RARE IDENTIFIED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER THAT BELONGED TO A MURDERER.

RARE IDENTIFIED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER THAT BELONGED TO A MURDERER. Cal. 44 WCF (44-40). SN 89678. Usual configuration with 7-1/2” bbl, slightly altered front sight with 1-pc walnut grip. Grip is crudely carved on left side “L SPROLE”. Near frame on left side is stamped “JW”. Right side of grip has one deep notch. Bottom of bbl, by ejector rod housing, is hand stamped in tiny letters “PROP. USDCWDA”. This stands for Property of U.S. District Court, Western District, Arkansas, which is a marking applied to property seized from convicted criminals in Judge Parker’s court. It is likely that once Sprole was hanged this revolver remained in the court property room and was issued or loaned to law enforcement officers for many years thereafter. It is entirely possible that it could have been given to one of the Deputy U.S. Marshals. Accompanied by a very early triple loop tooled holster with four silver conchos. Holster is nicely tooled with scallops and other small decorations. Also accompanied by a small German silver Deputy U.S. Marshal badge that appears to be authentic. The owner previous to the consignor stated to this cataloguer that he had purchased it from a museum out west when they were de-ascessioning items from the museum. There is a small brass museum tag accompanying the holster which bears the stamped number “209”. Additionally accompanied by a very large packet of information regarding the arrest & trial of Lincoln Sprole for the murder of Benjamin F. Clark and his son, Alexander Clark, in 1885 in Indian Territory. Sprole was tried by the hanging judge, Isaac C. Parker, on April 30, 1886, found guilty and sentenced to hang on July 23, 1886. Sentence was carried out and so noted on a document filed on Sept. 20, 1886. Also accompanied by a Colt Factory letter identifying this revolver with bbl length & type of stocks not listed as having been shipped April 24, 1883 to Simmons Hardware Co., St. Louis, MO in a shipment of fifty same type guns. CONDITION: Fair to good. Traces of orig finish remain in the most sheltered areas, being mostly a smooth silver/brown patina. Grip is very worn & slightly shrunken and battered on bottom with corresponding nicks & dings on buttstrap. Screws are somewhat battered. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with light to moderate pitting. Holster shows heavy wear with a variety of holes & repairs but is reasonably intact & serviceable. Badge is moderately tarnished on front with heavy tarnish on back. 4-31163 JR485 (25,000-35,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2007

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
	1245	$0.00	RARE IDENTIFIED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER THAT BELONGED TO A MURDERER. Cal. 44 WCF (44-40). SN 89678. Usual configuration with 7-1/2” bbl, slightly altered front sight with 1-pc walnut grip. Grip is crudely carved on left side “L SPROLE”. Near frame on left side is stamped “JW”. Right side of grip has one deep notch. Bottom of bbl, by ejector rod housing, is hand stamped in tiny letters “PROP. USDCWDA”. This stands for Property of U.S. District Court, Western District, Arkansas, which is a marking applied to property seized from convicted criminals in Judge Parker’s court. It is likely that once Sprole was hanged this revolver remained in the court property room and was issued or loaned to law enforcement officers for many years thereafter. It is entirely possible that it could have been given to one of the Deputy U.S. Marshals. Accompanied by a very early triple loop tooled holster with four silver conchos. Holster is nicely tooled with scallops and other small decorations. Also accompanied by a small German silver Deputy U.S. Marshal badge that appears to be authentic. The owner previous to the consignor stated to this cataloguer that he had purchased it from a museum out west when they were de-ascessioning items from the museum. There is a small brass museum tag accompanying the holster which bears the stamped number “209”. Additionally accompanied by a very large packet of information regarding the arrest & trial of Lincoln Sprole for the murder of Benjamin F. Clark and his son, Alexander Clark, in 1885 in Indian Territory. Sprole was tried by the hanging judge, Isaac C. Parker, on April 30, 1886, found guilty and sentenced to hang on July 23, 1886. Sentence was carried out and so noted on a document filed on Sept. 20, 1886. Also accompanied by a Colt Factory letter identifying this revolver with bbl length & type of stocks not listed as having been shipped April 24, 1883 to Simmons Hardware Co., St. Louis, MO in a shipment of fifty same type guns. CONDITION: Fair to good. Traces of orig finish remain in the most sheltered areas, being mostly a smooth silver/brown patina. Grip is very worn & slightly shrunken and battered on bottom with corresponding nicks & dings on buttstrap. Screws are somewhat battered. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with light to moderate pitting. Holster shows heavy wear with a variety of holes & repairs but is reasonably intact & serviceable. Badge is moderately tarnished on front with heavy tarnish on back. 4-31163 JR485 (25,000-35,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2007 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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