FINE ENGRAVED COLT SA ARMY REVOLVER WITH TEXAS HISTORY INSCRIBED “FROM THE BOYS 1895” (POSSIBLY TO JUDGE JOHN L. SHEPPARD, MOUNT PLEASANT, TEXAS).

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 (25,000-40,000) – Lot 1194

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014

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
	1194	$28,750.00	FINE ENGRAVED COLT SA ARMY REVOLVER WITH TEXAS HISTORY INSCRIBED “FROM THE BOYS 1895” (POSSIBLY TO JUDGE JOHN L. SHEPPARD, MOUNT PLEASANT, TEXAS). 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 (25,000-40,000) – Lot 1194 Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014 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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FINE ENGRAVED COLT SA ARMY REVOLVER WITH TEXAS HISTORY INSCRIBED “FROM THE BOYS 1895” (POSSIBLY TO JUDGE JOHN L. SHEPPARD, MOUNT PLEASANT, TEXAS).