Page 127 - 4090-BOOK3

LOT 3197
Historic,
Documented
Factory Engraved
and Inscribed
Colt Single Action
Army Revolver with
Extraordinary Relief Carved
Steer Head Grip Presented to the
Outstanding Contestant Burel Mulkey at the 1937 Fort
Worth, Texas, Rodeo by the Governor of Louisiana - Serial
no. 355376, 45 Long Colt cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, original carved grips. This historic deluxe, factory engraved and inscribed Colt Single Action Army revolver was presented by Louisiana Governor R.W. Leche to Burel Mulkey of Salmon, Idaho, as Outstanding Contestant/Best All-Round Cowboy at the Ft. Worth, Texas, Rodeo in March 1937. The detailed steer head carved in raised relief on the right grip panel is certainly appropriate for the occasion. The factory letter dated 1967 describes the revolver as in .45 caliber with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, ivory stocks, and factory engraving and indicates it was sold to “Hon Richard W. Leche” of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and shipped to “Mr. A. A. Lund” in
Ft. Worth, Texas, on March 3, 1937. It was the sole gun of this type in the shipment. In his included letter, R.L. Wilson states that the profuse scroll, floral and punch-dot engraving on this revolver was executed by Wilbur A. Glahn and is “more than C” engraving. Wilson notes that: “The scrollwork throughout the revolver is closely packed, with virtually no space from scroll to scroll and nearly everything filled in with punched dots, line-work, and other decor.” Wilson concludes: “The Wilbur Glahn-engraved Colt Six Shooter No. 355376 is not only the most profusely engraved of any Single Action Army by Glahn, it is one of the finest and rarest of all of Glahn’s work for the Colt factory.” The revolver is also featured in “The Book of Colt Engraving Volume II” by R.L. Wilson on page 580. The revolver is also accompanied by
a copy of pages of the April 1997 “Gun Report” article “A Cowboy’s Gun” by Richard Garvis stating this revolver was won by and owned by Burel Mulkey (1904-1982) for his victory at the rodeo in 1937 after riding the legendary bronco “Five Minutes to Midnight.” He went on to win the title of Saddle Bronc Rider Champion in 1937 and 1938 and All Around Champion Cowboy in 1938, retired from the rodeo life in the 1940s and ranched near Lake Isabella, California, worked as a state brand inspector, and retired in the 1960s. He was a Charter Member of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. The revolver was sold by Mulkey to a friend who was a gun collector in 1967.
Burel Mulkey
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