RARE ENGRAVED HISTORIC AND DOCUMENTED COLT SGL ACTION ARMY REVOLVER THAT BELONGED TO FAMOUS TEXAS RANGER, CAPT. FRANK HAMER WHO SUCCESSFULLY TRACKED DOWN BONNIE AND CLYDE.

RARE ENGRAVED HISTORIC AND DOCUMENTED COLT SGL ACTION ARMY REVOLVER THAT BELONGED TO FAMOUS TEXAS RANGER, CAPT. FRANK HAMER WHO SUCCESSFULLY TRACKED DOWN BONNIE AND CLYDE. Cal. 45 Colt. SN 180260. Nickel finish with 4-3/4″ bbl, 2-line address with deep relief carved eagle head 2-pc pearl grips. Frame has full coverage engraving in New York Nimschke style consisting of foliate arabesque patterns with punch dot background. Loading gate has a small, typical Nimschke fan with small arabesque patterns on the sides of the trigger guard. Bbl has nearly full-length 60-70% coverage arabesque patterns with an engraved wavy line in the ejector rod-housing gullet. Cylinder has foliate arabesque patterns on the islands between the flutes & has a scalloped & straight line back edge border with a dot & circle pattern. Back strap has Nimschke’s trademark fan at the top with light arabesque patterns down the back and on the trigger bow. Bottom of the butt is engraved, through the nickel in Old English script “W.H.F. to H.H”. Accompanied by several articles & letters from and about Capt. Hamer, one of which is a notarized statement from Capt. Hamer dated 15th July 1952 to Mr. Herbert Mills of San Antonio, TX. Capt. Hamer identifies this revolver by serial number and the engraving on the butt and states that it “was owned and used by William H. (Bill) Ford living in Llano, Texas, in the killing of Dolph White, in a gun fight.” He states that it had passed through a number of hands before it came into his possession but he definitely knew that it belonged to Bill Ford. He further states that he carried it for a number of years during his service as a peace officer. Another letter, dated April 25, 1957, lists three Frank Hamer guns being transferred by Mr. Mills to Herb Glass of Bullville, NY. There are copies of several pictures with Capt. Hamer standing among other rangers, politicians & movie stars including Tom Mix. There is a copy of The Texas Gun Collector publication of March 1953, which shows four sgl action Colts owned by Capt. Hamer, one of which is this revolver. Also accompanying is a Colt Factory letter identifying this revolver as having been shipped November 5, 1898 as a blue gun with rubber stocks to Hartley & Graham of New York City in the “soft”. Letter states that it was to be engraved outside the factory. Also accompanying is a deluxe edition of the book in its slipcover, I’m Frank Hamer, Frost & Jenkins (The Life & Time of a Texas Peace Officer). Capt. Hamer’s commission as “Senior Captain of the Texas Rangers” is also being sold in this auction. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus. Retains virtually all of its fine orig Nimschke nickel finish with a faint cylinder line & some light dulling of the cylinder and high points on the frame & grip. Grips have a small chip at the right heel with an age line on the left side, have great fire & colors with a wonderful aged patina. Screws retain most of their orig niter blue, as does the cylinder pin & hammer. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. Book is as new. 4-56959 (95,000-125,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2005

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	4170	$178,250.00	RARE ENGRAVED HISTORIC AND DOCUMENTED COLT SGL ACTION ARMY REVOLVER THAT BELONGED TO FAMOUS TEXAS RANGER, CAPT. FRANK HAMER WHO SUCCESSFULLY TRACKED DOWN BONNIE AND CLYDE. Cal. 45 Colt. SN 180260. Nickel finish with 4-3/4″ bbl, 2-line address with deep relief carved eagle head 2-pc pearl grips. Frame has full coverage engraving in New York Nimschke style consisting of foliate arabesque patterns with punch dot background. Loading gate has a small, typical Nimschke fan with small arabesque patterns on the sides of the trigger guard. Bbl has nearly full-length 60-70% coverage arabesque patterns with an engraved wavy line in the ejector rod-housing gullet. Cylinder has foliate arabesque patterns on the islands between the flutes & has a scalloped & straight line back edge border with a dot & circle pattern. Back strap has Nimschke’s trademark fan at the top with light arabesque patterns down the back and on the trigger bow. Bottom of the butt is engraved, through the nickel in Old English script “W.H.F. to H.H”. Accompanied by several articles & letters from and about Capt. Hamer, one of which is a notarized statement from Capt. Hamer dated 15th July 1952 to Mr. Herbert Mills of San Antonio, TX. Capt. Hamer identifies this revolver by serial number and the engraving on the butt and states that it “was owned and used by William H. (Bill) Ford living in Llano, Texas, in the killing of Dolph White, in a gun fight.” He states that it had passed through a number of hands before it came into his possession but he definitely knew that it belonged to Bill Ford. He further states that he carried it for a number of years during his service as a peace officer. Another letter, dated April 25, 1957, lists three Frank Hamer guns being transferred by Mr. Mills to Herb Glass of Bullville, NY. There are copies of several pictures with Capt. Hamer standing among other rangers, politicians & movie stars including Tom Mix. There is a copy of The Texas Gun Collector publication of March 1953, which shows four sgl action Colts owned by Capt. Hamer, one of which is this revolver. Also accompanying is a Colt Factory letter identifying this revolver as having been shipped November 5, 1898 as a blue gun with rubber stocks to Hartley & Graham of New York City in the “soft”. Letter states that it was to be engraved outside the factory. Also accompanying is a deluxe edition of the book in its slipcover, I’m Frank Hamer, Frost & Jenkins (The Life & Time of a Texas Peace Officer). Capt. Hamer’s commission as “Senior Captain of the Texas Rangers” is also being sold in this auction. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus. Retains virtually all of its fine orig Nimschke nickel finish with a faint cylinder line & some light dulling of the cylinder and high points on the frame & grip. Grips have a small chip at the right heel with an age line on the left side, have great fire & colors with a wonderful aged patina. Screws retain most of their orig niter blue, as does the cylinder pin & hammer. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. Book is as new. 4-56959 (95,000-125,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2005 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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