RARE AND HISTORIC COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER EXCAVATED FROM THE NEZ PERCE/COL. GIBBONS BATTLE SITE AT BIG HOLE, MONTANA.

RARE AND HISTORIC COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER EXCAVATED FROM THE NEZ PERCE/COL. GIBBONS BATTLE SITE AT BIG HOLE, MONTANA. Cal. appears to be 45 Colt. SN: unable to determine. This wonderful, relic condition, single action was excavated from the Big Hole Battlefield in the late 1950’s and was gifted to the consignor by his friend, Arnotte Millett. This well documented battle occurred on Aug. 9, 1877 when Chief Joseph’s Nez Perce Tribe, fleeing to Canada, were surprised and attacked by Colonel Gibbon’s 7th Infantry. Chief Joseph, one of the finest tacticians of that era, rallied his warriors and drove the infantry from the field and pinned them down until the rest of his band could escape. The Nez Perce, in their flight to avoid being confined to a reservation, were never defeated or captured over their several hundred mile journey through some of the harshest landscape in North America, outfighting and outmaneuvering the army all the way, they only surrendered after having become exhausted and starved, and thinking they were already in Canada. The revolver appears to have been a standard Colt, probably a 5-1/2″ artillery model and remains as found with five chambers of the cyl containing brass cartridge cases with chamber under hammer empty, as was standard practice in the army. It appears that the revolver was in the process of being cocked when it was dropped, leading one to speculate that the trooper carrying it was struck down in the process. It is missing complete ejector rod housing, grip; hammer spring, & loading gate. All five of the loaded chambers have visible cartridge cases with one appearing to have lead or something of that nature where someone has dug into the cartridge case head. The entire surface of revolver has massive pitting from its long internment. Accompanied by a small framed diorama with a photograph of Chief Joseph and another of the battle site with a cluster of standing teepee poles. Attached to the back of the diorama is a notarized statement by Arnotte J. Millett dated 11 26, 1992 wherein he states that this revolver, as found, was presented to him in the early 1950’s by “Harry Too Good, an Indian guide relative and owner of the French Basin Ranch in Southwest Montana”. He also states that he was told this revolver was found on the Big Hole Battlefield near Wisdom, Montana. An extremely rare relic of one of the most incredible Indian/military engagements in history. CONDITION: As noted, extremely heavily pitted with a very dark brown crusty patina with soil in bbl and openings around the cyl. The diorama is fine. 4-59489 (7,000-10,000)

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
	368A	$5,750.00	RARE AND HISTORIC COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER EXCAVATED FROM THE NEZ PERCE/COL. GIBBONS BATTLE SITE AT BIG HOLE, MONTANA. Cal. appears to be 45 Colt. SN: unable to determine. This wonderful, relic condition, single action was excavated from the Big Hole Battlefield in the late 1950’s and was gifted to the consignor by his friend, Arnotte Millett. This well documented battle occurred on Aug. 9, 1877 when Chief Joseph’s Nez Perce Tribe, fleeing to Canada, were surprised and attacked by Colonel Gibbon’s 7th Infantry. Chief Joseph, one of the finest tacticians of that era, rallied his warriors and drove the infantry from the field and pinned them down until the rest of his band could escape. The Nez Perce, in their flight to avoid being confined to a reservation, were never defeated or captured over their several hundred mile journey through some of the harshest landscape in North America, outfighting and outmaneuvering the army all the way, they only surrendered after having become exhausted and starved, and thinking they were already in Canada. The revolver appears to have been a standard Colt, probably a 5-1/2″ artillery model and remains as found with five chambers of the cyl containing brass cartridge cases with chamber under hammer empty, as was standard practice in the army. It appears that the revolver was in the process of being cocked when it was dropped, leading one to speculate that the trooper carrying it was struck down in the process. It is missing complete ejector rod housing, grip; hammer spring, & loading gate. All five of the loaded chambers have visible cartridge cases with one appearing to have lead or something of that nature where someone has dug into the cartridge case head. The entire surface of revolver has massive pitting from its long internment. Accompanied by a small framed diorama with a photograph of Chief Joseph and another of the battle site with a cluster of standing teepee poles. Attached to the back of the diorama is a notarized statement by Arnotte J. Millett dated 11 26, 1992 wherein he states that this revolver, as found, was presented to him in the early 1950’s by “Harry Too Good, an Indian guide relative and owner of the French Basin Ranch in Southwest Montana”. He also states that he was told this revolver was found on the Big Hole Battlefield near Wisdom, Montana. An extremely rare relic of one of the most incredible Indian/military engagements in history. CONDITION: As noted, extremely heavily pitted with a very dark brown crusty patina with soil in bbl and openings around the cyl. The diorama is fine. 4-59489 (7,000-10,000) 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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