COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH PRESENTATION FROM A TEXAS U.S. MARSHALL.

COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH PRESENTATION FROM A TEXAS U.S. MARSHALL. SN 84857. Cal. 45 Colt. Nickel finish with bbl reduced to 4-15/16″ from either 5-1/2″ or 7-1/2″. Bbl appears to have been cut professionally with a slightly beveled edge and chamfered bore. The sight, however, was not relocated. Fitted with third type ejector rod housing with tapered half moon ejector rod head. Left side of frame has 3-line patent dates and has the caliber marking on left front web of trigger guard. Grip frame is mounted with a 1-pc smooth ivory grip constructed of two slabs of ivory glued to a split wooden block and is probably orig equipment as supplied by a distributor. Left grip is inscribed in beautiful period script “M.H.W / Deputy U.S. Marshall / Presented by / Hal. Gosling / U.S. Marshall, Tex.”. As of this writing the identity of M.H.W. is unknown but apparently was the deputy to Marshall Hal Gosling. Research through the U.S. Marshall Service would surely disclose this individual’s name and record. In the book Encyclopedia of Western Lawmen & Outlaws, Nash, p. 141 states that Harold L. Gosling (1853-1885) was from Shelbyville, TN, had attended Annapolis Naval Academy, studied law in Washington and owned a newspaper in Medina County, Texas. He was appointed U.S. Marshall for the Western District of Texas in 1884 and on Saturday, Feb. 21, 1885, while transporting James Potts & Charles Yeager from Austin to San Antonio, was killed in the line of duty near New Braunfels, TX. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter identifying this revolver in caliber 45 Colt, bbl length not listed, nickel finish, type of stocks not listed and shipped to Simmons Hardware Co., St. Louis, MO on Dec. 26, 1882 in a shipment of 25 same type guns. Simmons Hardware was a major distributor for the Western United States for Colt firearms. Also accompanied by a large packet of information regarding the loan of this revolver to the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Service for the period 1988-1991. It appeared in the exhibition of “America’s Star, the U.S. Marshalls, 1789-1989”. It was returned to the then owner, Mitch Luksich, in Aug. 1991. Additionally accompanied by what is probably the orig holster for this revolver. It is described as a Mexican brass & silver wire embroidered dbl loop holster with thumb tab & brass stud with braided laced rear edge. This holster is typical of the workmanship of that time and location. PROVENANCE: Mitch Luksich. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Overall retains 85-90% milky orig nickel with fine pimpling on frame & hammer and some minor losses on ejector rod housing, front strap, butt strap & back strap. Cylinder retains strong orig nickel with some flaking that has turned to dark patina. Grip is slightly shrunken but fits fine and retains a wonderful mellow ivory patina with clear inscription that shows fine hand wear. Hammer is not solid in safety or half cock notches, otherwise mechanics are fine. Strong bore with good shine & fine pitting. Holster is dry & fragile and in need of treatment, with loop rivets having rusted and pulled through the skirt and now are hand stitched in place. Some of silver embroidery is starting to accumulate verdigris. 4-39681 JR155 (9,500-12,500)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2010

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
	2120	$8,050.00	COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH PRESENTATION FROM A TEXAS U.S. MARSHALL. SN 84857. Cal. 45 Colt. Nickel finish with bbl reduced to 4-15/16″ from either 5-1/2″ or 7-1/2″. Bbl appears to have been cut professionally with a slightly beveled edge and chamfered bore. The sight, however, was not relocated. Fitted with third type ejector rod housing with tapered half moon ejector rod head. Left side of frame has 3-line patent dates and has the caliber marking on left front web of trigger guard. Grip frame is mounted with a 1-pc smooth ivory grip constructed of two slabs of ivory glued to a split wooden block and is probably orig equipment as supplied by a distributor. Left grip is inscribed in beautiful period script “M.H.W / Deputy U.S. Marshall / Presented by / Hal. Gosling / U.S. Marshall, Tex.”. As of this writing the identity of M.H.W. is unknown but apparently was the deputy to Marshall Hal Gosling. Research through the U.S. Marshall Service would surely disclose this individual’s name and record. In the book Encyclopedia of Western Lawmen & Outlaws, Nash, p. 141 states that Harold L. Gosling (1853-1885) was from Shelbyville, TN, had attended Annapolis Naval Academy, studied law in Washington and owned a newspaper in Medina County, Texas. He was appointed U.S. Marshall for the Western District of Texas in 1884 and on Saturday, Feb. 21, 1885, while transporting James Potts & Charles Yeager from Austin to San Antonio, was killed in the line of duty near New Braunfels, TX. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter identifying this revolver in caliber 45 Colt, bbl length not listed, nickel finish, type of stocks not listed and shipped to Simmons Hardware Co., St. Louis, MO on Dec. 26, 1882 in a shipment of 25 same type guns. Simmons Hardware was a major distributor for the Western United States for Colt firearms. Also accompanied by a large packet of information regarding the loan of this revolver to the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Service for the period 1988-1991. It appeared in the exhibition of “America’s Star, the U.S. Marshalls, 1789-1989”. It was returned to the then owner, Mitch Luksich, in Aug. 1991. Additionally accompanied by what is probably the orig holster for this revolver. It is described as a Mexican brass & silver wire embroidered dbl loop holster with thumb tab & brass stud with braided laced rear edge. This holster is typical of the workmanship of that time and location. PROVENANCE: Mitch Luksich. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Overall retains 85-90% milky orig nickel with fine pimpling on frame & hammer and some minor losses on ejector rod housing, front strap, butt strap & back strap. Cylinder retains strong orig nickel with some flaking that has turned to dark patina. Grip is slightly shrunken but fits fine and retains a wonderful mellow ivory patina with clear inscription that shows fine hand wear. Hammer is not solid in safety or half cock notches, otherwise mechanics are fine. Strong bore with good shine & fine pitting. Holster is dry & fragile and in need of treatment, with loop rivets having rusted and pulled through the skirt and now are hand stitched in place. Some of silver embroidery is starting to accumulate verdigris. 4-39681 JR155 (9,500-12,500) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2010 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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