Revised: 4/10/2017

Please Note: The bullets in the box are 45 x 85 x 300 as cataloged, however the gun requires 45 x 85 x 285.

SCARCE LARGE FRAME COLT LIGHTENING PUMP ACTION RIFLE.

SN 6282. Cal 45-85-285. Standard grade rifle with 28″ oct bbl, full magazine, Rocky Mountain front sight with nickel silver front blade and semi-buckhorn rear sight. Left side of receiver has the Rampant Colt logo marking. Mounted with uncheckered straight grain American walnut buttstock that has straight grip & crescent buttplate. Forearm is standard style made of 2 piece of walnut, checkered with fluted ends. Left side upper tang is marked with matching SN which is also found on front face of buttstock. Inside the buttplate is marked with the SN “6222”, obviously an assemblers mistake. Accompanied by a Colt Factory letter which identifies this rifle in the caliber as found with 28″ oct bbl, blue finish and sold to E.K. Tryon Jr. & Co., Philadelphia PA, shipped to Charles D. Gibbons, address unavailable on September 18, 1893 in a one gun shipment. Also accompanied by a full box of UMC 45-85-300 ammunition. Box has rnd corners with green & black top & side label and orange & black end labels on the bottom. Reverse side of the box has a large green & white seal that has been opened. Box contains 16 rnds of orig copper tube expanding lead bullet cartridges and 4 UMC solid lead bullet cartridges. According to the Blue Book of Antique American Firearms & Values, Fjestad & Allen there were 4,496 large frame Lightening rifles produced in the period 1887-1894, of which only 1,079 were in 45-85 cal. These rifles were produced as competition for the big bore Marlin’s and Winchester’s but never received the popularity from the buying public necessary for continued production. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching, buttplate as noted. Bbl & magazine tube retain 95-97% crisp orig blue with light sharp edge wear and slight muzzle end wear. Receiver retains 88-90% orig blue, strong and bright on the left side and over the top, thinning on the right side & bottom. Trigger guard is also thinning blue with most of the bottom tang in gray metal patina. Top tang is thin blue. Buttplate is faded to silver. Wood is sound with a few light nicks & scratches and retains most of its orig oil finish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. Ammunition box is very fine showing only light edge wear & soil with darkened ends. Ammunition is crisp & clean. 51570-8 JRL (8,000-12,000) – Lot 1126

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VERY RARE SPECIAL ORDER COLT MEDIUM FRAME LIGHTNING SLIDE ACTION SADDLE RING CARBINE.

SN 72775. Cal 44 WCF (44-40). Standard grade carbine with special order 16″ rnd bbl, full magazine, square base front sight & reverse mounted carbine ladder rear sight. Receiver has a staple & ring on the left side. Bbl & receiver have British proofs. Mounted with old replacement uncheckered straight grain American walnut buttstock that has carbine buttplate and original 2-pc, double Schnable checkered walnut forearm. Receiver & buttplate are nickel finish. Colt produced the medium frame carbine in 2 styles, both with 20″ bbls as standard. The standard carbine weighed approximately 6 lbs 4 oz. and the baby carbine 5 lbs 4 oz. This carbine weighs 5 lbs 11.2 oz. indicating that it probably was produced from standard parts. This configuration was previously unknown to this cataloger. Colt produced the slide action Lightning line as a companion arm for their single action Army revolvers, however the buying public did not readily accept this type of action over the well established lever action. CONDITION: Good to very good, all matching except buttstock which is a replacement. Bbl & magazine tube retain most of a fine restored brown finish. Receiver, trigger guard & buttplate retain most of their restored nickel finish. The replacement buttstock retains most of its custom oil finish. Mechanics are fine, strong bright bore with scattered light pitting. 51720-2 (5,000-8,000) – Lot 1127

FINE COLT LIGHTNING MEDIUM FRAME SLIDE ACTION RIFLE.

SN 89510. Cal 44 WCF (44-40). Standard grade rifle with 26″ oct bbl, full magazine, Rocky Mountain front sight with German silver blade and Colt semi-buckhorn rear sight. Top flat of bbl has standard markings forward of the rear sight and the caliber marking over the chamber area. Left side of frame has the Rampant Colt trademark. Mounted with uncheckered, straight grain American walnut with single fluted forearm and straight stock with crescent buttplate. Forearm has carved line borders. The medium frame lightning rifle was Colt’s first production of a slide action firearm and was very high production from 1884-1902. Colt introduced the slide action rifle as a companion to their Single Action Army revolver. The slide action rifles, while reasonably popular simply could not compete with the already well established lever action rifles of that era. CONDITION: Very fine to extremely fine. Bbl & magazine tube retain 98-99% crisp orig blue with only faint muzzle edge wear. Receiver retains 95-96% glossy orig blue showing light sharp edge wear, a few very light scratches and some minor freckling on both sides along with some candy striping. Trigger guard & extension show slight thinning. Top & bottom tangs retain most of their orig blue with some minor thinning. Hammer retains most of its orig, strong case colors. Buttplate retains faded case colors. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. Shows little evidence of ever having been fired. 51652-1 JRL (4,000-6,000) – Lot 1128

Revised: 4/6/2017

Please Note: We misspelled John Kopec’s name in the description. It is spelled Kopec NOT Kopek.

COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY SN 5773 POSITIVELY PROVEN TO HAVE BEEN USED BY ONE OF CUSTER’S MEN DURING THE INFAMOUS BATTLE OF THE LITTLE BIGHORN.

SN 5773. Cal. 45 Colt. Usual configuration with 7-1/2″ bbl, full front sight and 1-line script letter address with serifs at each end. Left side of frame has 2-line September 19, 1871 and July 2, 1872 patent dates along with a small “U.S.” Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip with matching SN in the backstrap channel. Ejector housing is orig first type with bullseye ejector rod head and base pin is orig type with dimpled ends. Bottom of the bbl under the ejector housing is marked with matching SN which is also found on the cylinder. Bottom of the bbl also has a tiny “A” (Orville W Ainsworth) sub-inspector initial along with a small “P”. Mr. Ainsworth’s “A” inspector initial is also found on the trigger guard below the SN and on the cylinder which also has a tiny “P” inspector initial. Top of the backstrap also has a small “A” sub-inspector initial. The grip shows heavy wear which has obliterated the Ainsworth cartouche and bottom edge of grip is somewhat battered which also obliterated his inspector initial. Front bottom edge of the ejector housing is beveled rather than having a sharp edge as it originally left the factory. Bottom front edge of the buttstrap is also lightly beveled instead of being a sharp edge as was original on these early revolvers. This was often done at the arsenal level and in the field. The reason being that sharp edges on the ejector housing quickly wore the holsters and the sharp edge of the buttstrap was uncomfortable for the shooter. Cylinder has large, wide stop notches without approaches but shows slight battering from the lock bolt in those areas. Loading gate has the assembly number “710” which is also found on bottom of frame, under the trigger guard. A large portion of the revolver has moderate to heavy blood pitting, especially on the cylinder, recoil shield and frame. This Colt SA Army is a true historic American treasure. It is the only documented, complete and original Colt SA Army that can be proven to have been part of one of the greatest military cavalry disasters of all time. In the summer of 1876, General George Armstrong Custer together with 12 companies of approximately 800 men were on the trail of Sitting Bull and his band of Sioux followers. Custer’s command was part of a 3 prong effort to source, capture and bring back this large group that had left the reservation. Custer and his men discovered Sitting Bull’s camp on the banks of the Little Big Horn River on the 25th of June and for various reasons decided to immediately attack. Custer divided his command into 4 units; 3 of which would participate in the battle. His intention was to descend upon the Indian village with the 3 different units all attacking in pincer type movement. Custer, with 200+ men, intending to go to the far end of the village while Reno and Benteen coordinated and attacked on the other end of the village. When Custer initially planned the attack, he assumed it was a typical Indian village. What he did not know was that it was a massive gathering of Lakota, Sioux, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians consisting of literally thousands. Reno was the first to attack and was quickly repulsed and retreated to a hilltop defense position which he and his men desperately held. Eventually Benteen returned coming to their rescue and together they were able to repulse the attacks. Custer and his 5 companies, however, were not so fortunate. Upon attacking the far end of the village, he was immediately repulsed and his command, shortly thereafter, disintegrated. Eventually, the Indians overwhelmed Custer’s command. Custer, his two brothers, a nephew, his brother-in-law, together with his entire command were annihilated; not a single soul survived. A couple of days later, Benteen together with a command of troopers, visited the battle site and collected and buried all of their massacred brothers. What they observed was a grisly battlefield of naked, mutilated bodies and virtually nothing of value left. The Indians had removed the troopers’ uniforms, boots, holsters and of course their guns. With a few exceptions, the battlefield had been swept clean by the Indians. Few items that the Indians missed were either gathered or buried with the troopers. Documents found in the National Archives relate to a board of survey convened at Fort Rice, Dakota Territory on December 5th, 1876. That survey related to a group of 12 Springfield Carbines and 3 Colt SA Revolvers including SN 5743, 6559 and this gun, SN 5773. This group, as presented by Captain Benteen, in his words, were all rendered unserviceable in action against hostile Indians at the Battle of Little Bighorn, M.T. on the 25th and 26th of June, 1876. As such, these guns are the only that can be positively identified to have been utilized in the infamous battle. The documentation was made by one of Custer’s commanding officers who was present at the battle and the guns are identified by serial number, thus conclusively proving their existence at the battle. It must be remembered that after the battle, nearly all guns were swept clean of the battlefield by the Indians. Shortly after that, these Indians either disbanded and returned to the reservation or escaped to Canada. Initially, any Indian possessing one of these firearms kept its existence confidential. After all, at this crucial time in history, possession of evidence such as that would have likely rendered an immediate death sentence for any Indian possessing a U.S. Cavalry gun. So the guns identified by serial number and turned over by Benteen are not only conclusive battlefield participants but also exceedingly rare. Over the years, many guns have been identified as purportedly having been used at the battle and indeed, any gun that could be associated with the battle carries a significant premium. These guns that have been purported to have been involved in the battle are identified as such, based on one of four different rationales or proof. 1. Known general serial number range of Colt SAs distributed to Custer’s troopers. There are no known exact firearm serial number records of guns issued to Custer’s troopers, however it is known by the Springfield Archive records that approximately 700 Colt SA Armies were issued to Custer troopers and it is know that those 700 basically came from a serial number range running from #4500-7527. Because of this, if one had a Colt SA Army that fell somewhere in that range, there was a possibility that this gun had been used by the cavalry and as such, commanded a premium. Obviously, that is a big if. 2. Family history or provenance linking a gun to the battle. Over the years, guns have surfaced with interesting and in some cases, very believable pedigree and/or history having been acquired by an Indian family purported to have participated in the massacre. However other than the story and details, in such cases, none of these guns could be positively proven as being used at the battle. 3. Forensic proof. In the mid-1980s, an archaeological dig was conducted at the battle site. At that time, an army of metal detector handlers scanned the battlefield and marked any findings. Later, the objects were excavated, mapped and documented. All cartridge casings discovered were documented and retrieved. At some point during the archaeological dig, it was suggested that these cartridge casings might be used to prove the actual usage of some suspected guns during the battle. For years, criminologists had used spent cartridge casings to match and identify crime firearms. Essentially, when a cartridge is fired in a gun, the resulting recoil leaves microscopic impressions or marks on the head of the spent cartridge casing. These are much like a fingerprint and tend to be somewhat unique, thus if you have a spent cartridge casing and a suspected gun, if you fire another cartridge in the questioned gun and match the heads of the casings, if these microscopic imperfections match up identically then much like a fingerprint, it proves the use and match of the suspected gun. There were literally hundreds if not thousands of people who owned firearms which they believed had been used at the battle and a special invitation was extended to any and all people or institutions with such guns. Originally, fifteen long arms were matched up to spent cartridge cases found on the battlefield. Ten of these long arms were in institutions and five in private hands (four of these forensically proven long arms have been successfully sold by Julia’s over the years for clients). The resulting matchup is not absolute proof positive but is reasonably accurate, unlike options 1 and 2 above. 4. Documented serial numbers of guns turned in by Captain Benteen. As previously mentioned these guns are the only guns in existence which are unquestionably, positively proven to have been used at this infamous battle. Captain Benteen’s records and the documenting of the serial numbers conclusively prove this exact gun SN 5773 was at the battle. This very rare Colt SA, SN 5773, is one of the 3 guns that Captain Benteen documented in his reports. This exact gun has been subject of numerous articles and was extensively discussed and described and covered in great detail with several photographs on page 266, 267 & 268 of Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers…A continuing study by John Kopek and Sterling Fenn. This exact pistol, SN 5773 together with 5743 and 6559 were turned over to the Ordinance Department. It is known that 5743 and 6559 were later, during the Spanish-American War, rebuilt and converted to artillery configuration with 5-1/2″ barrels. However, 5773 was not documented as having been reissued during the war and today is still in its original configuration and condition. It is strongly believed that gun was possibly sold out of the armory at some point in time. It is not known how or when it left the armory but what is known is that in 1979, it was discovered in Switzerland. It was accompanied by another Colt SA, SN 68360; both of which were complete with holster and belt. The guns were sold on a couple of occasions and were finally acquired by our consignor in the early 1990s. At the time, the extraordinary history was not known. It was not until our consignor sent a letter with photographs to Sterling Fenn and John Kopek. It was then that John Kopek identified SN 5773 as one of the very guns that Captain Benteen had turned in. Since that time, this historic gun has remained in our consignor’s collection. Today, the gun is essentially completely original and as it was in 1876 when Benteen turned it in. This gun, unlike the other two, has not been altered and although it is not known for certain why the gun was considered unserviceable, there are two likely possibilities. Mr. Kopek, at the time speculated that since the gun retains a fair amount of “blood” pitting, this might have been the reason, but more likely was the fact that on careful examination, it can be determined that the lock bolt trigger return spring is a replacement. Subsequently, it is very likely that the only thing wrong with the gun in terms of function was that the cylinder would not lock into position. The unique and important aspect of this Colt is that it is the only complete and original Colt SA extant that can be positively documented to this most historic and infamous battle. As previously mentioned, SN 5743 and 6559 are known to be converted, altered, restored and refinished and put back into service during the Spanish-American War. We do not know the whereabouts or current condition of SN 5743 but 6559 was offered and sold by our auction company in the late 1990s. At the time, it had been discovered in relic condition. The cylinder was blown out, all parts of the gun had much pitting, there was no original finish and it had many alterations; in fact, the only component of the Colt pistol bearing the special SN 6559 was the barrel. We believe this Colt SA, SN 5773, to be the single most significant and authentic and completely documented firearm from that famous battle. It is not based on speculation but is absolutely indisputable that this revolver participated in the famous Battle of Little Bighorn. As such, this is a truly historic treasure worthy of the finest of most advanced collection. CONDITION: Very good, all matching including bbl, cylinder & grip. No orig finish remains being an overall gray metal patina with dark patina in the most sheltered areas on the frame. The frame & cylinder have numerous areas of moderate to heavy blood pitting, heavier on the cylinder. Bbl has light, fine pitting toward the muzzle end with scattered spots of light pitting elsewhere. Trigger guard & ejector housing also show very fine pitting. Grip is sound with a few nicks, dings & scratches and shows heavy edge wear with a hand worn patina. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with sharp rifling & fine pitting. 51218-1 JDJ (175,000-275,000) – Lot 1129

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EXTREMELY RARE ROOSEVELT’S ROUGH RIDER ISSUED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

SN 7464. Cal 45 Colt. Blue finish with 5-1/2″ bbl thinned front sight & 1-line block letter address. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates and a small “U.S.”. Ejector housing is 3rd type with bullseye ejector rod head and has the electric pencil 2-digit (64) matching SN on the inside radius. Mounted with a replacement 1-pc walnut grip with spurious number in backstrap channel. Bottom of bbl, under ejector housing has the SN “5758” and the cylinder is numbered “7545”. Trigger guard & backstrap SN’s have been restamped. The front strap, under the grip has a grip locator pin hole and sides of the hammer have been polished bright. Accompanied by a Colt Factory letter which shows that this revolver was in caliber 45 Colt, bbl length and type of stocks, not listed, blue finish and shipped to the U.S. Government on April 17, 1903 in a 200 gun shipment. The shipping date is consistent with those Cavalry revolvers returned to Colt for refurbishing and alteration into artillery models with 5-1/2″ bbl. Also accompanied by a 2-page letter from renowned Colt historian & author, John Kopec wherein he reports much of the above information. He additionally states that this revolver had initially been issued to Troop “C” of the 5th Cavalry. He further reports that in 1893 many of the original Cavalry revolvers were recalled and subsequently refurbished into artillery configuration and then placed into service during 1898. He continues that this revolver, identified by SN in the U.S. Archives, shows that it was issued on June 20, 1898 to the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry (Rough Riders) and that it was issued to Trooper Charles M. Armstrong of Troop “I”. The chart on page 111 of Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers, A Continuing Study, Kopec & Fenn discloses the same information about this revolver having been issued to Trooper Armstrong. Very few of identified arms used by the Rough Riders have ever surfaced. This is a rare opportunity to obtain a piece of American history. CONDITION: Good. Bbl & ejector housing retain 93-95% strong restored blue. Frame retains about 90% thin restored blue and the cylinder 88-90% restored blue. Grip frame shows sharp edge wear and retains most of its restored finish. Grip shows moderate to heavy wear and retains a hand worn patina. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 51588-1 JRL (10,000-15,000) – Lot 1130

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SCARCE COLT ARTILLERY MODEL SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

SN 120478. Cal 45 Colt. Blue and color case hardened with 5-1/2″ bbl, full front sight with one-line block letter address. Bottom of the bbl has a double “P” proof and the SN 116523. Frame number is 120478, trigger guard is 136293 and the backstrap is numbered 96060. Cylinder has a partially visible number that appears to be 3–4. Left side of frame has 3-line patent dates and “U.S.”. Mounted 1-pc walnut grip with the 4-digits of the SN 3503 in the backstrap channel. Left side of grip has a crisp “CCM” (Lt. Charles C. Morrrison) inspector cartouche under the date “1881” and the early small “DFC” (David F. Clark) sub-inspector cartouche on the right side. Bottom right edge of grip also has a small “DFC” inspector initials. Bottom of frame is also “DFC” inspected and the trigger guard has the inspector initial “K” with the mystery “G” on the buttstrap. No inspector initials were visible on the cylinder or bbl. Ejector housing is 3rd type with half moon ejector rod head and the base pin is orig type with dimpled ends. Accompanied by a Colt Factory letter which identifies this revolver, as found, delivered to the U.S. Government at the Colt plant March 8,1887 in a 450 gun shipment. Under remarks, state records also indicate that it was returned to the factory for “cleaning, repairing & remodeling, bbl cut to 5-1/2″ and subsequently reshipped to Commanding Officer Springfield Armory on May 18, 1903”. This revolver was altered too late to have seen service in Cuba, but possibly served in the Philippines or later in an American frontier unit. CONDITION: Extremely fine. Bbl & ejector housing retain about 90% factory blue with muzzle end wear and wear on the outer radius of ejector housing. Frame retains about 60% faded case colors and the hammer faded case colors, stronger on rear edge. Cylinder retains about 60-65% factory blue with a heavy cylinder line and various light scratches. Trigger guard & backstrap retain strong factory blue. Grip is sound with a couple of small scratches and retains most of its original oil finish. Screws are crisp and retain most of their orig fire blue. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 51805-2 (12,500-17,500) – Lot 1131

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COLT ARTILLERY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

SN 55595. Cal 45 Colt. Blue & color case hardened with 5-1/2″ bbl, thinned front sight and 1-line script letter address. Bottom of the bbl, under the ejector housing is marked with the SN “8307”. Frame SN is “55595” with “DFC” (David F. Clark) inspector initials. The trigger guard is numbered “4210” with a small “A” (Orville W. Ainsworth) inspector initial and the buttstrap has SN “115329” with the mystery “G” inspector initial. Cylinder has only a small “P” inspector initial otherwise it is completely unmarked, with no SN or inspector initials. Ejector housing is first type with bullseye ejector rod head. Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip that has a faint “OCH” (Lt. Odus C. Horney) cartouche with a faint “RAC” (Rinaldo A. Carr) cartouche on the right side with his initials also on bottom right edge of grip. Right edge of grip also has 3 deep carved notches. This revolver is one of the mixed number revolvers reworked during the 1900-1902 alteration period. Accompanied by a fine tooled belt & right hand holster rig. Belt is 2-1/2″ wide by about 35″ long with sewn-on billets and 34 cartridge loops. The tongue billet has the oval cartouche marked “R.T. FRAZIER / PUEBLO. COLO.” The double loop holster is buck-stitched around the rear edge & toe and has the identical Frazier cartouche on the top loop. Body of the holster & loops are very nicely tooled in foliate patterns. Cartridge loops contain 7 dummy wooden cartridges. Buckle is a cut-corner square nickel plated steel buckle. CONDITION: Fine. Numbers as noted above. Bbl & cylinder retain 88-90% blue turning plummy brown. Frame retains traces of silvered case colors being mostly a dark patina. Trigger guard & backstrap show a dark blue finish. Grip has a sliver missing from the left rear edge otherwise is sound showing moderate to heavy wear and a hand worn patina. Hammer will not hold in safety notch otherwise mechanics are fine. Strong bright bore with scattered fine pitting. Belt & holster rig retain strong orig finish showing light to moderate wear and most of its orig russet brown finish. 51619-4 (8,000-12,000) – Lot 1132

COLT CUSTER RANGE SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

SN 6442. Cal 45 COLT. Usual configuration with 7-1/2″ “stretched” bbl, full front sight & 1-line script letter address with seraphs at each end. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates and a small “U.S.”. Bottom of bbl, under ejector housing is marked with the matching SN and there is a small “A” (Orville W. Ainsworth) inspector initial on the bottom by the base pin. There is also a small “P”. Cylinder, trigger guard & backstrap are all matching numbered to the frame. Loading gate is without assembly number but has matching patina and wear to the frame indicating a period of use replacement. Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip that has a partially legible “OWA” (Ainsworth) cartouche on the left side. Cylinder, trigger guard & backstrap are also marked with small “A” inspector initials. Base pin is original type with dimpled ends. Ejector housing is 1st type with bulls-eye ejector rod head. This revolver is from the first contract with Colt for 8,000 revolvers and is from Lot 6. Revolvers of that lot are known to have been issued to members of Custer’s staff, scouts and Indian scouts along with troopers of Company D under Capt. Benteen and Company I with the Pack Train detail. While it is known that Colt’s of Lot 6 were issued to Custer’s cavalry, revolvers of the same lot were also issued to the 2nd & 3rd cavalry regiments. Given that this revolver had its barrel stretched (extended) from about the 5-1/2″ mark, indicates that it very likely had been returned to the Colt plant for alteration to artillery configuration with 5-1/2″ bbl. The table of serial numbers on page 280 of Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers…..a Continuing Study lists SN 6450, only 8 numbers from this revolver as being a cylinder recovered near the Custer battlefield lending credence to the premise that this revolver was also at The Little Big Horn, probably with Capt. Benteen’s troop. Accompanied by a 1998 dated letter on John A. Kopec letterhead over Mr. Kopec’s signature and addressed to David Pierce of British Columbia, Canada wherein Mr. Kopec states that he had originally purchased this revolver in about 1968 from a Mexican fellow for $350.00. At that time the revolver had a cut barrel which Mr. Kopec had extended by a Mr. McMurray of Pittsburgh, Kansas. This revolver is pictured and described on pages 198, 203, 204 & 268 of A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver, Graham, Kopec & Moore, a copy of which accompanies this revolver. Inside the fly leaf of this book is an inscription to Mr. Pierce dated July 14, 1993 over the signature of Mr. Kopec wherein he states that he purchased it about 1968 and it remained in his personal collection for several years. This revolver was also photographed & referenced on page 10 of the May 1971 magazine The Gun Report in an article by Mr. Kopec. Very few documented cavalry Colt’s associated with Custer and The Battle of the Little Big Horn are known today. CONDITION: Fair to good. No orig finish remains being an overall mottled gray/brown patina with scattered fine pitting around the muzzle, on the frame and grip frame. Cylinder & ejector housing are matching patina. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 51735-1 JRL (6,000-8,000) – Lot 1133

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EXTREMELY RARE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER IN 44 RIMFIRE.

SN 235. Cal 44RF. Blue and color case hardened with 7-1/2″ bbl, full front sight and 1-line script letter address with serifs at each end. Left side of frame has 2-line, 2 patents dates of Sept 19,1871 and July 2, 1872. Left shoulder trigger guard is marked “44 CAL”. Ejector housing is first type with bullseye ejector rod head and base pin is orig type with dimpled ends. Hammer is color case hardened with riveted rimfire firing pin. Firing pin slot in the frame is rectangular style with a small “C” below the slot. Mounted with 1-pc varnished walnut grip that has a small “M” hand carved in the left side. Bottom of the bbl, near the frame is marked with a tiny “44”. Rifling of the bbl is the earlier style with 6 wide lands & grooves. Bottom of the bbl also is marked with a small “C”, another of which is on the rear face of the cyl. The bbl & firing pin slot of the frame of this revolver are pictured on pages 33-34 of the book A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver, Graham, Kopec & Moore, a copy of which accompanies this revolver. Mr. Kopec’s autograph appears inside the fly leaf. Mr. Kopec used this exact revolver as an all correct rimfire revolver. Accompanied by two Colt Factory letters, The first addressed too Mr Richard Atkinson and dated Sept 8 1971 indicates Cal.44 Rim Fire, Barrel Length, not listed Finish, Blue. Types of stocks, Not Listed. Sold and shipped to, Spies, Kissam & Co, New York N.Y. Date of shipment Feb.8 1876. Guns in shipment 12 and is signed by R.H Wagner. The second letter is dated March 31 2014 indicates Cal. .44 Rimfire, Barrel 7 1/2, Finish, Blue. Type of stocks, Wood. Shipped to Spies Kissam and Company New York N.Y. Shipped February 8 1876. Guns in shipment 12 and was signed by Beverly Hayes. Colt single action Army revolvers in rimfire caliber are some of the most rare of all single actions. The book Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia Cochran, reports that there was a total of 1,863 such revolvers manufactured in caliber 44 rimfire in the period 1875-1880. By the time these revolvers reached the market they had already been made obsolete by the center fire cartridge and therefore saw very little acceptance from the buying U.S. public. The vast majority of this production was sold primarily into Mexico and South America where the Henry & Winchester model 1866 arms chambered in 44 rimfire were still popular. Apparently the 7-1/2″ bbl was not well regarded in those area of the world and the majority of those revolvers repatriated to the U.S. have had their bbls shortened and are generally in pitiful condition showing heavy use and little or no maintenance. In the period 1888-1890 Colt converted 107 of the 44 rimfire revolvers and frames to caliber 22 rimfire which was also not a popular product. Extremely few of these big bore rimfire revolvers are encountered today in any condition and one in completely orig configuration with any orig finish is a great rarity. PROVENANCE: Richard Atkinson, Tommy Rholes, Vince Sepulveda Collections. CONDITION: Very good, all matching including bbl and cyl, as noted. Overall the revolver is mostly a light gray metal patina. Bbl retains 15-20% bright orig blue mostly under the ejector housing with scattered spots of fine pitting on the right side toward the muzzle. Frame retains traces of smokey case colors in sheltered areas, stronger on the rear edges of recoil shields with scattered fine flash pitting in the forcing cone area of the frame and on left recoil shield. Cyl retains plummy blue in the flutes with the balance matching condition of the frame & bbl. Ejector housing retains about 30-40% strong orig blue in the top and bottom gullets, strong & bright in the bottom. Trigger guard retains about 20% strong orig blue and the backstrap traces orig blue in sheltered areas. Hammer retains about 75% strong case colors, faded on the top edge. Screws show light use. Grip is sound showing edge wear and light nicks & scratches, retaining 90% orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp. Strong bore with moderate pitting. The accompanying book is crisp & clean. 51546-2 JRL (17,500-25,000) – Lot 1134

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Revised: 3/24/2017

Please Note: Upon closer examination, the barrel address and patent date appears to be chased. Patent dates were thinned during the final polish. We guarantee this gun to be a genuine New York engraved single action.

WONDERFUL ANTIQUE NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

SN 92065. Cal 45 COLT. Nickel finish with 7-1/2″ bbl, thinned front sight but still full height 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 beautiful 2-pc pearl grips, probably supplied by the distributor, with relief carved flying American eagle on left side. Engraving by Mr. Nimschke is about D-coverage consisting of extremely well executed foliate arabesque patterns on the frame, bbl, cylinder, backstrap, buttstrap, trigger guard and ejector housing. Top strap is engraved with very fine diamond & dot patterns along with foliate patterns, most unusual for a single action but frequently seen on Mr. Nimschke’s engraved Winchesters. Top of the backstrap is engraved in Mr. Nimschke’s fan pattern with a triangle at the center and flower blossoms covering the junction of the backstrap shoulders to the frame. Sides of the shoulders are engraved in fan patterns. Trigger bow & ejector housing both have very detailed engraved Hunter’s Stars. Accompanied by a 4-page letter from renowned Colt historian and author, the late R.L. Wilson wherein he authenticates the engraving as having been accomplished by master engraver L.D. Nimschke. Additionally accompanied by a 3 page article about this revolver which appeared in the March 1997 issue of the German arms magazine, Deutsches Waffen-Journal which featured this revolver on the cover. An illustration in the article includes a Colt factory letter which identified this revolver in caliber 45 with 7-1/2″ bbl, “soft” finish, type of stocks not listed and shipped to Hartley & Graham, NY, NY on May 9, 1883 in a 25 gun shipment. Under remarks section the letter states that “soft” indicates that the revolver was shipped without final finishing for engraving outside the factory. Additionally accompanied by a fine R.T. Frazier double-loop buck stitched holster. Body of the holster has very fine border carving and the “R.T. Frazier / Pueblo-COLO.” cartouche on the top loop. Given the quality and extent of the engraving along with the fine holster it seems likely that this revolver belonged to someone in the west. Although the holster shows moderate to heavy wear, the revolver does not, indicating that it saw very little use, just some light handling. CONDITION: Revolver is extremely fine retaining virtually all of its fine nickel finish that appears to be completely original. Screws retain most of their bright fire blue. Cylinder has been fired but very little, showing “burn” around all 6 chambers, otherwise cylinder retains virtually all of its orig nickel. Grip is missing a large chunk and a small chip at the right heel and another small chip from the right toe otherwise grips are sound showing extremely light wear with great fire & color. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. Holster shows moderate to heavy wear with some finish loss near the top and on the loops otherwise is sound and retains 80% fine orig brown finish. 51732-7 JRL (25,000-45,000) – Lot 1135

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*MINTY WILBUR GLAHN FACTORY ENGRAVED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH TEXAS HISTORY SHIPPED TO WOLF & KLAR, FORT WORTH, TEXAS WITH GOLD MOUNTED CARVED IVORY GRIPS.

SN 353118. Cal. 45. Nickel finish with 4-3/4″ bbl, full thick front sight, 2-line address and “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY 45” on left side. Left side of frame has 2-line, 3-patent dates and rampant Colt in a circle. Mounted with spectacular 2-pc ivory grips with a raised carved ox head on right side. Revolver is engraved by master engraver Wilbur Glahn in his deluxe full coverage flowing foliate arabesque patterns with extremely fine punch dot background. Top of back strap, top of back strap ears & corresponding area of frame are engraved in Mr. Glahn’s trademark “V” patterns. Back strap is full coverage engraved in tulip patterns with acanthus leaf patterns on butt strap & foliate arabesque patterns on trigger guard. Foliate arabesque patterns extend 3/4 of the way up each side of bbl with a snake & dash pattern in ejector rod housing gullet and foliate arabesque patterns on outer radius. Ejector rod housing boss on frame is engraved with a large flower blossom. Cyl has full coverage foliate arabesque pattern engraving around the outer diameter, strikingly offset by the bright nickel flutes. SN was observed in the usual place on bottom of frame and on right sides of front & back straps under grip. Last two digits of SN are found on rear face of cylinder. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter fully identifying this revolver, as found, in caliber 45 Colt, 4-3/4″ bbl, nickel finish, rubber stocks, factory engraved in Class “C” coverage, shipped to “Loan Account” Wolf & Klar, Fort Worth, TX on July 15, 1929 to Account #16671/1 in a 1-gun shipment. Under remarks section it states that “This revolver was purchased by Wolf & Klar on Jan. 16, 1931.” The first time this gun came to auction and sold at a California auction house in 2006, revolver was described as showing “beautiful raised relief carved medallion ivory grips with Wolf & Klar accents to the carving consisting of gold steerhorns, nose ring and ruby eyes inset in the right grip; large gold medallions which appear to be “TD” on the left grip. Wolf & Klar were one of the bigger dealers in Colt firearms at this period of time, and this pistol was loaned as a display piece by Colt. The quality of the engraving is excellent and is one of the finest examples of Wilbur Glahn’s work. The initials on the left grip purportedly belong to a Texas oilman who was a regular customer of Wolf & Klar and purchased very ornate Colts and S&Ws of which several are known to old-time collectors. This pistol recently surfaced in Arizona in the hands of an elderly gentleman whose father obtained it in a trade for a horse, along with its fancy tooled S.D. Myers, El Paso marked holster in the 1930’s. One of the best unknown Single Actions to surface in a decade”. Since this gun was sent to Wolf & Klar’s on account in 1929, gold mounted carved grips appear orig from this date and similar are seen on several other special guns in the Wilbur Glahn era. See SN 341995, pgs 564-565 of The Colt Engraving Book – Volume One, R. L. Wilson. Also, of note, is SN 353113, only five SNs different from this gun is also a grade “C” Wilbur Glahn revolver shipped in 1930 with carved ivory steer head grips. This is indeed a stunning Single Action. PROVENANCE: Ex-David Crocker Estate Collection. Special Note: This item(s) contains plant or animal properties that may be covered by the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We have taken care to ensure that this item(s) meets the standard for sale under the ESA. However, certain states and other countries have laws that are more restrictive than the ESA. It is the bidder’s responsibility to ensure that it is lawful to purchase or transport this item(s) into their state, and to obtain the necessary import and export approvals. Delay or failure to obtain any such permit or approval does not relieve the buyer of paying for the item(s) and consummating the purchase. CONDITION: Extremely fine, all matching including cylinder, grips are unnumbered. Has been fired, but very little and retains virtually all of its fine orig factory nickel with possible re-polishing and touch-up on front & back straps which is not detectable. “Elephant ivory” grips are also extremely fine, fit well with good patina. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 50412-32 (30,000-50,000) C&R; ESA – Lot 1136

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*EXTREMELY FINE CUNO HELFRICHT FACTORY ENGRAVED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH CARVED MEXICAN EAGLE PEARL GRIPS OF PIONEER TEXAS FAMILY.

SN 333587. Cal. 45 Colt. Nickel finish with 4-3/4″ 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. Mounted with fine 2-pc pearl grips with a large relief carved Mexican eagle on left side. The heel of left grip is chipped with a solid gold well fit apparently contemporary restoration. SN was observed in three places on bottom of revolver with last four digits on rear face of cylinder. Revolver is classically engraved by Cuno Helfricht with about 40% coverage foliate arabesque patterns with punch dot background. A nearly identically engraved single action is pictured on p. 300 of Colt Engraving, Wilson. Top of back strap, left recoil shield & loading gate are engraved with light sunbursts. Left side of bbl boss on frame & ejector rod housing boss are engraved with hunter stars. Top strap is engraved with snake & dot patterns and the top gullet of ejector rod housing is engraved in a snake pattern. Cyl is engraved with light arabesque patterns on the lands between the flutes and has a light snake pattern around rear edge. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter identifying this revolver as found in 45 Colt with 4-3/4″ bbl, nickel finish, pearl stocks and factory engraved, shipped to Stauffer, Eshleman & Co., New Orleans, LA, c/o: A.J. Anderson Co., Fort Worth, TX on Aug. 17, 1916 in a 2-gun shipment. Of note, the second gun in this shipment, SN 333530, was sold on these floors as Lot 1289, October 29, 1996 and equally in extremely fine condition. Also accompanied by a copy of a hand written note from previous owner stating that this revolver has never been offered for sale publicly or privately until the previous owner purchased it from the family of the person who had purchased it new. He states that the revolver was initially purchased by a Mr. Atkinson who worked for the railroad in Waco, TX and bequeathed it to his daughter of Gatesville, TX. Her husband’s name was Thomas R. McClellan who was a U.S. Navy Rear Admiral with a long Texas history dating back to Coryell County, TX to at least 1864. A bit of genealogy from this family shows that John Bingham Atkinston obtained his law degree from the University of Texas in 1911. He was later Attorney for McLellan County from 1912 to at least 1916 when this gun was made. Is it possible that this was a wedding gift to County Attorney who would no doubt be prosecuting some dangerous types? A few years later,he became an inspector for the IGNR Railroad in Waco, TX. Atkinson, who was outlived by his father-in-law John Scott Paul, also worked for the Texas & Pacific Railroad at the time this gun was made. The McClellan family were well known in the era of this pistol. James Rufus McClellan, known as “Rufe” was District Attorney and Judge responsible for prosecutions including one of the 1914 murder trial of Texas hit man and psychopath Felix Jones. The jury was initially deadlocked and he was released and on the street in 1916 when this gun was purchased. Jones was not nailed on another murder case until 1918. Once newspaper account concerning Felix Jones states “would have killed his mother for a dime”. In 1920, McClellan became a District Judge with a tough reputation of upholding the law. At one point he ordered the destruction of $200 worth of booze during Prohibition that would hardly endear him to the local populace. As a judge, he presided over murder trials including the 1922 trial of a drill master at a local reform school with essentially running a kid to death. This District Attorney and Judge needed protection. PROVENANCE: Atkinson/McClellan Family of Waco and Gatesville, Texas. CONDITION: Very fine to extremely fine, all matching except 2-pc grips which are numbered internally (#354) and appear to be Colt, though probably were added by the owner in Texas as grips lack the medallion seen on factory guns of this date. Grips do fit quite well and the gold restoration to one toe is extremely well executed and unique. Overall retains about 95-96% strong orig nickel finish with light holster wear on left side of bbl and left edge of muzzle with some light wear on front sight, otherwise shows little evidence of having been fired. It will not hold at half-cock and safety notch missing. Bright shiny well defined bore. 50412-39 (25,000-35,000) C&R – Lot 1137

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*BEAUTIFUL AND EXTREMELY FINE WILBUR GLAHN FACTORY ENGRAVED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH CARVED “STEER HEAD” MOTHER-OF-PEARL GRIPS SHIPPED TO FORT WORTH, TEXAS.

SN 349801. Cal. 45. Colt Single Action Army with 5-1/2″ bbl, orig thick front sight and 1-line block letter address. Frame has rampant Colt without circle & 2-line patent dates. SN is marked properly on right side of front & back straps under grip. Fitted with beautiful pearl grips with relief carved steer head with ruby eyes on right side. Frame, cyl, bbl and backstrap have factory engraving by Colt master Wilbur A. Glahn, consisting of about 50% coverage of foliate arabesque patterns with punch dot background. Cyl has patterns between flutes and a wavy border near back edge. Top of backstrap has Glahn’s characteristic ‘V’ shaped design with an arabesque pattern in center of backstrap. It has arabesque design on bottom of heel with light patterns around trigger guard and front trigger guard screw. According to accompanying Colt factory letter, gun shipped January 12, 1927, Order No. 12291/1, sgl gun shipment to Wolf & Klar, Ft. Worth, TX, factory engraved, nickel, 5-1/2″ in 45 Cal. Letter also states shipped with rubber grips, no doubt the deluxe mother-of-pearls are Wolf & Klar products as seen on other Single Actions they sold. Nearly identical examples of Glahns level “B” engraving such as this can be seen on pgs 571-574 of The Colt Engraving Book – Volume Two, R. L. Wilson. This is a magnificent gun with a stunning pair of carved mother-of-pearl grips. CONDITION: Extremely fine to extremely fine, retaining virtually all of its orig nickel, with reductions around edges of backstrap with pitting on those edges. Light holster wear on left side of muzzle. Grips fit well, however there is a 8″ sliver at right inside toe that is missing and has been polished smooth. Mechanically gun functions well with crisp, clean bore. 50412-33 (25,000-40,000) C&R – Lot 1138

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FINE BLACK POWDER ENGRAVED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER INSCRIBED TO MEXICAN PRESIDENT PORFIRIO DIAZ.

SN 23524. Cal 45 Colt. Usual configuration with 4-3/4″ bbl that appears to have been shortened, with relocated full front sight. Top of the bbl has 1-line block letter address and left side of frame has 2-line 2-Patent dates. Ejector housing is second type with bullseye ejector rod head. Mounted with 2-pc pearl grips that have raised carved Mexican eagle on the left side with major repairs & reinforcements on the insides. Revolver is very nicely engraved by L.D.Nimschke with about “C” coverage consisting of foliate arabesque patterns with pearled background. Sides of the bbl boss have crosshatch engraving and top of backstrap has Mr. Nimschke’s typical flower blossom. Backstrap is engraved with a double border leaving a large panel poorly engraved by another hand “PORFIRIO DIAZ”. Buttstrap is engraved in geometric patterns & the trigger bow with a hunters star. Top of the bbl is engraved with chip & dot borders surrounding the bbl address. The relocated front sight was installed through the front end of the engraving. Ejector housing is engraved in geometric and foliate patterns and the cylinder with foliate arabesque patterns on lands between flutes with a narrow border at the rear edge. Bbl has last 4 digits of matching SN under the ejector housing and also on the cylinder. SN’s on the frame & trigger guard appear to have been restamped. Grips are old replacements as they have locator pin holes whereas the trigger guard does not have a locator pin or hole for one. Complete with Colt Factory Letter with the following details.Serial number 23524, Cal. 45/c ,Barrel length not listed , Finish blue , Types of stocks not listed. Shipped to Spies, Kissam and Company New York New York . Date March 31 1876. CONDITION: Fair, all matching as noted above. Traces of orig nickel remain in the most sheltered areas primarily around and under the ejector housing with the balance of the metal a cleaned gray patina. Left side of bbl & recoil shield have moderate pitting. One land on the cylinder is correspondingly pitted. Grips have large chips at the frame & heels with a repaired break in the right side also with a missing chip. Hammer will not hold in the safety notch otherwise mechanics are fine. Strong bore with moderate pitting. 51605-2 JRL (5,000-8,000) – Lot 1139

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*RARE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY SHERIFF’S MODEL WITH TEXAS HISTORY.

SN 305412. Cal 45. This fine Colt Single Action Army has factory letter stating its rare configuration as Sheriff’s Model. Shipped September 28, 1910 to H. L. Dyer (address not listed), though sold to Hibbard, Spencer Bartlett Co, Chicago. Cal is listed as 45 with 4″ bbl, blue finish. H. L. Dyer was a hardware dealer in Richmond, Ft. Bend County, TX. Gun appears fine and “as found”. All orig with matching SNs found on frame, trigger guard and backstrap. Last 4 digits of SN are also found inside each of the orig hard rubber Colt medallion grips. This is a rare found fine example of a Colt Single Action Sheriff’s Model with factory letter. PROVENANCE: Ex-Bruce Bartlett. CONDITION: Fine overall. Bbl and cyl retain 40-50% thinning bright blue finish. Backstrap and trigger guard retain about 20% thinning blue finish. Traces of case color are found on frame and hammer, thought mostly grey with pinprick pitting on right side. Grips are in fine matching condition, well fit with left side losing some of its color to a dark olive/brown. Mechanically gun functions well with crisp bright bore and cyl chambers which still retain blue finish. 50412-31 (20,000-40,000) C&R – Lot 1140

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RARE CASED COLT BISLEY FLATTOP TARGET SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER.

SN 160865. Cal 455 ELEY. Rare Bisley with 7-1/2″ bbl, square base target front sight and V-notch rear sight in a dovetail in the top strap. Bbl has 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 the circle. Bottom of bbl and in the cyl flutes have tiny British proofs. Mounted with extremely rare smooth 2-pc walnut grips with last 4-digits of matching SN inside each grip. Accompanied by a rare English oak, red felt lined casing with brass medallion in the lid and Colt’s Pall Mall label inside the lid. Bottom is compartmented for the revolver, a cartridge block an ebony handled turnscrew and an ebony & brass cleaning rod. Right rear compartment contains a Dixon pewter oil bottle with 2 cleaning jags. There were only about 44,350 of the Bisley revolvers produced 1894-1915 of which only 976 were target models and of those only 180 were in caliber 455 Eley. The bbl on this revolver is without the marking “(BISLEY MODEL)”. From A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver, Graham Kopec & Moore: “The new Target Model’s outstanding performance at England’s famous target shooing matches held at Bisley Common, prompted Colt’s management to redesignate their ‘Special Target’ revolvers as the ‘Bisley Model Target’.” After serial range 161,000 most target models are encountered with bbl markings “(BISLEY MODEL)”. Again according to referenced publication they cite the lack of the Bisley marking between SNs 156,300-160,900 which encompasses our revolver. Another virtually identical Bisley flat top target SN 161396 with identical smooth walnut grips was sold by Julia’s in October 2014. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus, all matching including cylinder & grips. Overall retains about 97-98% glossy orig factory blue with some very minor scattered spots of surface discoloration on the frame & cylinder. Cylinder has a faint line but shows no evidence of ever having been fired. Hammer retains most of its bright fire blue on the edges with bright polish on the sides. The checkered trigger retains about 75% crisp fire blue showing wear on the left top side. Grips are sound with a couple of very minor nicks in the finish and retain virtually all of their factory oil finish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. Case is equally new. 51687-1 JRL (15,000-25,000) – Lot 1141

*VERY RARE COLT BISLEY FLAT TOP TARGET SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER IN .32 COLT.

SN 185427. Cal. 32 Colt. All blue finish with 7-1/2″ bbl. Target front sight with German silver blade and U-notch rear sight in top strap. Bbl has one line block letter address with the left side marked “(BISLEY MODEL) 32 COLT.” Left side of frame has the 2-line 3-patent dates and Rampant Colt in a broken circle. Mounted with checkered Rampant Colt hard rubber grips that have last four digits of matching SN inside each grip. Accompanied by Colt factory letter which identifies this revolver in Cal. 32 Colt with 7-1/2″ bbl, blue finish, type of stocks not listed, and shipped to D. W. Stoddard, address unavailable on June 7, 1899 in a 1-gun shipment. According to the Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Cochran, there were only 24 of these rare revolvers made in this caliber out of the 976 Bisley Target Revolvers produced 1894-1912. This revolver is additionally rare in not having English proofs. The vast majority of all Bisley Flat Top Target Revolvers were sold on the English market. CONDITION: Fine, all matching except cylinder which is currently un-numbered. Bbl retains 87-90% glossy orig blue with scattered spots of rust and a couple of small cleaned areas. Ejector housing retains about 60-65% orig blue, mostly in the gullets, showing moderate pitting on the outer radius. Frame retains about 90% orig blue showing sharp edge wear and wear to the recoil shield & loading gate. Front & backstraps and trigger bow are a grey patina. Cylinder retains thin blue on the outer diameter with strong blue in the flutes. Hammer retains brilliant case colors on sides and rear edge. Screws retain most of orig fire blue. Left grip has a chip by toe, otherwise grips are sound showing light diamond point wear and turning slightly chocolate. Hammer is not solid in safety or half-cock notches. Otherwise, mechanics are fine. Bright shiny bore with a few scattered spots of pitting. 51765-1 (10,000-15,000) C&R – Lot 1142

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*ENGRAVED COLT BISLEY SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER WITH BELT AND HOLSTER.

SN 193124. Cal 38 WCF (38-40). Nickel finish with 4-3/4″ bbl, full front sight and 2 line address, marked on left side “(BISLEY MODEL) 38 W.C.F.”. Left side of frame has 2 line 3 Patent dates and Rampant Colt in a circle. Mounted with 2-pc pearl grips with raised carved spread-winged eagle on left side. Engraving appears to be factory from the Cuno Helfricht shop. Engraving consists of about C coverage foliate arabesque patterns with pearled background and Mr. Helfricht’s trademark sunbursts on the recoil shield & loading gate. Top of the backstrap, around the hammer slot is engraved in his trademark fan pattern with geometric patterns down the backstrap, on the buttstrap & trigger bow. Matching patterns to the frame extend up both sides of the bbl and around the address. Top strap has leaf & vine patterns with a snake pattern in top gullet of ejector housing. Cylinder is engraved with Mr. Helfricht’s trademark alternating patterns on the lands between the flutes. Accompanied by a Colt Factory letter which identifies this revolver in caliber 44 with 4-3/4″ bbl, nickel finish, type of stocks not listed, factory engraved and shipped to Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. Chicago, IL February 22, 1900 in a one gun shipment. Also accompanied by an unmarked money/cartridge belt that is 34″ with a replaced tongue billet which has extended the length by about 3″. Belt is made of 2 pieces of fine russet brown leather, 2-5/8″ wide with tooled patterns and 41 sewn-on cartridge loops, Buckle billet is originally sewn on with a single rivet with a brass D-ring buckle. The belt is mounted with a fine, fully tooled double loop, left hand holster marked on the inside of the skirt “T.W. MCDONALD / LEAD, SO. DAK.”. This rare rig being left-handed with a left hand pearl grip leads one to believe that it is an orig set. According to Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Cochran there were fewer than 60 Bisley revolvers factory engraved of which, at the time of the printing only 54 were known. CONDITION: Fine. Overall retains about 98-99% restored nickel finish with only slight muzzle edge wear on the left side and tip of the ejector housing. There is a small area of pitting under the finish on the cylinder. Grip has a small chip at the frame on the left side and a couple other tiny chips, otherwise is sound showing great fire & color. Mechanics are crisp, strong, sharp bore with fine pitting. Belt has a somewhat crackled surface with one broken cartridge loop. Holster shows moderate to heavy wear on the loops & toe and shows a somewhat worn dark patina. Altogether a fine rig. 51619-2 JRL (15,000-25,000) C&R – Lot 1143

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*COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER IN A RARE CALIBER.

SN 185460. Cal 38 Colt. Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2″ 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 Rampant Colt hard rubber grips that are un-numbered but fit well and may be original to this revolver. According to Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Cochran there were 2,376 single actions produced in this caliber out of the 357,859 revolvers built 1873-1940 which makes this a very rare caliber in this model. Accompanied by a Colt Factory letter which identifies this revolver in caliber 38 Colt with 7-1/2″ bbl, blue finish, type of stocks not listed and shipped to The Colt Agency in San Francisco, CA, May 3, 1899 in a 1 gun shipment. Given the rather puny caliber it is unusual to find a large revolver so chambered. It likely was intended as a target pistol or possibly for a lady or youngster. CONDITION: Very fine as probably restored by Tommy Haas, all matching except grips,as noted. Cylinder is also un-numbered. Bbl & ejector housing retain about 98% glossy factory style blue with some light scratches on outer radius of ejector housing. Frame & hammer retain virtually all of their case colors, lightly faded. Cylinder retains 93-95% glossy factory style blue with a couple small areas of flaking and a very light cylinder line. Backstrap retains about 90-92% strong blue with a few light scratches and wear at the heel. Front strap & trigger guard retain about 95-96% strong blue. Grips show very light diamond point wear with the left side turning slightly chocolate. Hammer is not solid in the safety notch, otherwise mechanics are fine. Strong bore with light pitting. Screws are crisp and retain most of their fire blue. 51805-3 (6,000-9,000) C&R – Lot 1144

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FIRST GENERATION COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER THAT BELONGED TO THE LONE RANGER ACTOR JOHN HART.

SN 170683. Cal 45 COLT. Usual configuration 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 broken circle. Mounted with old replacement 2-pc bone grips. This revolver was the property of the prolific movie actor John Hart who portrayed the character of The Lone Ranger on television for 2 years, 1952-1953, starring in 52 episodes of that series replacing the original Lone Ranger, Clayton Moore. John Hart’s acting career began in 1938 with a role in the movie The Buccaneer and other “B” movies. World War II interrupted his career as an actor, after which, in 1947 he had the title role in the movie serial Jack Armstrong. He stayed with the movie industry until his 2 year stint as the Lone Ranger after which he costarred with Lon Chaney Jr. in the TV show Hawkeye and then The Last of the Mohicans. He also starred in other programs including Skyking, Rawhide, Sgt. Preston and even had a role in the very famous night time series Dallas. In 1981 he resumed his role as the Lone Ranger in the theatrical production Legend of The Lone Ranger. He also had supporting roles in The Ten Commandments and Viva Las Vegas. He also worked behind the scenes in numerous other productions for television. He is quoted as stating “I had big parts in lousy movies and lousy parts in big movies. I never made a lot of money, but it sure was fun”. He has a star on the Hollywood Sidewalk of Fame and in June 2001 the U.S. House of Representatives paid tribute to him with an entry into the Congressional record titled Who was that Masked Man? which included Mr. Hart’s biography, mentioning that he had appeared in over 300 TV shows and movies along with a lengthy resume of behind the camera work. Accompanied by an undated handwritten letter addressed to the late Ron Bullock over the signature of John Hart / The Lone Ranger, wherein he states that this revolver, identified by serial number was his personal gun for many years. There is another undated letter addressed to Bill Shugars over the signature of John Hart wherein he again identifies this revolver and gives a history of how he acquired it. He states that he bought it from one of the old cowboys but couldn’t remember from whom. He states that its likely this revolver appears in several westerns. Also accompanied by an autographed photo of John Hart as the Lone Ranger in costume with his horse Silver with the inscription “To Bill Shugars. / Colt. SAA #170683 / Is a great old gun. / Enjoy it as I have.” over the signature of Mr. Hart. All of the signatures are accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity of Mr. Hart’s autograph by his agent Mick LaFever CONDITION: Very good. No orig finish remains being an overall cleaned gray metal patina with fine pitting around the muzzle, on the front sight & outer radius of ejector housing. Frame is matching patina with fine pin-pricks of pitting around the forcing cone area and on loading gate. Backstrap, buttstrap & trigger guard are matching patina as is the cylinder. Grips are sound showing heavy wear but no abuse. Hammer is not solid in safety or half cock notches, otherwise mechanics are fine. Worn dark bore with moderate to heavy pitting as expected from movie blanks. 51697-1 JRL (8,500-12,500) – Lot 1145

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*EXTREMELY FINE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

SN 316046. Cal. 38 WCF (38-40). Blue and color case hardened with 4-3/4″ bbl, full front sight, 2-line address with “38 W.C.F.” on left side. Left side frame has 2-line 3-patent dates and Rampant Colt in circle. Mounted with 2-pc Rampant Colt hard rubber grips that have last 4 digits of SN scratched inside each grip. Accompanied by a Colt Factory letter identifying revolver as: .38/40 cal, 4-3/4″ bbl, blue finish, shipped to Witte Hardware Company, St. Louis MO on January 10, 1911, with 2 guns in this shipment. PROVENANCE: Ex-Tony Smith; Ex-Robert Howard Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very fine to extremely fine, all matching except cyl which is unnumbered but undoubtedly orig to revolver. Bbl and ejector rod housing retain about 96% glossy orig blue with only slight muzzle edge wear. Frame and hammer retain virtually all of their lightly faded orig case colors with staining on left side of frame, thin on top strap. Cylinder retains about 95% orig blue with light drag line. Grips are sound with light diamond point wear. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. 50412-27 (7,500-9,500) C&R – Lot 1146

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*EXTREMELY FINE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH IVORY GRIPS.

SN 352218. Cal. 38. 5-1/2″ bbl with single line address “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .38 SPECIAL” on left side. Frame is marked on left side with 2-line patents with rampant Colt. Matching SNs found on frame, backstrap and trigger guard. Special Note: This item(s) contains plant or animal properties that may be covered by the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We have taken care to ensure that this item(s) meets the standard for sale under the ESA. However, certain states and other countries have laws that are more restrictive than the ESA. It is the bidder’s responsibility to ensure that it is lawful to purchase or transport this item(s) into their state, and to obtain the necessary import and export approvals. Delay or failure to obtain any such permit or approval does not relieve the buyer of paying for the item(s) and consummating the purchase. CONDITION: Gun shows little use with light muzzle wear on left side. Retains virtually all of its orig blue on bbl and ejector housing. Cyl retains 98% blue with drag line and edge wear. Trigger guard and backstrap retain 97% blue with wear on backstrap. Frame, hammer and trigger retain most of their case colors with recoil shields a silver/grey. 2-pc custom, smooth “elephant ivory” grips appear orig from time of use of gun, though not factory manufactured and a slimmer cut, ivory patina with craquelure on butt. Mechanically fine with crisp shiny bore. 50412-35 (7,500-9,500) C&R; ESA – Lot 1147

*RARE 357 MAGNUM PRE-WAR SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

SN 356955. Cal. 357 Magnum. Blue & case colored with 5-1/2″ bbl, very slightly trimmed orig front sight with 1-line block letter address & left side of bbl roll marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .357”. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates with rampant Colt and mounted with Colt factory silver medallion, smooth ivory grips. Rear face of cylinder, between two chambers, has last two digits of serial number and front face of cylinder has a small star. Serial number was also observed on right side of front & back straps, under grip. Inside left grip is pencil number “46” & grease pencil name “LG BROWN”. Accompanied by a Colt Factory letter with limited information which only states that this revolver was manufactured Aug. 28, 1939 and sent to shipping room Aug. 30, 1939 and that it was furnished in 357 Magnum caliber. There were no other details. According to the book Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Cochran, only 525 of these rare pre-WWII revolvers were ever made in this caliber. Special Note: This item(s) contains plant or animal properties that may be covered by the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We have taken care to ensure that this item(s) meets the standard for sale under the ESA. However, certain states and other countries have laws that are more restrictive than the ESA. It is the bidder’s responsibility to ensure that it is lawful to purchase or transport this item(s) into their state, and to obtain the necessary import and export approvals. Delay or failure to obtain any such permit or approval does not relieve the buyer of paying for the item(s) and consummating the purchase. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus, all matching. Overall retains 99%+ orig finish with glossy bright blue & vivid case colors with only very, very slight muzzle edge wear & some minor drag scratches on cylinder. Grips are also matching exceptionally fine condition with ivory patina. Two small cut notches are found on inner toes of each grip. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 51785-1 JS (6,000-8,000) C&R; ESA – Lot 1148

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*FIRST GENERATION COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

SN 346923. Cal. 45 Colt. Nickel finish with 4-3/4″ bbl, full front sight & 2-line address with Cal. marking on left side. Left side of frame has 2-line 3-patent dates and Rampant Colt without circle. SN is found on the frame and right sides of the front and backstraps under the grip. Rear face of cyl is marked with last 2 digits of matching SN. Mounted with Colt Silver Medallion factory 2-pc, smooth ivory grips. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter which identifies this revolver in Cal. 45 Colt with 4-3/4″ bbl, nickel finish, ivory grips and sold to Costephens Hardware Co., shipped to Simmons Hardware Co, St. Louis, MO on Sept 24, 1925, factory order #10422/1 in a 1-gun shipment. Many of the sidearms of this era saw very hard use especially in the Western part of the United States and are rarely found today with high orig finish. PROVENANCE: Ex-Brad Shepard Collection. Special Note: This item(s) contains plant or animal properties that may be covered by the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We have taken care to ensure that this item(s) meets the standard for sale under the ESA. However, certain states and other countries have laws that are more restrictive than the ESA. It is the bidder’s responsibility to ensure that it is lawful to purchase or transport this item(s) into their state, and to obtain the necessary import and export approvals. Delay or failure to obtain any such permit or approval does not relieve the buyer of paying for the item(s) and consummating the purchase. CONDITION: Very fine to extremely fine, all matching including cyl, grips are unnumbered. Overall retains 97-98% strong orig nickel with only very light holster wear on left side of muzzle and tip of ejector tube. Grips have a few age lines and a chip/piece missing from left grip bottom, otherwise are sound with a wonderful, mellow ivory patina. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. 50902-1 (5,000-8,000) C&R; ESA – Lot 1149

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*CUSTOM BUILT AND ENGRAVED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER IN AN UNUSUAL CALIBER.

SN SA61860. Cal 9 MM. Nickel finish with 7-1/2″ bbl, full thick front sight, 1-line block letter address with model & caliber marking on left side. Left side of frame has 2-line 3 patent dates and the Rampant Colt trademark. Serial number was observed on bottom of frame and right side of front & backstraps under the grip. Mounted with factory orig silver medallion smooth ivory grips. Revolver is lightly engraved on the cylinder & bbl in very detailed foliate arabesque patterns with very fine pearled background. Frame is not engraved. All of the screws, hammer, trigger, base pin & ejector rod head are brilliant fire blued. Accompanied by a handwritten letter on Colt stationery dated January 11, 2017 over the signature of “Don Cox” wherein he states that he built this gun from parts of a 44 caliber revolver and the bbl, cylinder, grips & ejector rod tube purchased at a gun show. He states that he had the late Howard Dove do the engraving and finishing as well as fitting the grips. He states that he did the assembly and “rework” on the bbl & cylinder. Don Cox was a Custom Gunsmith for Colt at the plant for many years. Special Note: This item(s) contains plant or animal properties that may be covered by the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We have taken care to ensure that this item(s) meets the standard for sale under the ESA. However, certain states and other countries have laws that are more restrictive than the ESA. It is the bidder’s responsibility to ensure that it is lawful to purchase or transport this item(s) into their state, and to obtain the necessary import and export approvals. Delay or failure to obtain any such permit or approval does not relieve the buyer of paying for the item(s) and consummating the purchase. CONDITION: Extremely fine. Overall retains virtually 100% of its fine custom nickel & fire blue finish. Grips are equally fine with a mellow ivory patina. Revolver appears to be new & unfired. 51720-1 JRL (7,500-9,500) ESA – Lot 1150

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