. Cal. 45 Colt. Nickel finish with 7-1/2" bbl, slightly thinned front sight and 1-line block letter address. Left side of frame has 3-line patent dates and left front web of trigger guard has the caliber marking. Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip with last four digits of matching SN in back strap channel. Ejector housing is 3rd type with half moon ejector rod head and base pin appears to be orig with dimpled ends. Accompanied by a period single loop full coverage holster with light border decorations & a Cheyenne plug with the maker's cartouche "KINSEY, BRO'S / MONTAGUE, TEX.". Also accompanied by a Colt factory letter identifying this revolver in caliber 45 Colt, bbl length & type of stocks not listed, nickel finish, shipped to J.P. Moores Sons, New York, NY, Dec. 7, 1881 in a 10-gun shipment. Additionally accompanied by a copy of The Rampant Colt, Spring 2006 issue, which contains a 2-page article by Mr. Rholes about this revolver & rig. Also accompanied by the tally book of J.W. Rees of Montague, TX. According to Mr. Rholes' article Jacob Walker Rees moved from Virginia in June 1882 and began work as ranch foreman for William Watson. In July 1882 he then went to work for Granwill Graham at $30 per month. On Oct. 8, 1882 Mr. Rees notes in the tally book that he began working as ranch foreman for C.C. Rumrill at $40 per month. Mr. Rumrill apparently owned three large ranches in Texas & Oklahoma Indian territory. Mr. Rees apparently worked only about a year before returning to Virginia where he resumed farming and died in 1919. His tally book lists a large variety of entries for everyday life of a rancher in Texas regarding simple purchases for tools & supplies and salaries paid to his employees. The last entry in the tally book is June 1883. Additionally accompanied by letters from Miss Martha W. Rees of Winchester, VA, the granddaughter of Jacob Walker Rees. She simply informs Mr. Rholes and two other individuals that she has no additional information regarding her grandfather beyond where he was born & died, that he had passed away before she was born. Miss Martha Walker Rees apparently sold the farm along with this revolver, holster, belt & ledger book at a small auction on Aug. 6, 2005. The belt, an unmarked money belt, has been separated from the holster and is currently unknown. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: About good. Bbl retains 65-70% orig nickel with some fine pimpling; frame retains 25-30% orig nickel; trigger guard & front strap retain traces of orig nickel while the back strap & butt strap retain about 50% nickel; cylinder retains 50-60% orig nickel and the ejector housing 60-70% nickel; all loss areas are a very dark brown patina. Grip shows moderate to heavy edge wear with nicks & scratches and retains about 90% factory varnish on left side and 65-70% varnish on right side. Hammer is not solid in half cock notch, otherwise mechanics are fine; strong bore with good shine & fine pitting. Holster is sound with harness rivet repairs showing light wear and retaining about 75-80% orig brown finish. Tally book leather cover shows heavy wear & fading; interior pages are yellowed with worn corners but most writing still legible. 4-50674 JR79

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SCARCE COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH COLORADO HISTORY.

Lot # 1203 (Sale Order: 194 of 402)      

SN 140777. Cal. 44 WCF (44-40). Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2" bbl, full front sight and 1-line block letter address with "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER" roll marking on left side. Bottom of bbl & left front web of trigger guard are stamped with a tiny "44". Left side of frame has 2-line 3-patent dates and rampant Colt in a circle. Mounted with rampant Colt 2-pc hard rubber grips. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter which identifies this revolver in caliber 44-40 with 7-1/2" bbl, blue finish, type of stocks not listed, shipped H.M. Bostwick, Denver, CO on May 20, 1891 in a 2-gun shipment. Page 114 of Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Volume II, Cochran, lists H.M. Bostwick as a Detective, Denver, Colorado, 1891-1898, and shows that he ordered a Colt Bisley target revolver SN 171328 in caliber 38 Colt on Jan. 13, 1898. While roll-marked Frontier Six Shooters are not uncommon, it is very rare to fine any Single Action revolver identified from the factory to a specific individual,especially a law enforcement officer. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbl retains about 95% glossy orig blue with light muzzle end wear, a couple of small nicks & scrapes; ejector housing also retains about 95% glossy orig blue; frame retains about 75-80% orig case colors, very bright in front gullets and strong on right side, a little more faded on left side, mostly turned silver on recoil shield; hammer retains about 75% strong colors; trigger guard retains strong blue with front strap thin blue; back strap & butt strap retain strong blue in sheltered areas being mostly gray on back strap; cyl retains strong blue in the flutes with about 70-75% thin orig blue on outer diameter with a light drag line and a couple of chemical spots. Grips are sound showing light wear, having turned chocolate; screws retain most of their orig fire blue. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 4-50709 JR84

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EXTREMELY RARE COLT FLAT TOP TARGET SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH EXTENDED GRIP.

Lot # 1204 (Sale Order: 195 of 402)      

SN 144729. Cal. 450 Eley. All blue finish with 7-1/2" bbl, blued target front sight with 1-line Hartford and "DEPOT 14 PALL MALL LONDON" address and caliber marking on left side. Frame is flat top style with fixed target rear sight, left side of frame has 2-line 3 patent dates and Rampant Colt in the circle. Mounted with extremely rare, diamond checkered, extra long walnut grips that are matching numbered to this revolver. Toe & heel of grip frame are sharp versus the rounded configuration usually found in order to accommodate the extended grip without leaving a gap. Bore has Metford rifling. Bottom of bbl and cylinder have tiny British proofs. Accompanied by its orig green baize lined English oak casing that has an empty medallion in the lid and a "J.H. CRANE" paper distributor label inside the lid. Bottom is compartmented for the revolver with several non-orig tools, plus an "L" shaped Colt semi-auto pistol screwdriver. Left center of the bottom has a cartridge block with spaces for 42 cartridges. Also accompanied by a Colt Factory letter which identifies this revolver in cal. 450 with 7-1/2" bbl, blue finish, extra long wood stocks and shipped to Colt's London agency, June 1892 in a 1 gun shipment. According to Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Cochran, out of the approximate 357,000 single actions produced there were 914 flat-top target revolvers and only about 50 of these had the extended grip. The chart on pg 174 of the referenced publication shows only 84 flattop single actions were produced in cal. 450 Eley. Extrapolating those numbers discloses that only about 9% of the total flat-top production was in cal. 450 Eley. On pg 251 of the referenced publication, Mr. Cochran states that he had examined 10 long-grip revolvers of which 4 were in cal. 450 Eley, and only 2 had the London address. This exact revolver, identified by SN in pictures on pg. 250 and 251 of the reference publication. Regardless, this is an exceptionally rare Colt Single Action revolver. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbl retains 88-90% glossy orig blue with 3 spots of flaking and some scrape marks on the bottom adjacent to the base pin; ejector housing retains about 60% strong orig blue, showing wear on the outer radius; frame retains about 50% orig blue with the balance having mostly flaked to a medium patina, showing wear on the recoil shield and loading gate; trigger guard retains blue in sheltered areas with the front strap and back strap a blue/brown patina; buttstrap retains about 90% glossy orig blue; cylinder retains strong blue in the flutes, flaked and thinning on the outer diameter with a light drag line. Grips are very fine showing light diamond point wear and retain most of their orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with a few scattered spots of pitting. Case has a couple of cracks and is missing a couple of splinters on the bottom, otherwise is sound; interior is lightly faded and soiled; accessories are all fine. 4-50756 JR91

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EXTRAORDINARILY RARE COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER FLAT TOP TARGET SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH 9" B

Lot # 1205 (Sale Order: 196 of 402)      

SN 130266. Cal. 44 WCF (44-40). All blue finish with the one and only 9" barrel ever found on a target model Single Action. It has German silver target front sight and 1-line block letter address with "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER" roll marked on the left side. Bottom of the bbl, under ejector housing is marked with a tiny "44". Frame is flat top style with target rear sight in the top strap and three patent dates on the left front side. Left front web of trigger guard is marked "44 CAL". Buttstrap has a factory lanyard swivel & ring. Mounted with Rampant Colt / Eagle hard rubber grips. Top of bbl and face of cyl are marked with small British proofs. The location of these proofs is most unusual, as they are usually found on the side of the bbl & cyl in the flutes. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter which lists this revolver in Cal. 44-40 with 9" bbl, blue finish and rubber grips, shipped to Schoverling, Daley & Gales, NY, NY on Sept. 17, 1889 in a 1-gun shipment. Also accompanied by a 2-page letter from renown Colt researcher, historian and author, R.L. Wilson, wherein he verifies most of the information above plus stating that this revolver is the only one listed in the Colt records with a 9" bbl. Mr. Wilson also states that one of the more well known owners of this revolver was the John B. Solley, III collection. Additionally accompanied by a letter from Arnold Marcus Chernoff to someone who apparently purchased this revolver from him. He states that this is the only known flat top Single Action target model with factory 9" bbl. He also states that this revolver was originally in the Solley Collection and was traded to R.L. Wilson in about 1982. Mr. Chernoff states that he purchased it from Mr. Wilson. This revolver is pictured in a group shot on p. 193 of The Colt Heritage, Wilson. And finally, accompanied by an orig black leatherette covered, green felt lined casing that has nickelled hardware in front and a carrying handle. Inside the bottom is compartmented for the revolver and has a wire handle cleaning brush. Right center has a cartridge block containing 42 "WRACO" headstamped cartridges with small copper primers. The style of case is contemporary to the revolver and may have been supplied by Colt. According to Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Cochran, only 917 Single Action revolvers were produced, out of which only 21 were in Cal. 44-40 and this is the only one with 9" bbl. Mr. Cochran states that only 11 revolvers had a bbl length other than 7-1/2", all of which he lists on p.176 showing this serial number in Cal. 44-40 with 9" bbl and Eagle grips. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Bbl retains strong blue in the most sheltered areas being mostly a plummy/blue patina with a cleaned area about mid-point and showing wear on the left side; frame has a couple of screwdriver oops scratches on the left side and overall retains 60-70% thinning orig blue, stronger in sheltered areas; cyl is a plummy patina as are the trigger guard, front & back straps; grips are sound and show moderate wear, turning slightly chocolate on the left side. Hammer is not solid in safety notch, otherwise mechanics are fine; bright shiny bore with scattered fine pitting. Case is very fine showing light corner wear and overall retains about all of its orig finish. Interior is heavily faded but sound with intact partitions. Ammunition is fine. 4-50755 JR332

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SCARCE COLT FLAT TOP TARGET SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

Lot # 1206 (Sale Order: 197 of 402)      

SN 162889. Cal. 38 WCF (38-40). All blue finish with 7-1/2" bbl, German silver target front sight and 1-line block letter address with caliber marking on left side. Frame is flat top target style with fixed target rear sight and has 2-line 3-patent dates on the left side with rampant Colt in a circle. Mounted with 2-pc rampant Colt hard rubber grips that have last four digits of matching SN inside each grip. This revolver is somewhat unusual in that it is not British proofed as most of this model are found today. According to Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Cochran, only 914 revolvers of this configuration were made out of the more than 357,000 Single Action revolvers produced 1873-1940. According to the chart on p. 174 of referenced publication only 19 of the 914 revolvers made were in caliber 38-40, making this one of the more rare flat top target Single Actions. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Fine, all matching except cyl which is properly unnumbered. Bbl retains about 85% glossy orig blue with wear on both sides of muzzle and a few fine scratches elsewhere; frame retains 88-90% orig blue with sharp edge wear, a wear spot on top strap and most of the losses on recoil shield & loading gate; hammer retains faded case colors; trigger guard & back strap retain strong blue in sheltered areas being mostly gray patina; cyl retains 85-90% orig blue, strong in the flutes, showing edge wear, a drag line and thinning on outer diameter. Left grip has a chip at the heel and overall they show heavy wear, turning a little chocolate. Hammer will not catch in safety or half cock notches, otherwise mechanics are fine; bright shiny bore with a few scattered spots of very fine pitting. 4-50764 JR82

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SCARCE COLT FLAT TOP TARGET SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

Lot # 1207 (Sale Order: 198 of 402)      

SN 128387. Cal. 450 Boxer. All blue finish with 7-1/2" bbl, German silver target front sight and scarce 1-line Hartford/Pall Mall London block letter address. Bottom of bbl has a tiny "45" and tiny British proofs which are also found on the cylinder. Frame is flat top style with target rear sight in the top strap. Top strap is also engraved "COGSWELL & HARRISON / 226 STRAND, LONDON". Left side of frame has 3-line patent dates and left front web of trigger guard is marked "45 CAL / B". Mounted with Rampant Colt/Eagle hard rubber grips. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter which identifies this revolver in Cal. 450 Boxer with 7-1/2" bbl, blue finish and rubber grips, shipped to Colt's London Agency on Dec. 17, 1888 in a sixteen gun shipment. Additionally accompanied by what is probably its orig distributor supplied, red felt lined English oak casing with empty medallion in the lid. Front of case has a mortised brass lock with rnd escutcheon. Inside the lid has its orig Cogswell & Harrison paper label. Bottom of the case is compartmented for the revolver, a wood handled brass cleaning rod, an L-shaped screwdriver, an ebony handled turn screw and a rnd socket for a pewter oil bottle which now has a military brass oil bottle. According to Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Cochran, only 914 Single Actions were produced in target style, and out of those only 89 were in Cal. 450 Boxer. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very fine to extremely fine. Bbl retains 95-97% glossy orig blue with slight muzzle edge wear and some very fine flaking; ejector housing retains about 60-65% orig blue being a silver/brown patina on the outer radius; frame retains 85-88% glossy orig blue with some light candy striping and light flaking; cyl retains strong blue in the flutes, having flaked to a medium patina on the outer diameter; trigger guard & back strap retain 65-70% glossy orig blue with thin blue/brown front & back straps; grips are sound showing light wear, turned just a little chocolate. Mechanics are crisp; strong bright bore with moderate to heavy pitting. Case is sound with usual handling & storage nicks & scratches and overall retains about 90% orig varnish. Interior is very lightly faded with light soil and solid partitions. Ammunition & accessories are fine. 4-50757 JR333

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RARE COLT FLAT TOP TARGET SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER.

Lot # 1208 (Sale Order: 199 of 402)      

SN 128521. Cal. 32-44. All blue finish with 7-1/2" bbl, German silver target front sight and 1-line block letter Hartford address. Bottom of bbl, under base pin has a tiny "32". Flat top frame has a target sight in the top strap and 3-line patent dates on the left side. Left front web of trigger guard is marked "32 Cal". Mounted with Rampant Colt / Eagle hard rubber grips that have last four digits of matching serial number in pencil inside the right grip. Base pin is orig type with dimpled ends. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter which identifies this revolver in Cal. 32-44 with 7-1/2" bbl, blue finish and rubber grips, shipped to E.W. Vine, address not available on June 17, 1889 in a one gun shipment. Remarks state "records also indicate this arm was shipped with S&W cartridge". According to Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Cochran, there were only 914 flat top Single Actions produced, out of which only nine were in Cal. 32-44 which makes this an extremely rare Colt. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very good. Bbl retains about 50% orig blue, strong in sheltered areas with the loss areas flaked to a dark patina; frame retains 75-80% orig blue with flaking and a ding in the top strap; cyl retains strong blue in the flutes with the outer diameter a blue/brown patina; trigger guard & back strap are mostly a plummy patina with strong blue in sheltered areas; grips are sound showing moderate wear and have turned chocolate. Mechanics are fine; bright shiny bore. 4-50760 JR330

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EXTREMELY RARE COLT FLAT TOP TARGET SMALL BORE SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

Lot # 1209 (Sale Order: 200 of 402)      

SN 129314. Cal. 22. All blue finish with 7-1/2" bbl, German silver target front sight and 1-line block letter address. Bottom of bbl, under ejector housing is marked "22", left side of frame has three patent dates and left front web of trigger guard is marked "22 CAL". Frame is flat top style with target sight in top strap. Mounted with Rampant Colt / Eagle hard rubber grips. Numerous publications show that there was a total of 107 Single Action revolvers produced in Cal. 22, of which 90 utilized frames from the 44 Rimfire series, all in a separate serial range. The remaining 17 revolvers were serialized around the 130,000 range. According to Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Cochran, there were 917 flat top Single Action revolvers produced, out of which only 93 were in Cal. 22 Rimfire. In addition to being an extremely rare caliber in one of these revolvers, it is additionally rare not being British proofed. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Bbl retains 10-15% strong org blue with the balance a blue/brown patina; frame retains blue in sheltered areas being mostly a blue/gray patina; cyl is an overall light plummy patina with numerous small dings on the outer diameter; trigger guard & back strap retain traces of blue in sheltered areas being mostly a gray metal patina; right grip has a chipped toe, otherwise grips are sound and show heavy wear having turned chocolate; hammer is not solid in safety notch, otherwise mechanics are fine. Strong bright bore with a few scattered spots of pitting. A very difficult to find target model Colt with a decent bore. 4-50758 JR331

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