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LOT 1107
Documented Nickel Plated Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver with Period Retailer Relief Steer Head Carved Pearl Grip and Factory Letter - Serial no. 347335, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. The Colt Single Action Army Revolver is arguably the most iconic American handgun. In the hands of
ranchers, cavalrymen, Native Americans, lawmen, and outlaws, the Peacemaker’s legacy was forged out in the hostile American West and continues
to gain popularity among today’s collectors. Offered here is a very attractive example of the legendary Peacemaker chambered in the iconic .45 LC caliber
and fitted with jeweled eyed relief carved steer head pearl grips. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was sold to Bell & Bates Hardware (address unavailable) and shipped on March 24, 1925 to Belknap Hardware & Mfg. Co. of Louisville, Kentucky with a 7 1/2 inch barrel in .45 caliber, nickel finish, and type of stocks not listed. This was a single gun shipment on order number 21526/1.The barrel has the standard one-line Hartford address on top and “45 COLT” on the left side. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking followed by a Rampant Colt. The matching serial number appears on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The revolver wears a set of pearl grips featuring a jewel eyed relief steer head carved on the right panel.
CONDITION: Extremely fine, retaining 90% plus original nickel plating with flaking mostly contained to the cylinder. The grips are fine with a chip at
the lower forward (right side), crisp carving, re-glued replaced ruby eye, and highly
attractive fiery colors. Mechanically excellent. A nickel plated
inter-war period Colt SAA with attractive relief carved pearl
grips that displays nicely.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
LOT 1108
Attractive Tooled Leather “Mexican Loop” Holster Attributed as by W. Wellman of Montana with Cartridge/Money Belt - Manufactured c. 1880s to early 1900s, this very attractive tooled holster is attributed to William Wellman of White Sulfur Springs, Montana. A very similar example of Wellman’s work is pictured on p. 93 of “Cowboy Culture: The Last Frontier of American Antiques” by Friedman. Examples of holsters by Wellman are very rare, making even an example such as this, which appears to have had the maker’s mark removed during the period of use, very desirable. The holster has extensive and well-executed tooling throughout and is in the classic “Mexican Loop” configuration with dual loops, the top loop wider than the bottom. The top loop has a cutout oval shape where a maker’s mark appears to have once been. It has a sewn in teardrop shaped toe plug, recurved throat, and will accommodate a Colt Single Action Army Revolver with a 7 1/2 inch barrel. Includes a cartridge/money belt which bears no maker’s mark and is stamped “5943” on the buckle billet. There are some faint markings in ink showing locations and dates including “MINNESOTA/1917”, “MEXICAN SIERRAS 1915”, “LABRADOR 1914”, and “BRAZIL 1915”. It has a single row of cartridge loops for .44 or .45 caliber cartridges and a money pocket opening near the clipped corner, nickeled buckle. It measures 2 3/4 inches wide and 41 3/4 inches long including the billet.
CONDITION: Very good, the holster and belt show significant wear and moderate age-related cracking, typical of a well-traveled holster rig that likely originated in the Northern Plains of the Frontier. A few of the cartridge loops have been reattached with glue and most of the stitching on both remains tight. A rare opportunity to own a W. Wellman attributed holster!
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
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