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LOT 113
Historic Documented Denver, Colorado,
Shipped Colt Etched Panel Sheriff’s Model
1877 Thunderer Double Action Revolver
with Presentation Inscribed Grip and Factory
Letter - Serial no. 22117, 41 Long Colt cal., 2 1/2 inch
round bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. The accompanying
factory letter states the revolver was shipped to famed Denver,
Colorado, retailer John P. Lower on January 9, 1880, with a 2
1/2 inch barrel in .41 caliber, nickel finish, and hard rubber grips.
This was a six gun shipment. The barrel has the desirable “COLT DA
41” acid etched panel on the left side. The two-line Hartford address
is marked on top of the barrel. “41 CAL” is marked on the left side of
the trigger guard. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent
dates marking. The left grip panel features a presentation inscription:
“Compliments/of/Tom R. Jennings/3.1.10.” Tom R. Jennings served in the Confederate army
during the Civil War and later became a prominent Texas lawyer and legislator who died
on May 4, 1910, just two months after the inscription date on the grip. Matching serial
numbers on the frame, cylinder, trigger guard, and back strap.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 85% untouched original nickel plating with gray patina
on the balance. The acid etched panel is clear. The age shrunken grips are fine with minor
handling marks, crisp inscription, and attractive aged mellow appearance. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
LOT 114
Well-Documented, Historic, Arapahoe County,
Colorado Inscribed Antique Winchester Model
1886 Lever Action Rifle with Factory, Sheriff’s
Department, Colorado State Archives, and Turnbull
Letters - Serial no. 89692, 40-82 WCF cal., 26 inch
round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
Manufactured in 1894, this rifle is one of approximately
50 Winchester Model 1886 rifles bearing the inscription
“Arapahoe County” on the left of the receiver, which were ordered in response to
Denver, Colorado’s “City Hall War”. The included factory letter with this rifle confirms the current configuration as
well as the engraving, and shipment on 14 July 1894. Included with this rifle is a copy of a letter provided by the Colorado State Archives which states that Arapahoe County Sheriff’s
Office paid $743.15 for the M1886s in September 1894, an additional $19.30 was paid to Winchester in November 1894 and the total number of guns delivered to the sheriff’s office
remained undetermined. A copy of a letter from the Arapahoe Country Sheriff’s Department provides the historical context behind the firearms purchase. Also included is a copy of a
serial number list of these 52 rifles, 50 of which were inscribed with “Arapahoe County”, one with the county sheriff’s name, and another with the name of likely a high ranking police
official. This rifle is shown by serial number on that list. In the early 1890s Colorado faced political upheaval that ultimately led to the Denver’s City Hall War which took place in March
1894. This clash between the governor and Denver’s city government originated in a series of scandals involving the Denver police department. Governor Davis Waite was convinced that the
police board was not doing enough to combat crime and gambling. The state legislature passed a law giving the governor the power to remove and appoint local police and fire board members,
and Waite quickly acted on his new given powers. He demanded the resignation of both the police and fire board members. The board members refused, and County Sheriff Burchinell appointed 500 special deputies,
ordered additional firearms and ammunition, barricaded City Hall and defied the governor’s threats to seize the building. After 10 days, Governor Waite ordered the Colorado National Guard to reclaim City Hall and even
requested federal troops to join in the siege. National Guardsman armed with cannons and Firemen standing outside the building was a sight for concern among residents who were able to convince Waite to stand down and
refer the matter to the Colorado Supreme Court. While the Court ruled in favor of the Governor for having the authority to remove city board members, the justices reprimanded Waite for escalating the matter, specifically when he
requested federal troops at Fort Logan to join the National Guardsman. Later, that year, Waite lost his re-election bid. This rifle was undoubtedly purchased because of the local and state clash in Arapahoe County. Apart from the
factory Arapahoe County inscription, the rifle has standard markings, blade front and elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sights, and is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate. An included
letter from Turnbull Mfg. Co. stating that the rifle was restored by the company in 2013. Also included is a deputy sheriff’s badge by Sachs-Lawlor of Denver, Colorado.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine as restored by Turnbull Mfg. Co., retains 99% plus of the blue finish and vibrant case colors with only the slightest handling marks overall. The restored wood is also exceptionally fine with only the
slightest handling marks. Mechanically excellent. This is a very attractively restored example of one of the scarce Arapahoe County, Colorado inscribed Winchester Model 1886 rifles!
Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000
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