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LOT 1174
Documented Factory Nickel Black Powder Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Slim Jim Holster and Factory Letter - Serial no. 37265, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. The factory letter for this highly desirable factory nickel plated black powder Colt SAA revolver states it was shipped on August 25, 1877 to B. Kittredge & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio with nickel plating and .45 caliber chambering. The barrel length and grips are not listed, a common indication of 7 1/2 inches and walnut. This shipment was for fifty guns. Factory nickel plated antique SAAs are rarely encountered and when found are generally well worn. This example, however, remains well above average condition retaining much of the original factory nickel plating. The barrel has the one-line Hartford address on top, and the left side of the frame has the three-line patent dates marking. “45 CAL” is stamped on the left side of the trigger guard. The period grips were likely fitted by Kittredge. Matching serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. Includes a period slim Jim leather holster. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 75% untouched original nickel plating with brown-gray patina on the balance. The grips are also very fine with typical age lines and attractive mellow aged appearance. The action cycles, however the cylinder is slightly out of time and the hammer has only three clicks. The holster is very good with age cracking and overall tight stitching. A very pleasing and documented factory nickel plated black powder Colt SAA revolver from the Old West! Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
AS PICTURED AND
DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK PACKING IRON BY RATTENBURY
LOT 1175
Spectacular and Rare Documented Left Handed “Mexican Loop” Leather Colt Single Action Army Holster
and Gun Belt by G.H. & J.S. Collins, Omaha, Nebraska as Pictured in “Packing Iron” by Rattenbury - Brothers
Gilbert H. and John S. Collins first set up their saddle and leather goods making and wholesaling business in Omaha,
Nebraska in 1864, but quickly discovered that many of their goods were more popular further west. From 1872
to 1876, John served as the post trader at Fort Laramie, expanding their business to Cheyenne in the Wyoming Territory. This example, bearing the early Omaha,
Nebraska address was likely manufactured right around the time of the release of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver in 1873 and is oriented for a left handed
shooter. It is made of brown saddle skirt leather in the “Mexican Loop” style with a lightly tooled floral border and the maker’s mark/address stamped on the front.
Included is a matching brown leather belt marked “J-S” buckle strap. The maker’s mark with the Omaha address and “45” are marked on the strap opposite the buckle.
The belt has a single row of cartridge loops that appear to accommodate .45 Long Colt cartridges. The buckle itself is nickeled and has clipped corners. This specific
holster appears to be the example pictured on p. 99 of “Packing Iron: Gunleather of the Frontier West”. It is pictured with a different gun belt in that book, but the
handling marks and wear on the holster are consistent with that seen on this specific example. Also included is a copy of the book “My Experiences in the West” by J.S.
Collins and a copy of a Collins & Co. invoice.
CONDITION: Fine overall with some scattered mild wear and handling marks, some scattered light age cracking, and almost all of the stitching remaining tight. The buckle retains most of the nickel finish. The “G.H.” in the
maker’s mark on the holster is worn but visible. A very rare and desirable, early, G.H. & J.S. Collins holster rig that would be welcome in any frontier or Single Action Army collection!
Provenance: The Greg Lampe Collection.
Estimate: 8,500 - 14,000
LOT 1176
Attractive, Desirable Joseph Rodgers & Sons Sheffield Bowie Knife
with Sheath - Manufactured by Joseph Rodgers & Sons of Sheffield, England
c. the mid to late 19th century. Joseph Rodgers & Sons is noted as operating from
their No. 6 Norfolk Street address as early as the late 1700s. By the early 1800s, the firm
was gaining a reputation for their exceptional quality, and in 1822, the they were awarded their first of
15 Royal Warrants. By the mid-19th century, Rodgers & Sons had become the most prolific cutler in Sheffield, a city bursting at the seams with cutlers. In 1858, they were awarded
their famous “star and Maltese cross” trademark, which was famously spread throughout North America, as well as in the east through their agents in Calcutta, Bombay, and
Hong Kong. This example is fairly simple by Rodgers’ standards, while still exhibiting their usual quality and elegance. It measures 14 1/2 inches overall, with a 9 15/16 inch blade
exhibiting a long, shallow clip point. The German silver guard is elliptical and scalloped and the hilt has smooth antique ivory grip scales. Includes a leather sheath with gilt accents
and German silver fittings.
CONDITION: Very fine overall, the blade mostly bright with some scattered patches of grey patina and very light surface pitting, lightly aged German silver, and a few hairline age cracks and light handling marks on the grip scales. The sheath is fine with a minor split in the spine seam and mild wear. This is a very attractive Bowie knife from the most prolific cutler from the world’s most famous city for cutlery, Sheffield, England!
136 Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500