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LOT 1146
Documented St. Louis
Shipped Factory
Engraved Colt Black
Powder Single Action
Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 118770,
45 Long Colt cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut
grips. As a factory engraved example, this Peacemaker is
reportedly one of 388 factory engraved Colt SAAs in the 1-164100
serial number range with a 4 3/4 inch barrel in .45 LC and out of the
388 only 18 had a nickel finish and wood stocks, per the authors of “The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver 1873-1895” (page
333). The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped to E.C. Meacham Arms Co. of St. Louis, Missouri, on November 30, 1886 with a 4 3/4 inch barrel in .45 caliber, nickel finish, factory engraving, and wood stocks. This shipment was for 5 guns. The revolver is listed by serial number
in the “Factory Engraved” section of Keith Cochran’s “The Colt
Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Vol. 2” on page 151, but with the grips
listed as “pearl” and shipping date listed as “November 3, 1886.”
Colts were used both as status symbols and tools of protection,
and this example combines both prestige and power when it
arrived at the Gateway to the West. The engraving is consistent
with the work of famed Cuno Helfricht Shop and is mostly floral
scrollwork on a punch dot background along with fan motifs,
zig-zag lines, and wavy lines. The barrel has the two-line Hartford address on top, the frame has the three-line patent date markings, and matching serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap.
CONDITION: Very good having the appearance of a “frontier issued” weapon, proving not all art hangs on the wall, with traces of original nickel finish on and around the hammer and front sight. The engraving is crisp overall. The refinished replacement grip is also very good with some minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. A documented factory engraved Colt SAA with all the look associated with a frontier gun.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 1147
Montana Shipped Colt Black Powder Single Action Army
Revolver with Relief Carved Steer Head Grip and Factory
Letter - Serial no. 148290, 38 WCF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl.,
blue/casehardened finish, antique ivory grips. As confirmed in the factory
letter, this revolver was shipped to A.L. Babcock Hardware Co. of Billings, Montana on October 25, 1892 with a 7 1/2 inch barrel in .38-40 caliber,
blue finish, and type of stocks not listed. This was a single gun shipment. Col. A.L. Babcock was a pioneer Billings banker and business man who first came to the city in 1882 when he opened a hardware store and tin shop with partner A.W. Miles. Ten years later the business became known as the A.L. Babcock Hardware Company. In 1903 he dissolved his hardware interests in Billings. In
1895 he erected both the Yellowstone Flouring Mill and Billings Opera
House. Also in 1895 he organized the Billings Telephone Company
to which he served as president. He was one of the founders of the
Yellowstone National Bank, served under several governors on military
staffs with the rank of colonel and was the first state senator from
Yellowstone County. The revolver wears a set of period grips with a
wonderful relief carved steer head on the right side. It is not hard to
imagine this SAA as once belonging to a Montana rancher. The barrel
has the one-line Hartford address on top and “38 WCF” on the left side. The frame has the two-line patent dates marking followed by an encircled Rampant Colt. Matching serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap.
CONDITION: Very good. The refinished barrel retains 30% of the dull blue finish and has a series of vice marks at the breech. The front sight has been shaved. The other remaining surfaces retain 30% original blue finish and traces of original case colors in the protected areas with a smooth gray patina associated with a well-traveled weapon on the balance. The right grip panel has been repaired, otherwise the attractive grips are fine with typical age lines, attractive color and very crisp carving. Mechanically excellent. A Montana shipped black powder Colt SAA with very attractive relief carved steer head grips that would look great in any a frontier collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
5/8 inches long, 1 1/8 inches wide and just over 1/8 inch thick at the ricasso. Stamped “G. WOODHEAD/36 HOWARD.STREET/SHEFFIELD” on the left ricasso. The left side of the blade is etched with “A CALIFORNIAN/ ASK FOR NOTHING BUT WHAT IS/RIGHT/AND SUBMIT TO NOTHING THAT IS/WRONG” next to “S&S” and “I CAN DIG GOLD FROM QUARTZ” above “CALIFORNIAN BOWIE KNIFE” with a large scene of an eagle. The oval guard is cast German silver, with raised scroll decorations on the German silver spoon handle grip. Includes a black leather sheath with German silver fittings and gilt “U(star)S” and border decorations. CONDITION: Fine, the blade shows mostly bright surfaces with some scattered patches of light oxidation, light wear to the visible etching, sharp edges, and the German silver grip exhibits an attractive bright patina. The sheath is also fine with some light edge wear. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
clipped corner buckle, and appears to be faintly hand marked “MONT.” on the interior along with other illegible
markings in faded black ink.
CONDITION: Fine, The holster and belt
both show an attractively aged, frontier weathered look with some mild wear and a few scattered patches of loose or absent stitching. The markings on the holster
are partially obscured by a minor scuff in the leather and the ink markings on the inside of the belt are faint. The consignor believes this rare left handed holster rig to be the only one known
marked by J.J. Stipek.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,250
LOT 1148
Etched George Woodhead Sheffield “Californian” Bowie Knife with Sheath - Measuring 11 1/2 inches overall, with the blade measuring 6
LOT 1149
Desirable J.J Stipek, Montana Marked Tooled Leather Left Handed Holster with Gun/Money Belt - This attractive western leather holster and cartridge/money belt was manufactured c. the 1890s in Glendive, Montana. Like many holster rigs of the time, this example was made in a saddlery shop, specifically the one ran by
J.J. Stipek, who established his business in Glendive c. 1894. The holster is set up for a left handed shooter and is marked “J.J. STIPEK/ GLENDIVE.MONT.”. It is fitted for a 4 3/4 inch barrel Colt Single Action Army revolver with an open top and a closed toe, and has tooled patterns throughout including basket weave and borders. The cartridge/money belt is stamped “930/32” on the outside surface, has 32 cartridge loops, faint tooled geometric borders, a California
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