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LOT 1179
Historic Documented Texas Shipped Colt Government Model National
Match Semi-Automatic Pistol Carried by Texas Lawman Jess Sweeten with Factory Letter and
Signed Affidavit - Serial no. C201330, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., chrome finish, metal grips. Manufactured in 1940, this Colt
National Match pistol was carried by legendary Henderson County, Texas sheriff, Jess Sweeten. The included 1975 dated affidavit signed by Sweeten lists the pistol by serial number and states
that he was carrying it during two gunfights in his career. The first gunfight is described by Sweeten as: “A fellow was barracaded [sic] in a house and was shooting at people with a 44-40 rifle. When I
approached the house, all of the blinds were pulled and I walked up on the front porch and kicked the door open. He was standing about fifteen feet from me. He started
to his shoulder with his rifle. He was hit three times with this gun and died immediately.” The other gunfight is described as happening in
JESS SWEETEN PICTURED HOLDING THESE EXACT EMBELLISHED COLT .45 PISTOLS
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1944 with three bank robbers in Tenaha, Texas. It is described as happening at a farm house and that one of them was “scalped” and the another had his little finger shot off before all three were captured the next morning at the local doctor’s office. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (grips not listed) as well as shipment to Cullum & Boren Company in Dallas, Texas on 29 June 1940 along with the matching Colt National Match pistol in the following lot. The pistol has standard markings and features apart from the grips, which are floral engraved and silver plated, and mounted with rose gold flowers, a steer head on the left, and a shrine emblem on the right along with a banner engraved “JESS SWEETEN”.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 90% plus of the period replated chrome finish with some scattered light handling marks throughout, typical
of a Texas lawman’s sidearm. The period upgraded grips are very fine showing an attractively aged patina overall and minimal handling evidence. Mechanically excellent. An opportunity to add a Texas gunfighter and lawman’s sidearm to your collection!
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 1180
Historic Documented Texas Shipped Colt Government Model National Match Semi-Automatic
Pistol Carried by Texas Lawman Jess Sweeten with Factory Letter and Signed Affidavit - Serial no. C201337, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., chrome finish, metal grips. Manufactured in 1940,
this Colt National Match pistol was carried by legendary Henderson County, Texas sheriff, Jess Sweeten. The included 1975 dated affidavit signed by Sweeten lists
the pistol by serial number and states that he was carrying during a gunfight in his
career that he describes as: “I was in a gun battle with a Fort Worth burglar in 1940. He was using a 38 Special
and I was using this gun at fifty yards. A bullet from this gun hit him in the neck and killed him instantly. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (grips not listed) as well as shipment to Cullum & Boren
Company in Dallas, Texas on 29 June 1940 along with the matching Colt National Match pistol in the previous lot. The pistol has standard markings and features apart from the grips, which are floral engraved, silver plated, and mounted with rose gold flowers, a 32nd degree Mason’s emblem and a “JESS SWEETEN” marked banner on the left, and a horse’s head on the right.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 90% plus of the period replated chrome finish with some scattered light handling marks
throughout, typical of a duty weapon belonging to a Texas sheriff. The period upgraded grips are very fine showing
an attractively aged patina overall and minimal handling evidence. Mechanically excellent. A true, documented piece of Texas law enforcement history! Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500