HISTORIC COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY REVOLVER.

HISTORIC COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY REVOLVER. Cal. 44 Perc. This revolver was the property of Mr. Ed Watson and was consigned by his grandson. Ed Watson was from Vincennes, IN and left home on March 4th, 1867 bound for the West. Prior to his leaving for the west , he had been employed in Cincinnati ,Ohio at a large mercantile company and apparently had made arrangements with this company to supply him with goods and sundries once he was established in the west. Ed Watson traveled by train to the end of the track, which was under construction, to meet the Union Pacific to form the Trans Continental Railway. When he reached the end of the track, he set up a tent-store and began selling his merchandise, which, according to family legend, consisted of firearms and ammunition, household goods and tools. Mr. Watson continued following the railroad, packing his store into a freight wagon and traveling to the next “end of track”. This route brought him to Cheyenne, Dakota Territory, where there is a record that on September 4th, 1867 he purchased a commercial license for $12.50. Mr. Watson traveled on with the railroad, ultimately winding up at Promontory Point, Utah and witnessed the driving on the golden spike to join the two railroads. He then traveled on to California, where he remained for a time, owning a partnership in a “store” called Watson & Barnhardt in San Francisco. Mr. Watson was in Bear River City when the Bear River City Riot took place on November 20th, 1868, lead by one Thomas J. Smith. Smith was later sheriff of Abilene, Texas and was killed in a gunfight and was replaced by Wild Bill Hickock. Later, on December 17th, Mr. Watson was camping in Echo Canyon when Smith rode into his camp. Smith apparently stated that he had been run out of Bear River City as was being chased by five men mounted with Henrys and rope. He eventually returned to Indiana in 1875, where he became very prominent in politics and a very wealthy industrialist. He owned the Union Depot Hotel in Vincennes. He was involved in railroading, owned a steel mill, a shoe factory and a glass factory. He died in 1926 and is buried in Vincennes. During all Mr. Watson’s travels he maintained a series of diaries, which are contained in three small books that are currently on loan to the American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY. We have excerpts of transcriptions from these diaries and the successful bidder will have access to the consignor for additional information. This entire lot consists of this fine Colt revolver, a wonderful and rare “Freund & Bros.” Slim Jim decorated belt holster for the Model 1860, a fine buffalo hide belt covered with elk skin, decorated with spectacular ultra-fine beadwork of trillium and hearts. The belt is 1860’s period with a Civil War-style brass buckle and brass hook. Also accompanying is photograph of Ed Watson dated on the back 1870 and signed by Mr. Watson. It bears the mark of BF Howland & Co. photographers of San Francisco. The belt beadwork has been identified as Shoshone, specifically from Fort Bridger, where Mr. Watson, according to his diaries, spent some time. SN 177394. CONDITION: The revolver is very good with the bbl retaining 25-30% thin original finish in sheltered areas with the balance turned brown. Cylinder retains 35-40% bright shiny blue and most of the original cylinder scene. Frame retains 40-50% very dark faded case colors. Backstrap, 15-20% original blue in the sheltered area at the top of the backstrap and the bottom of the butt with the balance a gray-brown. Triggerguard is a light mustard patina. This revolver is all matching, except the wedge, which is un-numbered. The bore is strong and bright with scattered pitting. Wedge screw is battered and there are light dings around the wedge opening on the right side. Grips are outstanding retaining 95-97% strong bright original varnish. Holster is dark and oil stained, flexed around the triggerguard slot with the seam down the back edge missing all the stitching. Belt is dark and flexed with crackled surface where the buffalo hide is exposed. The elk skin is dark and stained showing heavy wear but supple. The beading is missing a few spots here and there, but generally intact with the colors vivid and bright. Photograph is fine. A fine historical set that further research and contact with the consignor, may develop much more information. 4-46982 JR494 (10,000-20,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2002

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
	1519	$0.00	HISTORIC COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY REVOLVER. Cal. 44 Perc. This revolver was the property of Mr. Ed Watson and was consigned by his grandson. Ed Watson was from Vincennes, IN and left home on March 4th, 1867 bound for the West. Prior to his leaving for the west , he had been employed in Cincinnati ,Ohio at a large mercantile company and apparently had made arrangements with this company to supply him with goods and sundries once he was established in the west. Ed Watson traveled by train to the end of the track, which was under construction, to meet the Union Pacific to form the Trans Continental Railway. When he reached the end of the track, he set up a tent-store and began selling his merchandise, which, according to family legend, consisted of firearms and ammunition, household goods and tools. Mr. Watson continued following the railroad, packing his store into a freight wagon and traveling to the next “end of track”. This route brought him to Cheyenne, Dakota Territory, where there is a record that on September 4th, 1867 he purchased a commercial license for $12.50. Mr. Watson traveled on with the railroad, ultimately winding up at Promontory Point, Utah and witnessed the driving on the golden spike to join the two railroads. He then traveled on to California, where he remained for a time, owning a partnership in a “store” called Watson & Barnhardt in San Francisco. Mr. Watson was in Bear River City when the Bear River City Riot took place on November 20th, 1868, lead by one Thomas J. Smith. Smith was later sheriff of Abilene, Texas and was killed in a gunfight and was replaced by Wild Bill Hickock. Later, on December 17th, Mr. Watson was camping in Echo Canyon when Smith rode into his camp. Smith apparently stated that he had been run out of Bear River City as was being chased by five men mounted with Henrys and rope. He eventually returned to Indiana in 1875, where he became very prominent in politics and a very wealthy industrialist. He owned the Union Depot Hotel in Vincennes. He was involved in railroading, owned a steel mill, a shoe factory and a glass factory. He died in 1926 and is buried in Vincennes. During all Mr. Watson’s travels he maintained a series of diaries, which are contained in three small books that are currently on loan to the American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY. We have excerpts of transcriptions from these diaries and the successful bidder will have access to the consignor for additional information. This entire lot consists of this fine Colt revolver, a wonderful and rare “Freund & Bros.” Slim Jim decorated belt holster for the Model 1860, a fine buffalo hide belt covered with elk skin, decorated with spectacular ultra-fine beadwork of trillium and hearts. The belt is 1860’s period with a Civil War-style brass buckle and brass hook. Also accompanying is photograph of Ed Watson dated on the back 1870 and signed by Mr. Watson. It bears the mark of BF Howland & Co. photographers of San Francisco. The belt beadwork has been identified as Shoshone, specifically from Fort Bridger, where Mr. Watson, according to his diaries, spent some time. SN 177394. CONDITION: The revolver is very good with the bbl retaining 25-30% thin original finish in sheltered areas with the balance turned brown. Cylinder retains 35-40% bright shiny blue and most of the original cylinder scene. Frame retains 40-50% very dark faded case colors. Backstrap, 15-20% original blue in the sheltered area at the top of the backstrap and the bottom of the butt with the balance a gray-brown. Triggerguard is a light mustard patina. This revolver is all matching, except the wedge, which is un-numbered. The bore is strong and bright with scattered pitting. Wedge screw is battered and there are light dings around the wedge opening on the right side. Grips are outstanding retaining 95-97% strong bright original varnish. Holster is dark and oil stained, flexed around the triggerguard slot with the seam down the back edge missing all the stitching. Belt is dark and flexed with crackled surface where the buffalo hide is exposed. The elk skin is dark and stained showing heavy wear but supple. The beading is missing a few spots here and there, but generally intact with the colors vivid and bright. Photograph is fine. A fine historical set that further research and contact with the consignor, may develop much more information. 4-46982 JR494 (10,000-20,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2002 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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