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SHERIFF THOMAS B. BASH (TOP RIGHT) OF KANSAS CITY SHOWS PROSECUTING ATTORNEY THOMAS A.J. MATIN THE WEAPONS HE CONFISCATED AFTER HIS SHOOTOUT WITH MOBSTERS SAM SCOLA (LOWER LEFT) AND GUS FASONE AFTER THEY KILLED RIVAL MOBSTER FERRIS ANTHON (LOWER RIGHT)
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LOT 138
Historic Cole Agee Style Engraved and Monogrammed to Public Enemy Number One Era Kansas City, Missouri Sheriff Thomas B. Bash Colt New Service Model Dual Caliber 44 Russian/44 S&W Special Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 328855, 44 Russian S&W special cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel/gold finish, smooth grips. The accompanying Colt factory letter lists the 5 1/2 inch barrel in .44 Special caliber, nickel finish and stag stocks. It was shipped to R.S. Elliott Arms Company of Kansas City, Missouri, on June 30, 1933, as a one-gun shipment. This revolver has the scarce “dual caliber” marking on the left side of the barrel: “NEW SERVICE” followed by “RUSSIAN & S&W SPECIAL 44”. The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A./PAT’D AUG 5, 1884 JUNE 5. 1900 APR 9 01 JULY.4. 1905”. The left side plate has the Rampant Colt behind the cylinder latch and the lower frame area above the trigger guard bow has the Colt “VP” verified proof. Nickel finish overall with gold- plated blade front sight, hammer, trigger, ejector rod head, screw heads, cylinder and cylinder latch. The deeply chiseled engraving is in the style of the renowned Southwest artisan Cole Agee and features elaborate full coverage on the frame sides. The exquisite scrollwork incorporates floral blossoms and dot border. The same engraved pattern is also featured on the front sight. The left side of the frame (ahead of the trigger) has the bold monogram: “TBB.” This revolver was ordered for and purchased by, just prior to a legendary gangland shootout, Jackson County, Missouri Sheriff, Thomas B. Bash. Sheriff Bash was involved in a shootout with mob machine gunners in the act of murdering gangster Ferris Anthon on the early morning of August 12, 1933. Bash killed two of the assassins and arrested a third assassin. The arrested gunman was Kansas City political boss Tom Pendergast’s enforcer, Charles Gargotta. “Boss Tom” Pendergast was a patron of the early political career of Harry S. Truman who, as County Judge in the aftermath of Gargotta’s arrest, cut the sheriff’s budget. Bash had earned the national reputation as being a fearsome law enforcer. In fact, Bash was only a few miles behind in the chase with the FBI agents who confronted and killed Pretty Boy Floyd. CONDITION: Very fine as period decorated and embellished. The revolver retains 98% nickel finish showing a spot of gray on the trigger guard and some minor handling marks overall. The front sight, ejector head, cylinder, cylinder latch, hammer and trigger retain much of the gold plating (most of the loss contained to the cylinder). The lanyard swivel hole has been uniquely plugged with a .22 caliber cartridge case (head visible), a creative touch. The grips are very fine with a few hairline age cracks and a small chip missing from the bottom (right panel). The color and grain pattern are very attractive. The engraving is very crisp and sharp. Mechanically excellent. A dual tone, Cole Agee attributed engraved Colt New Service .44 Russian/.44 S&W Special revolver belonging to a noted public enemy number one era Sheriff that would be a great addition to even the most advanced Colt collection. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500