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LOT 1128
Rare Documented Seattle, Washington Shipped Black Powder Colt Sheriff’s Model Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 122396, 44-40 WCF cal., 3 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. Offered here is a Colt Single Action Army revolver in highly sought after “Sheriff’s Model” configuration with factory documented 3 1/2 inch barrel and shipped to the Western frontier. The ejectorless Colt “Sheriff’s Model” Single Action Army revolver is one of the rarest and most sought after variations of the legendary Peacemaker. In “The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver, 1873-1895” the authors stressed the rarity of the ejectorless Single Action Army as a whole (barrel lengths ranged from 2 1/2 to 7 1/2 inches in the study) and state that “just under 600 ejectorless Single Action Army revolvers were produced in all calibers from 1882 to the 1930s.” Based on the authors’ research, Colt only produced 24 Sheriff’s Models with a 3 1/2 inch barrel in .44-40 WCF and blue finish in the 1-164100 serial number range (page 338). You are certainly looking at a rare Colt! Adding to the gun’s desirability is the fact that it was shipped to Seattle, Washington. Whether on the hip of a lawman, carried by an outlaw or under the counter of a storekeeper’s shop, the “Sheriff’s Model” Colt Single Action Army was at the front lines of the American frontier. This example has all the appearance of serving as a trustworthy companion. The factory letter states the revolver was shipped on March 19, 1890 to Gordon, Hardware Co. of Seattle, Washington, with a 3 1/2 inch barrel in .44-40 caliber, blue finish, and hard rubber stocks. This was a two-gun shipment. The revolver correctly lacks an ejector rod. The barrel has the two-line Hartford address on top and the iconic “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” stamped on the left side. The underside of the barrel carries “44” in small font for the caliber designation. The left side of the frame has the three-line, three-date marking. The left side of the trigger guard is marked “44 CAL.” Matching serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. CONDITION: Very good. The revolver has 30% blue with the balance a smooth mottled brown patina with strong traces of the original blue finish in the cylinder flutes. The frame has 30% of the case colors present, mostly in the forward portion with the balance a mottled silver gray patina, with shadows of the once present case colors. The correct style replacement grips are fine, having faded to brown showing some small areas of moderate wear in the otherwise crisp checkering. The markings are clear. The action is excellent. A truly exceptional, crisp Colt Sheriff’s Model 44-40 revolver that would be difficult to find a duplicate as fine as this example! Provenance: The Gateway Collection. Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000
LOT 1129
Historic Inscribed J.L. Davis Sheriff Sutton County Texas Badge
with Extensive Documentation - Created in 1887 and organized in 1890, Sutton County is located in south-central Texas with the county seat of Sonora. This very desirable sheriffs badge is inscribed “J.L. DAVIS/ SHERIFF/SUTTON COUNTY” and is in the rare form of a seven-pointed star, with each point having ornate floral designs. James L. Davis was born in 1855 in Elgin City, Texas to a farm family. At age 19 in 1874, Davis joined the newly formed Texas Rangers and served in Company D of the Frontier Battalion. This was during the post-reconstruction period when the urgent need for law enforcement was spurring a resurgence of the Rangers which had been whittled away during the Civil War and after. The Frontier Battalions saw significant action in the lawless areas along the Mexican border during the period. In the 1890s Davis moved his family to Sonora in Sutton County, Texas and by 1892 was serving as a Sutton County deputy sheriff. On 2 April 1901, the notorious outlaw Will Carver, a member of Butch Cassidy’s “Wild Bunch” gang, was shot and killed by Sutton County deputies, including Davis. The sheriff had been warned of Carver’s arrival, who came with an accomplice to scout the bank in Sonora, which they planned to rob. The sheriff, Davis, another deputy, and the town constable all went to apprehend the two with guns drawn. After a shout of “hands up!”, Will Carver drew his gun and the lawmen opened fire. Both Carver and his accomplice were killed. In 1902, Davis was elected Sutton County Sheriff and went on to serve two terms, after which he retired and operated a ranch near Sonora. In July 1914, while visiting Mineral Wells, Texas, a large fire broke out involving many buildings. Davis attempted to help, having been previously a volunteer fireman. He was overcome by smoke and heat exhaustion and died not long after at the age of 59. Included with the badge is a binder of extensive research about J.L. Davis, Will Carver, and others, as well as photographs. CONDITION: Very fine, the badge shows a mostly bright, attractive, lightly aged patina with crisp designs and engraving. A real tangible piece of Texas lawman history documented to a Texas Ranger and County sheriff! Provenance: The Greg Lampe Collection. Estimate: 7,000 - 10,000