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LOT 156
Desirable G.H. and J.S. Collins, Omaha, Nebraska Tooled Leather “Slim
Jim/California” Pattern Holster with Cartridge Belt - Manufactured c.
early 1870s. Brothers Gilbert H. and John S. Collins first set up their saddle
and leather goods making
and wholesaling
business in Omaha,
Nebraska in
1864, but quickly
discovered that many
of their goods were
more popular further west. From 1872 to 1876, John served as the post trader
at Fort Laramie, expanding their business to Cheyenne in the Wyoming Territory.
This example bears the early Omaha, Nebraska address. It is made of brown
saddle skirting leather in the typical “Slim Jim” or “California” style with a deeply
cut floral tooling and the maker’s mark/address stamped on the narrow belt loop
on the back. It has a high arched throat profile and an open toe. This holster will
accommodate various 7 and 7 1/2 inch barreled revolvers, including those by
Merwin & Hulbert, Colt, Remington, and Smith & Wesson, and it is configured for
standard draw for a right handed shooter. The included cartridge belt is unmarked
and has a single row of cartridge loops that appear they will accommodate .44 or
.45 caliber cartridges. Interestingly, the belt was period modified with a narrower
section towards the right side to accommodate the very narrow belt loop on
the holster. The belt is 2 1/4 inches wide at its widest and measures 43 inches
long including the billet.
CONDITION: Fine, holster with some mild wear, minor scuffs, some age-
related cracking, and very distinct tooling. The cartridge belt is good with
moderate wear, period modification (see above) and some age-related
cracking. A rare “Slim Jim/California” pattern holster from very early in the
cartridge revolver era!
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 155
First Generation
Colt Frontier Six Shooter Single
Action Army Revolver with Factory
Letter with Heiser Holster, and
Factory Letter - Serial no. 201463,
44-40 WCF cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl.,
nickel finish, pearl grips. The Colt
Single Action Army in .44-40 was
named the “Frontier Six Shooter”,
after J.P. Moore’s Sons ordered some
in 1878. Single actions in .44-40 were
particularly desirable in the West because
they could use the same ammunition as the
popular Winchester Model 1873 rifles and carbines. Since then the .44-
40 WCF Single Action Army has found a
special place in the hearts of Peacemaker
collectors. The factory letter states it was
shipped to Simmons Hardware Co. of St.
Louis, Missouri, on November 5, 1900 with
a 5 1/2 inch barrel in .44-40 caliber, nickel
finish, and type of stocks not listed. This was a single gun shipment. The barrel has the iconic “COLT FRONTIER SIX
SHOOTER” marking stamped on the left side along with the one-line Hartford address on top. The frame has the
standard two-line patent dates marking followed by an encircled Rampant Colt. The revolver wears a set of highly
attractive pearl grips. Matching serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, and backstrap. The included
open top leather holster was made by H.H. Heiser of Denver Colorado.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 97% of the period replated nickel with some scattered handling marks and limited
pitting under the finish. The slightly oversize replacement grips are very fine with a slight chip near the top (right
panel) and highly attractive fiery colors. Mechanically excellent. The holster is fine.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 153
Attractive Black Powder
Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Factory
Letter - Serial no. 41581, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch
round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, varnished walnut grips.
Manufactured originally in 1877, this revolver has been completely
professionally restored late in the 20th century. The Colt factory letter
that accompanies the revolver confirms the serial number, caliber, finish
and states that it was 1 of 50 shipped to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham, N.Y., N.Y.
on October 18, 1877. The type of stocks and barrel length are “Not Listed”. The letter further
states that a 7 1/2 inch barrel and walnut stocks were considered standard issue for that
time period. The revolver has a casehardened frame and hammer, and the remaining metal
has the high polished Colt blue finish. The grip is a smooth one-piece walnut. The top of the
barrel is marked with the one-line address: “-COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co HARTFORD CT. U.S.A-.”, the left side of the
frame is marked with the three line, three patent date marking, and “45 CAL” is marked on the left rear trigger
guard shoulder. The loading gate is stamped with the assembly number “548”. The serial number is located on
the frame, trigger guard and back strap, and the partial number “1581” is marked on the cylinder. All of the serial
numbers match.
CONDITION: Near new as professionally restored overall with only the slightest handling marks overall.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 154
Colt Bisley Model Single Action Army Revolver in .32
W.C.F. - Serial no. 289902, 32-20 cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl.,
blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured
in 1907, the revolver was subsequently returned to the factory for
refurbishing/rebarreling and is so marked on the right rear trigger
guard bow. These Bisley revolvers were designed by Colt with accuracy
and target shooting in mind, making .32 W.C.F. which was known for
its accuracy a popular caliber in the model. The same accuracy that made
these revolvers popular with target shooters also endeared them to people on the Western
Frontier who depended on their sidearm for survival. The top of the factory replacement barrel
is marked with the one-line address while “(BISLEY MODEL)/COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .32-
20” is marked on the left. The frame has the two-line patent dates marking followed by an
encircled Rampant Colt. Matching serial numbers are found on the frame, trigger guard, back
strap, and both grip panels.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 60% factory refinished blue finish with smooth gray patina on the balance. Traces of
case colors remain on the hammer and frame. The grips are good and well worn from spending generations in
the hand. Mechanically excellent. A Colt Bisley Model .32 WCF revolver with a story or two to tell.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500