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Deadwood Judge John H. Burns
LOT 105
Documented Factory Engraved Colt Model 1878 Frontier Double Action Revolver with Pearl Grips Inscribed “John H. Burns” for the Deadwood Attorney, Judge, Rancher, and Author with Factory Letter and Research - Serial no. 2956, 45 Long Colt cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. The factory letter lists this revolver as one of two in a shipment to Simmons Hardware Co. in St. Louis, Missouri, on November 12, 1879, in .45 caliber with nickel finish, pearl grips, and factory engraving. The barrel length was not listed. Based on the information listed on page 228 of “Colt’s Double-Action Revolver Model of 1878” by Don Wilkerson, this revolver is one of only nine factory engraved and nickel plated Model 1878s with 5 1/2 inch barrels and
pearl grips out only a total of 284 Model 1878 revolvers that were factory engraved making this revolver a true rarity even without its fascinating inscription. The revolver features stunning factory “C” style engraving executed in the shop of Cuno A. Helfricht who engraved for Colt from 1871 to 1921. The patterns are primarily foliate scrollwork with beaded backgrounds, but the revolver also featured wavy line patterns, panels of crosshatching and dots, and floral motifs. The barrel has a blade front sight and the one-line address. The left side of the trigger guard has “45 CAL.” The matching serial number is on the loading gate and the butt. The latter is also fitted with a lanyard ring. The back strap has the period inscription “John H. Burns” in script.
The original owner is attributed as John H. Burns (1850-1931) who was born in Indiana and lived for a time in Kankakee County, Illinois, as a young man where he studied law. He made a name for himself in the legendary frontier town of Deadwood, Dakota Territory, as an attorney at law, judge, author, and rancher. His life is detailed in an extensive research binder compiled by Greg Lampe which includes a biography written by Lampe that provided much of the details that follow. Lampe’s notes indicate the revolver was owned by J.E. Cole of Orange, Texas, and then by George Jackson of Texas for many years before it became part of his collection.
Burns visited Deadwood in the summer of 1876 during the gold rush and rode out to the Little Bighorn to
report on the Custer massacre for the local newspaper and picked up multiple artifacts from the site. He became an attorney in Deadwood in 1877 using the General Custer House as his office and soon became the district’s prosecuting attorney. He also continued to write for the local newspapers as well as an occasional contributor
to the Chicago Tribune and was active in Republican politics. He also befriended members of the Sioux tribes, learned their language, wrote a dictionary, and acted as an interpreter. One story from 1877 has him brandishing two Colt six shooters when threatened by a witness in a case and his friends en route to the courthouse. An included copy of an article from the Chicago Tribune dated July 19, 1878, about a trip to the Black Hills notes: “Mr. John H. Burns is a native of Kankakee, and first practiced law in Chicago. Coming here with the rush, he
was made the Prosecuting Attorney of the Black Hills, and, with pluck and bravery worthy of a knight of history, sent thirteen horse-thieves, murderers, and road-agents to jail in the first term. Although his office is often filled by angry thugs, armed to the teeth, who were going to clean him out, the sight of John’s big self-cocking six shooter slightly disturbed them.” Clearly Burns had a thing for double action six guns, and this incredible revolver would have suited him just fine.
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