Page 134 - 4091-BOOK2

LOT 1171
Desirable Documented Billings, Montana Shipped Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver with Relief Carved Pearl Grips, Matching Billings Made Holster Rig with Cartridge/Money Belt, and Factory Letter - Serial no. 211448, 38 WCF cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, pearl grips. Manufactured in 1901, this desirable Colt Single Action Army revolver was shipped to Montana, when the Western Frontier was still very much wild. These Montana shipped guns are far more rare than the, also desirable, Texas shipped revolvers, with only around 145 shipped to Montana up to 1898, while nearly 6,000 were shipped to Texas. According to the included factory letter, this revolver was sold to Winchester Repeating Arms Company, which was not uncommon, given that Colt revolvers were sold through Winchester affiliated dealers and visa versa.
At the time of shipment to A.L. Babcock Hardware in Billings, Montana, it was very much still part of a wild frontier, seeing two local train robberies in 1902 and 1904. The included factory letter also confirms the serial number, caliber, barrel length, and finish, as well as a shipment date of 29 June 1901. The revolver has standard markings including matching serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. It has been fitted with an attractive pair of period retailer pearl grips, with the right panel having a relief carved
deer’s head, befitting the wild nature of Montana. Completing the full Montana rig, this revolver includes a Billings made holster rig by “F.B. Chapman Billings Mont.” The holster itself is of the Mexican loop pattern with the maker’s mark on the front of the body along with light border tooling. The seams are secured with a thick rawhide whip stitch. Also includes an unmarked wide, saddle shop quality cartridge/money belt with a single row
of cartridge loops and a German silver clipped corner buckle. A complete rig with revolver, holster, and belt all from the same location on the Western Frontier is truly a scarce find! CONDITION: Very good overall as a working Montana outfit. The mechanically excellent Colt shows mostly smooth, once cleaned, artificial grey-brown patina and some scattered very light surface pitting, typical of a Montana working gun. The period retailer installed grips are also fine with a large period repair on the left panel along with a minor chip absent at the top, a smaller repair in the right panel, and otherwise minor handling marks and distinct carving. The holster has wear and light cracking and the belt is good with extensive age cracking and a stabilizing strap added to the backside of the billet opposite the buckle. A rare complete Billings, Montana Single Action Army Rig that exudes all of the legendary character of the American West!
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
132