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LOT 62
Documented Muscogee Indian Territory Shipped First Generation Colt Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army Revolver with Holster Rig and Factory Letter - Serial no. 234263, 44-40 WCF cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. Few firearms are more deeply associated with the American west than the Colt Single Action Army revolver. After having been carried and trusted by outlaws, lawmen, settlers, Native Americans, miners, and cowboys for decades, the steadfast old revolvers remained a staple on the frontier which was quickly being “tamed” well into the 20th century. The .44-40 WCF SAA has found a special place in the hearts of Peacemaker collectors. When introduced in 1877, the .44-40 WCF SAA was intended to be used in conjunction with the another legendary Western icon, the Winchester Model 1873 rifle, which used the same cartridge. This Frontier Six Shooter is a true frontier survivor as it was shipped to Indian territory in Oklahoma. As confirmed by the factory letter, the revolver was shipped to Turner Hardware Co., Muscogee Indian Territory on October 27, 1902 with a 4 3/4 inch barrel in .44-40 WCF caliber and blue finish with type of stocks not listed. This was an eight gun shipment. In the 1830s the U.S. government forced the Muscogee Nation to relocate from their ancestral homes in the Southeast to Indian Territory, now located in the state of Oklahoma. This SAA was shipped to Indian Territory just a few years prior to Oklahoma being admitted to the Union in 1907. Around 1882, Clarence William Turner purchased the hardware business J.S. Atkinson (the first hardware business established in the Indian Territory) and continued to operate the business under the name Turner Hardware Co. until Turner sold his interests in 1912. Matching serial numbers appear on frame, trigger guard, and back strap. Includes a holster rig by Don Hume of Miami, Oklahoma. Founded in 1953, Don Hume Leathergoods continues to manufacture quality leather goods. CONDITION: Good, displaying all the grit and grime of a sidearm used out on Indian Territory. The well worn grips show similar working gun character, having all the appearance of spending a lifetime in the hand. The holster is fine. The cylinder pin spring is absent, otherwise the action cycles properly. Without a doubt this SAA is a true frontier survivor! Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 63
LOT 65
Pre-Custer Battle
Ainsworth Inspected
U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action
Army Revolver Serial Number 1149 with John
Kopec Letter - Serial no. 1149, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2
inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This early
production U.S. contract Cavalry Model Colt Single
Action Army was sub-inspected by Orville W. Ainsworth.
The revolver was examined by noted Colt historian
and author John Kopec. In his accompanying letter of
authentication from 1992 Kopec confirmed the revolver
was a first year production example, sub-inspected by
Ainsworth, and was likely issued to the 10th Cavalry. The
10th Cavalry was among the first regiments to receive
the Cavalry Model revolver, and the first 1,000 were
shipped on December 22, 1873 and are found in the 177-1191 serial
number range (Lot 1). Kopec noted that the sub-inspector “A” and “P”
proof mark “have been worn away” from the cylinder and the hammer
is a later production replacement. Ainsworth’s “A” is present on the
trigger guard, back strap, and barrel but are very faint. A “P” proof mark appears on the underside of the matching number barrel. The top of the barrel has “+COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.” marking. The left of the frame has the two-line patent dates and “U.S.” The assembly number “24” is marked inside the loading gate. Matching serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, and barrel. The cylinder lacks a visible number. These early Cavalry Models were issued to cavalry units on the frontier, such as the famous 10th Cavalry Regiment (Buffalo Soldiers), and nearly all saw hard use. Surviving examples of early Cavalry Models
are difficult to find and inevitably show heavy service
wear. Includes Wilson and Sutherland’s “The Book of
Colt Firearms.”
CONDITION: Very good wtih 40% of the arsenal
refinished full blue finish remaining. The grip is
also very good and shows similar “working gun”
character. Mechanically fine. This early Colt Cavalry
Model revolver is a true frontier survivor!
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine
- Serial no. 24230, 44 cal., 20 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut
stock. Many legendary firearms are often cited as the “Guns that Won the West”, however, there are perhaps no long guns more iconic than
the Winchester Model 1866 carbine. These carbines simply have “the look” of having been there when the West was being tamed and were carried for decades
on the frontier by lawmen, cowboys, outlaws, Native Americans, gold prospectors, and settlers. For many, these firearms were far more than just a gun, but a
means to put food on the table and simply to survive. The standard two-line address and King’s patent marking is on top of the barrel ahead of two leaf rear sight.
The front sight is integral to the front barrel band. A saddle ring is mounted on the left side of the brass receiver. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate containing a three piece cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Very good, with the barrel and magazine tube having a pleasing smooth dark brown patina. The receiver has tight fitting sideplates that have a lighter coloration compared to
the remaining mellow aged brass components. The wood is very good and displays working gun character with a chip at the toe, couple stress lines at the upper tang, and numerous handling
marks. Mechanically fine. A “Yellow Boy” saddle ring carbine that has seen some action!
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,000
LOT 64
Scarce Evans New Model Lever Action Carbine - NSN, 44 Evans cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This is one of
just 4,000 New Model carbines manufactured by Evans Repeating Rifle Co. from 1877-1879. These carbines are easily distinguished from the
earlier models by the dust cover on the right side of the action. The top of the barrel is marked “EVANS REPEATING RIFLE MECHANIC FALLS, ME.
8, 1868 & SEPT. 16, 1871” ahead of the rear sight. It has a fixed “pinched” blade front sight and stepped military rear sight. The forearm is attached by a single barrel band,
and the buttstock pieces are attached to the casehardened buttplate and an iron ring around the center of the magazine tube. Sling swivels are on the bottom of the butt and
the barrel band. No serial number is visible. The Evan’s repeaters boasted the greatest capacity of any production model lever action produced in the U.S. at 28 to 34 rounds!
CONDITION: Fine. 70% plus of the original blue finish remains along with strong case colors on the buttplate and traces on the lever and barrel band. The balance is a brown patina. There
are light scratches and marks along with patches of minor oxidation. The left side of receiver exhibits several dents mostly on lower half. The wood is good with moderate wear from use including
numerous mild dents. There are a couple of bands of what appears to be tape residue on rear stock pieces. Overall the carbine shows a lot of character typical of a gun that saw use on the Western Frontier.
The action functions fine. The magazine functionality was not tested, but it appears complete. This is a very good example of a rare repeating rifle.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,750 75
PAT. DEC.