TWO HANDGUNS ALLEGEDLY BELONGING TO JESSE JAMES.

TWO HANDGUNS ALLEGEDLY BELONGING TO JESSE JAMES. Documentation accompanying these handguns was compiled by consignor and is capsulized as follows: During the 1850’s, one of the James’ family neighbors was David M. Bivens whose son David, joined the Confederate Army with Frank James and was killed at Franklin, TN on November 30 1864. Sometime shortly after that, Frank and Jesse began riding and raiding with William Quantrill and Bloody Bill Anderson. During one of their rides through Missouri and particularly Clay county, Jesse and Frank’s home area, they stopped for breakfast at the Bevins farm. Finding the family women alone and without firearms for defense Jesse allegedly gave the women these two handguns; a Colt m1851 Navy revolver, Cal 36, SN 134725 and a Sharps Model 1, 4-bbl Derringer, cal. 22 short, SN 4623. These handguns were on display in the Bevins home in Kearney, MO for about 109 years, until about 1968 when they became the subject of a legal dispute regarding their possession. Apparently, they had been loaned to Kenneth P. McLanahan of Prarie Village, KS and when they became part of an estate, Mr. McLanahan apparently had refused to return them, but equally apparent they were eventually returned to David M. Bevins. In a 1962 dated accompanying notarized statement, Mr. Bevins states most of the above providential information and on bottom is a hand-written note stating “the fire arms described above was so (sic) by Loraine Bevins widow of David M. Bevins to Jim Zimmerman Sept 23, 1973” and bears her signature. Consignor states that he inherited these handguns in 1973 from his father, the late J. E. Zimmerman. There is a large packet of accompanying information regarding the Bevins family including another notarized statement from Mrs. David M. Bevins dated February 10, 1975, certifying most of the above information. Also included is a copy of the April 1975, The Electric Farmer, Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, Platte City, MO magazine containing an article regarding the Bevins home being opened for tours after the program for the Jesse and Frank James Days at Kearney. Also included is a copy of, Keepsakes of Our Past, Volume IV by the Sun Chronicle’s newspapers dated September 8, 1993. It contains an article regarding the orig David M. Bevins who settled in the Missouri area in the 1820’s. The article relates the story of how Mrs. Huldah Bevins (the wife of Mr. Bevins) was home alone with two daughters when the James boys came by and left the handguns with them. The article states, “Later, Huldah and David’s grandson, David had the pistols framed with the dates they had received them”. There is an article from a newspaper dated, April 4, 1984, relating the same story. Also, there is a letter from an attorney to Mr. McLanahan requesting return of the two handguns. CONDITION: Colt is in fair to good condition. All matching including wedge. It has no finish remaining, being a dark, smooth brown patina overall with nicks and dings and vice marks on side flats of bbl with scattered light pitting. Wedge spring is broken and hammer screw appears to be a replacement. Wedge screw is missing and rammer screw is replaced by a rivet. Hammer will not hold at full cock but indexes well. Grip frame retains traces of orig silver. Grip is sound with chipped toes and retains traces of orig varnish. Strong dark pitted bore. Sharps is a brown patina on iron with a medium mustard patina on brass. Left grip is missing and right grip is a homemade replacement. Mechanics are fine. Worn dark bores. 4-57973 (10,000-30,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2006

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
	199	$10,350.00	TWO HANDGUNS ALLEGEDLY BELONGING TO JESSE JAMES. Documentation accompanying these handguns was compiled by consignor and is capsulized as follows: During the 1850’s, one of the James’ family neighbors was David M. Bivens whose son David, joined the Confederate Army with Frank James and was killed at Franklin, TN on November 30 1864. Sometime shortly after that, Frank and Jesse began riding and raiding with William Quantrill and Bloody Bill Anderson. During one of their rides through Missouri and particularly Clay county, Jesse and Frank’s home area, they stopped for breakfast at the Bevins farm. Finding the family women alone and without firearms for defense Jesse allegedly gave the women these two handguns; a Colt m1851 Navy revolver, Cal 36, SN 134725 and a Sharps Model 1, 4-bbl Derringer, cal. 22 short, SN 4623. These handguns were on display in the Bevins home in Kearney, MO for about 109 years, until about 1968 when they became the subject of a legal dispute regarding their possession. Apparently, they had been loaned to Kenneth P. McLanahan of Prarie Village, KS and when they became part of an estate, Mr. McLanahan apparently had refused to return them, but equally apparent they were eventually returned to David M. Bevins. In a 1962 dated accompanying notarized statement, Mr. Bevins states most of the above providential information and on bottom is a hand-written note stating “the fire arms described above was so (sic) by Loraine Bevins widow of David M. Bevins to Jim Zimmerman Sept 23, 1973” and bears her signature. Consignor states that he inherited these handguns in 1973 from his father, the late J. E. Zimmerman. There is a large packet of accompanying information regarding the Bevins family including another notarized statement from Mrs. David M. Bevins dated February 10, 1975, certifying most of the above information. Also included is a copy of the April 1975, The Electric Farmer, Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, Platte City, MO magazine containing an article regarding the Bevins home being opened for tours after the program for the Jesse and Frank James Days at Kearney. Also included is a copy of, Keepsakes of Our Past, Volume IV by the Sun Chronicle’s newspapers dated September 8, 1993. It contains an article regarding the orig David M. Bevins who settled in the Missouri area in the 1820’s. The article relates the story of how Mrs. Huldah Bevins (the wife of Mr. Bevins) was home alone with two daughters when the James boys came by and left the handguns with them. The article states, “Later, Huldah and David’s grandson, David had the pistols framed with the dates they had received them”. There is an article from a newspaper dated, April 4, 1984, relating the same story. Also, there is a letter from an attorney to Mr. McLanahan requesting return of the two handguns. CONDITION: Colt is in fair to good condition. All matching including wedge. It has no finish remaining, being a dark, smooth brown patina overall with nicks and dings and vice marks on side flats of bbl with scattered light pitting. Wedge spring is broken and hammer screw appears to be a replacement. Wedge screw is missing and rammer screw is replaced by a rivet. Hammer will not hold at full cock but indexes well. Grip frame retains traces of orig silver. Grip is sound with chipped toes and retains traces of orig varnish. Strong dark pitted bore. Sharps is a brown patina on iron with a medium mustard patina on brass. Left grip is missing and right grip is a homemade replacement. Mechanics are fine. Worn dark bores. 4-57973 (10,000-30,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2006 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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