EXTREMELY RARE, IMPORTANT AND HISTORIC “TOMBSTONE” LOT CONSISTING OF A GENUINE SAMUEL L. HART MARKED COLT REVOLVER AND AN EVEN RARER “SPANGENBERG TOMBSTONE A.T.” MARKED LOOP HOLSTER.

EXTREMELY RARE, IMPORTANT AND HISTORIC “TOMBSTONE” LOT CONSISTING OF A GENUINE SAMUEL L. HART MARKED COLT REVOLVER AND AN EVEN RARER “SPANGENBERG TOMBSTONE A.T.” MARKED LOOP HOLSTER. SN 112050. 45 long Colt cal, altered 5″ round bbl, blue finish w/hard rubber grips. In the history of the West there are certain iconic events that seem to epitomize the very essence of the history and happenings of that period. Without question when one thinks of the West and they think of cowboys, gun battles and guns blazing, one of the foremost events that flash in the forefront of almost everyone’s mind is the gun fight at O.K. Corral. Although the gun fight itself lasted for perhaps less than 60 seconds, the story, the fallout and the legends which erupted on that day in Tombstone, within a short period of time was disseminated throughout North America and eventually the world. In this famous battle “the lawmen” represented by Wyatt Earp, Morgan Earp, Virgil Earp and Doc Holiday confronted “the cowboys”. A number of events and confrontations had occurred between the two factions over a period of time, and it finally came to a head on Wednesday afternoon around 3 p.m. October 26, 1881, near the O.K. Corral. During the ensuing gun battle the purpose of the lawmen was to disarm the cowboys who were illegally carrying guns into the town. The cowboys had made various threats regarding the Earps, which later proved to be their undoing. The cowboys were represented by Billy Clanton, Tom McLaury and his brother, Frank McLaury. Also Billy Claiborne and Ike Clanton were there at the commencement of the battle but both were smart enough to run away. Billy Clanton was killed in the gun fight, along with both McLaury’s. All of the lawman sustained some wounds with the exception of Wyatt Earp. Before the battle took place, it is stated that the Clantons and Mclaury’s both purchased ammunition at Spangenberg’s gun shop just a short ways away the morning before the gunfight. Roughly across the street and at a diagonal was S.L. Hart’s gunshop (enclosed is a diagram of the layout of the town at the time depicting the location of Hart’s gunshop, Spangenberg’s gun shop and the actual gunfight). Some accounts claim Hart to have been a witness to the gunfights. Spangenberg’s gunshop was down Fourth Street next to the same block in which the gunfight erupted. These two historic items were marketed by the only two gun stores in Tombstone at the time of the battle. Spangenberg essentially was a gun store selling guns and ammunition, however Hart, in addition to selling guns and ammunition, repaired guns. In fact, he was an expert gunsmith. Hart was a civil war veteran who became an officer and served with distinction and the signal corp. He was also a brilliant machinist and in May of 1880 he arrived in Tombstone looking for an opportunity. A letter to his wife on May 16th (a photocopy of which is included with this lot) urges her to immediately pack up his tools and send them to him. He goes on to state that “while there is a gun dealer here, there is really no gunsmith” and he felt that Tombstone presented an excellent opportunity for him to do very well. He reasoned that if she could send the tools out immediately, he could begin making good money and eventually be able to afford to move his entire family to Tombstone. This is exactly what he did do. Hart purchased military issued Colts from the government, reconditioned and sometimes altered the guns putting them in excellent working order and then resold them out of his shop on Freemont Street. Each gun that he handled was “signed” by him with the initials usually on or very near the 3-line patent markings on the left side of the Colt receivers. The initials “S.L.” were stamped and immediately beneath it were two heart symbols. In addition to being an expert gunsmith and machinist, Hart eventually held several patents for various machines he had manufactured. He was an outstanding citizen in the town of Tombstone and later, in 1890, he and his family moved to Tucson. In July of 1893 he died of cancer. The Hart revolver has a bit more of interesting history. According to a factory letter from Colt, it was originally shipped to the U.S. Government on October 30, 1884. At the time the gun had a standard 7-1/2″ bbl, blue finish with wood grips. However documentation included with the gun provides further history. After it was sold through Hart’s shop in Tombstone, it eventually found its way to Wilson Farms in Dryden, NY, near Saracuse. A man by the name of Wallace Haviland arrived at the farm sometime around 1898. He worked on the farm and according to people that knew him, he was not only a good worker but did not drink or smoke and seemed to get along with people. A year later he left and then returned about a year later. At the time that he returned, he returned with this Colt and holster. To the owners of the farm he had explained that he had worked out in AZ driving a stage coach. Later when he left, for some reason, he left the Colt and holster (with one original round in the chamber, included in this lot) hanging from a nail in the bunkhouse. Owners of the farm later tried to contact Haviland to ship his gun to him, but no one could determine where he lived. The gun stayed on the farm until around 1965 when it was acquired by a Mr. Al Atterbury. Mr. Alfred Atterbury began a very serious and long-term research project attempting to learn what the S.L., double heart stamp marks on the side of the gun meant, and in addition, attempted to find some history about Haviland himself. At some point he received information that Haviland was said to be a notorious character, or at least accused of such and was hung in a federal prison in AZ territory sometime before the turn of the century. Despite a great deal of research, he was unable to confirm this rumor. During the course of Mr. Atterbury’s quest for knowledge about the gun and holster, he actually took a trip to Tombstone. He corresponded with numerous gun authorities of the day, including of course Mr. John Kopec, Staff Editor Chuck Suydam, Richard Atkinson, the Arizona Historical Society and many others. After many years of research Mr. Atterbury composed a detailed review of the gun, its history and shed what was at that time considerable insight and knowledge on the mysterious S.L., double heart markings. Most collectors during these early days knew nothing about Samuel L. Hart and it was in part the considerable work that Mr. Atterbury did that expanded the knowledge on this gifted gunsmith. The Colt currently has a 5″ bbl which is marked with the 1-line address on top and the 3-line patent date marking on the left side of the frame, together with the typical U.S. marks, also double stamped “S.L.” above two hearts. The bottom of the bbl is marked with a “P” and “D.F.C.” which stand for the inspector marks of David F. Clark. The cyl is numbered 2050 and has a “P” and “D.F.C.” inspection marks. D.F.C. is also found on the bottom of the frame above the serial numbers. Below the SN on the trigger guard and the backstrap are the letters “G”, the inspection mark of Captain John E. Greer. The bbl has a brass blade front sight and the injector rod retains the correct round bulls eye head. Matching SNs appear on the frame, trigger guard, backstrap. The loading gate, however, carries the assembly number 514. The gun is fitted with checkered hard rubber Rampant Colt and Eagle grips. Only a handful of his signed guns exist today, and this is one of those great rarities, but of equal significance is the extraordinary rare Spangenberg holster. Spangenberg, as was indicated earlier, was a gun dealer on Fourth Street and had set up business before Hart had arrived. He sold guns and ammunition and made a feeble attempt at repairing guns from time to time until Hart began his business. Spangenberg himself proved to be a bit of a notorious character, and supposedly sometime after the gunfight at O.K. Coral, he closed his gun shop and moved south of Tucson, AZ, where he took a job at a mining company. He apparently had made enemies at some point in his life. One night while in a bar at Tucson he was threatened by a man but nothing became of it. A few days later four men came looking for Spangenberg who was working in a tool shed. The four of them apparently intent on killing him, came into the tool shed after him. Three of them were killed in the tool shed, the fourth killed outside all by Spagenberg. Spagenberg then made a hasty retreat from the area, purchased a ticket on the local stage and got out of town as soon as possible. This Spagenberg holster is extremely rare and is constructed of one piece of medium weight dark stained russet leather and handsewn with a single loop. The upper front of the holster carries his brand or stamp and only a portion of which can be discernible “SPANG/GUNS/TOMBS” all within a rectangular box. The brand when applied fully read “SPANGENBERG/GUNSMITH/TOMBSTONE AT.” There is also an “80” stamped on the flap near the loop. CONDITION: Very good. The entire surface of the metal gun has a model gray smooth patina with miniscule pitting near the recoil shield and on the left side of the frame. There are some traces and in some cases, strong traces, of orig blue finish in areas that were protected, on the trigger guard and on top of the bbl at the breech. The grips are good but have moderate to heavy wear. Also as expected a few dents and dings, but retain much of its checkering. The markings on the grips are still clear. The holster appears fine and the leather is still pliable. This is an extraordinary lot and a unique opportunity to acquire two very, very rare historic Western items from two well-known Western characters both from one of the most famous Western towns in the history of the West. As they say, “If only these items could talk.” 4-46582 JDJ54 (35,000-45,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012

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
	1387	$0.00	EXTREMELY RARE, IMPORTANT AND HISTORIC “TOMBSTONE” LOT CONSISTING OF A GENUINE SAMUEL L. HART MARKED COLT REVOLVER AND AN EVEN RARER “SPANGENBERG TOMBSTONE A.T.” MARKED LOOP HOLSTER. SN 112050. 45 long Colt cal, altered 5″ round bbl, blue finish w/hard rubber grips. In the history of the West there are certain iconic events that seem to epitomize the very essence of the history and happenings of that period. Without question when one thinks of the West and they think of cowboys, gun battles and guns blazing, one of the foremost events that flash in the forefront of almost everyone’s mind is the gun fight at O.K. Corral. Although the gun fight itself lasted for perhaps less than 60 seconds, the story, the fallout and the legends which erupted on that day in Tombstone, within a short period of time was disseminated throughout North America and eventually the world. In this famous battle “the lawmen” represented by Wyatt Earp, Morgan Earp, Virgil Earp and Doc Holiday confronted “the cowboys”. A number of events and confrontations had occurred between the two factions over a period of time, and it finally came to a head on Wednesday afternoon around 3 p.m. October 26, 1881, near the O.K. Corral. During the ensuing gun battle the purpose of the lawmen was to disarm the cowboys who were illegally carrying guns into the town. The cowboys had made various threats regarding the Earps, which later proved to be their undoing. The cowboys were represented by Billy Clanton, Tom McLaury and his brother, Frank McLaury. Also Billy Claiborne and Ike Clanton were there at the commencement of the battle but both were smart enough to run away. Billy Clanton was killed in the gun fight, along with both McLaury’s. All of the lawman sustained some wounds with the exception of Wyatt Earp. Before the battle took place, it is stated that the Clantons and Mclaury’s both purchased ammunition at Spangenberg’s gun shop just a short ways away the morning before the gunfight. Roughly across the street and at a diagonal was S.L. Hart’s gunshop (enclosed is a diagram of the layout of the town at the time depicting the location of Hart’s gunshop, Spangenberg’s gun shop and the actual gunfight). Some accounts claim Hart to have been a witness to the gunfights. Spangenberg’s gunshop was down Fourth Street next to the same block in which the gunfight erupted. These two historic items were marketed by the only two gun stores in Tombstone at the time of the battle. Spangenberg essentially was a gun store selling guns and ammunition, however Hart, in addition to selling guns and ammunition, repaired guns. In fact, he was an expert gunsmith. Hart was a civil war veteran who became an officer and served with distinction and the signal corp. He was also a brilliant machinist and in May of 1880 he arrived in Tombstone looking for an opportunity. A letter to his wife on May 16th (a photocopy of which is included with this lot) urges her to immediately pack up his tools and send them to him. He goes on to state that “while there is a gun dealer here, there is really no gunsmith” and he felt that Tombstone presented an excellent opportunity for him to do very well. He reasoned that if she could send the tools out immediately, he could begin making good money and eventually be able to afford to move his entire family to Tombstone. This is exactly what he did do. Hart purchased military issued Colts from the government, reconditioned and sometimes altered the guns putting them in excellent working order and then resold them out of his shop on Freemont Street. Each gun that he handled was “signed” by him with the initials usually on or very near the 3-line patent markings on the left side of the Colt receivers. The initials “S.L.” were stamped and immediately beneath it were two heart symbols. In addition to being an expert gunsmith and machinist, Hart eventually held several patents for various machines he had manufactured. He was an outstanding citizen in the town of Tombstone and later, in 1890, he and his family moved to Tucson. In July of 1893 he died of cancer. The Hart revolver has a bit more of interesting history. According to a factory letter from Colt, it was originally shipped to the U.S. Government on October 30, 1884. At the time the gun had a standard 7-1/2″ bbl, blue finish with wood grips. However documentation included with the gun provides further history. After it was sold through Hart’s shop in Tombstone, it eventually found its way to Wilson Farms in Dryden, NY, near Saracuse. A man by the name of Wallace Haviland arrived at the farm sometime around 1898. He worked on the farm and according to people that knew him, he was not only a good worker but did not drink or smoke and seemed to get along with people. A year later he left and then returned about a year later. At the time that he returned, he returned with this Colt and holster. To the owners of the farm he had explained that he had worked out in AZ driving a stage coach. Later when he left, for some reason, he left the Colt and holster (with one original round in the chamber, included in this lot) hanging from a nail in the bunkhouse. Owners of the farm later tried to contact Haviland to ship his gun to him, but no one could determine where he lived. The gun stayed on the farm until around 1965 when it was acquired by a Mr. Al Atterbury. Mr. Alfred Atterbury began a very serious and long-term research project attempting to learn what the S.L., double heart stamp marks on the side of the gun meant, and in addition, attempted to find some history about Haviland himself. At some point he received information that Haviland was said to be a notorious character, or at least accused of such and was hung in a federal prison in AZ territory sometime before the turn of the century. Despite a great deal of research, he was unable to confirm this rumor. During the course of Mr. Atterbury’s quest for knowledge about the gun and holster, he actually took a trip to Tombstone. He corresponded with numerous gun authorities of the day, including of course Mr. John Kopec, Staff Editor Chuck Suydam, Richard Atkinson, the Arizona Historical Society and many others. After many years of research Mr. Atterbury composed a detailed review of the gun, its history and shed what was at that time considerable insight and knowledge on the mysterious S.L., double heart markings. Most collectors during these early days knew nothing about Samuel L. Hart and it was in part the considerable work that Mr. Atterbury did that expanded the knowledge on this gifted gunsmith. The Colt currently has a 5″ bbl which is marked with the 1-line address on top and the 3-line patent date marking on the left side of the frame, together with the typical U.S. marks, also double stamped “S.L.” above two hearts. The bottom of the bbl is marked with a “P” and “D.F.C.” which stand for the inspector marks of David F. Clark. The cyl is numbered 2050 and has a “P” and “D.F.C.” inspection marks. D.F.C. is also found on the bottom of the frame above the serial numbers. Below the SN on the trigger guard and the backstrap are the letters “G”, the inspection mark of Captain John E. Greer. The bbl has a brass blade front sight and the injector rod retains the correct round bulls eye head. Matching SNs appear on the frame, trigger guard, backstrap. The loading gate, however, carries the assembly number 514. The gun is fitted with checkered hard rubber Rampant Colt and Eagle grips. Only a handful of his signed guns exist today, and this is one of those great rarities, but of equal significance is the extraordinary rare Spangenberg holster. Spangenberg, as was indicated earlier, was a gun dealer on Fourth Street and had set up business before Hart had arrived. He sold guns and ammunition and made a feeble attempt at repairing guns from time to time until Hart began his business. Spangenberg himself proved to be a bit of a notorious character, and supposedly sometime after the gunfight at O.K. Coral, he closed his gun shop and moved south of Tucson, AZ, where he took a job at a mining company. He apparently had made enemies at some point in his life. One night while in a bar at Tucson he was threatened by a man but nothing became of it. A few days later four men came looking for Spangenberg who was working in a tool shed. The four of them apparently intent on killing him, came into the tool shed after him. Three of them were killed in the tool shed, the fourth killed outside all by Spagenberg. Spagenberg then made a hasty retreat from the area, purchased a ticket on the local stage and got out of town as soon as possible. This Spagenberg holster is extremely rare and is constructed of one piece of medium weight dark stained russet leather and handsewn with a single loop. The upper front of the holster carries his brand or stamp and only a portion of which can be discernible “SPANG/GUNS/TOMBS” all within a rectangular box. The brand when applied fully read “SPANGENBERG/GUNSMITH/TOMBSTONE AT.” There is also an “80” stamped on the flap near the loop. CONDITION: Very good. The entire surface of the metal gun has a model gray smooth patina with miniscule pitting near the recoil shield and on the left side of the frame. There are some traces and in some cases, strong traces, of orig blue finish in areas that were protected, on the trigger guard and on top of the bbl at the breech. The grips are good but have moderate to heavy wear. Also as expected a few dents and dings, but retain much of its checkering. The markings on the grips are still clear. The holster appears fine and the leather is still pliable. This is an extraordinary lot and a unique opportunity to acquire two very, very rare historic Western items from two well-known Western characters both from one of the most famous Western towns in the history of the West. As they say, “If only these items could talk.” 4-46582 JDJ54 (35,000-45,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012 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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