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LOT 1142
Desirable Documented New Orleans Shipped Black Powder Colt Sheriff’s Model Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 183450, 41 Colt cal., 3 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, smooth grips. Manufactured in 1899 in “Sheriff’s Model” configuration with factory documented 3 1/2 inch barrel. 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 SAAs 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 Keith Cochran’s estimates presented in “Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Volume 1,” only 32 SAAs out of the total Sheriff’s Model production run were chambered in .41 caliber. Only those chambered in .38 Colt caliber had lower production numbers (8 units). While production numbers are still up for debate, this .41 caliber Sheriff’s Model is certainly in a rare configuration missing from even the most advanced collections. The revolver correctly lacks an ejector rod. The barrel has the two-line Hartford address on top and “41 COLT” on the left side. The left side of the frame has the two-line, three-date marking followed by an encircled Rampant Colt. Matching numbers are found on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped to A. Baldwin & Co. of New Orleans, Louisiana, on April 26, 1899 with a 3 1/2 inch barrel in .41 caliber, blue finish, and type of stocks not listed. This was a six gun shipment. 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 SAA was at the front lines. This example has all the appearance of serving as a trustworthy companion. CONDITION: Good displaying a brown-gray patina associated with a working revolver that spent a lifetime in the challenging environment of the American South with slight traces of faded original blue finish in the cylinder flutes. The slightly age shrunken grips are fine showing wear and tear from spending years in the hand and very attractive grain and mellow age appearance. The back strap has been polished in an attempt to remove inscription, which is illegible. Mechanically excellent. A New Orleans shipped black powder frame Colt Sheriff’s Model Single Action Army Revolver showing the grime and grit of a true turn of the century working gun of the South. Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 1143
Historic Camp County, Texas Sheriff’s Badge with Inscription Attributed to Sheriff J.D. Stafford, a Confederate Cavalry Veteran - Established in 1874, Camp County is located in northeast
Texas, the county seat being Pittsburg. This desirable sheriff’s badge is attributed to having belonged to James D. Stafford (1847-1933), who served as county sheriff for two terms from 1884 to 1888 and from
1890 to 1904. Included documentation shows that Stafford enlisted in the Confederate army in November of 1863, serving in Company I of the 3rd Georgia Cavalry, and was discharged in 1865. Stafford is also
noted in the documents as having served as a deputy sheriff before being elected, as well as having “a way of catching horse thieves and other fugitives from justice that is peculiar to himself. He catches
them every time.” The badge itself is a lightly engraved, six-pointed star that is marked “CAMP/ SHERIFF/COUNTY TEX.” at the center. The back of the badge is fitted with a pin and is inscribed
“FRANCES to JIM”. Frances is listed as Stafford’s wife in the included documentation as well as on his death certificate, where it is misspelled “Francis” (not included).
CONDITION: Fine, retaining faint traces of the original silver plating with the balance an attractively aged brass and crisp engraving overall with minimal handling marks. An attractive piece of Texas history! Provenance: The Greg Lampe Collection. Estimate: 2,500 - 5,000