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LOT 3190
Historic Documented First Generation Colt Single Action Army Revolver Inscribed “Jess Wilson” Identified as Owned by an Austin, Texas, Lawman Killed in a Shootout in 1918 - Serial no. 324602, 45 Long Colt cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., chrome finish, pearl grips. This revolver was manufactured in 1912 and has the one-line address on top of the barrel, “45 COLT” on the left side of the barrel, the two-line patent marking and circled Rampant Colt trademark on the left side of the frame, the triangular “VP” proof on the left side of the trigger guard, assembly number “705” on the loading gate and right side rear of the frame, matching serial numbers on the frame as well as the trigger guard and back strap, “Jess Wilson” inscribed on the back of the back strap, “Dr Wilson” inscribed inside the pearl grips, and his golden “W” initial at the top of the left grip panel. An included signed statement indicates that this revolver was inherited by Jesse Wilson from his father who was a driver in the Austin Fire Department in 1890-1910 and later became a police officer in Austin and was killed in the line of duty on February 15, 1918, when he was ambushed on the corner of 9th Street and Congress Avenue “by a gambling crowd.” The statement indicates the revolver was subsequently passed down by Jesse Wilson to his son Gordon in November 7, 1991. Also included are two coins, a 1899 dated quarter and a 1916 dated dime, which are accompanied by notes from Jess Wilson’s daughter Maurine Smith indicating they were in her father’s pockets when he was shot and killed.
Jesse Rolland Wilson (1868-1918) was the son of Moses Greer “Doc” Wilson (1847-1918) and Margaret M. Allen (1845-1908). He had four children of his own, Jesse, Maurine,
Jerome, and Sam. The eldest son served in World War II and died in 1995 a few years after passing the revolver on to his son Gordon. Some accounts dealing with Jess/Jesse
Wilson’s death in 1918 indicate he was a former ranger, and he is identified as a deputy constable and merchant policeman at the time of his death. An detailed account of his
death was published by Austin’s The Statesman on February 15, 1918, under the headline: “Policeman is Killed in Street Duel.” Wilson was shot in the head in a shootout with Deputy
Game Warden John W. Hill at the corner of Congress Avenue and Ninth Street in Austin, Texas, at 11 a.m. It is unclear who opened fire first, but multiple witnesses indicated Hill fired first. Wilson shot at least once and missed while Hill fired three shots from a .38 caliber Army Special revolver. Hill handed over his revolver and surrendered to the authorities, and one of Wilson’s brothers handed over his revolver. Both men were long term residents of Austin, and Hill was recently remarried and had only been a deputy game warden for a week or two at the time of the shootout. The two men had a conflict earlier in the morning at the Driskill Hotel where Wilson was the house detective and assaulted Hill in the restroom, kicking and shoving him into the lobby. Hill in turn punched Wilson in the face, and then Wilson struck Hill over the head with the butt of his gun and cocked it before Cal Wilmot stepped in to prevent further violence. Hill was also armed at the time. The two men then ran into each other again in the street. Hill claimed he was attempting to avoid an encounter when Wilson advanced towards him. After shots rang out, Wilson was mortally wounded, and Hill was unharmed. Hill was charged with murder, and details from the trial in March of 1919 relay much the same story as above, and Hill was ultimately found by the jury to be not guilty of murder. CONDITION: Very good with 98% plus replated chrome finish, scratches, and generally minor overall wear. Aside from chips at the toe on the left, the grips are also very fine and have minor wear. Mechanically excellent. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a very attractive inscribed Colt Single Action Army revolver documented to a Texas lawman killed in a dramatic gunfight.
112 Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500