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LOT 1153
Red Skelton’s Screen Worn Pair of Colt
Second Generation Single Action Army
Revolvers with Steer Head Carved Pearl
Grips and Silver Mounted Arvo Ojala
Holster Rig with Documentation
-A) Colt Single Action Army Revolver - Serial
no. 30657SA, 45 Colt cal., 4 3/4 inch round
bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. This iconic pair of Colt Single Action Army
revolvers and their Arvo Ojala silver mounted holster rig are accompanied
by a handwritten certificate of authenticity signed by Richard “Red”
Skelton’s wife, Lothian Skelton, on August 29, 2013, confirming the “hand
guns were personally owned and cherished by Red Skelton.” It lists them
by serial number, confirms the grips, and states that they included a
custom black leather rig with silver trim. Skelton was and is a beloved
American entertainer and is best known for “The Red Skelton Show.” This
pair and the holster rig are featured in Season 11 of the show in Episode
4: “Dead Eye & the Gun Slinger” from October 17, 1961. For 17 of the 20
years the show ran, it was in the top ten highest rated programs on
television. Skelton was also cast in many comedic films. Among his
most popular films are “The Fuller Brush Man,” “The Yellow Cab Man,”
“A Southern Yankee,” and “Lady Be Good.” He started his career as a
live performer and remained a talented stage performer throughout
his life. He was also an excellent painter and was known for his clown
paintings. He received numerous awards over the years and is part of
the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Both of these revolvers were manufactured in 1960 and are fitted
with pearl grips with the right grip of “A” carved with a steer head
and the left grip of “B” carved with the same so that the carving
shows when the revolvers are holsters. Both revolvers have the
standard markings and features including matching serial numbers.
Interestingly, the back straps were swapped from one gun to the other so
gun A’s back strap is numbered to gun B, and vice versa. A black leather
rig by Arvo Ojala of Hollywood, California, complete with two holsters
and a cartridge belt is included. The strap tip and buckle are silver and
are engraved with detailed scrollwork. Ojala began making quick draw
holsters in the early 1950s and became an important technical advisor
in the mid-20th century teaching actors how to shoot and quick draw at
impressive speeds. He also appeared in westerns, including most famously
in the opening sequence of “Gunsmoke” as the man shot by
Marshal Matt Dillon.
CONDITION: Excellent. 98% plus of the original nickel plating remains.
There is a thin drag line on the cylinder, some light flash marks, a small
flake on the muzzle, and some faint spotting. The grips are excellent aside
from chips on the toe and at the junction with the rear of the frame on
the left panel. Mechanically excellent. The holster rig is very good
and has mild wear mainly at the edges and attractively aged
patina on the silver.
B) Colt Single Action Army Revolver - Serial no. 28722SA, 45
Colt cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., nickel finish,
pearl grips. See “A.”
CONDITION: Excellent. 97% plus of the unpolished original
nickel plating remains. The is some flaking on the muzzle
and top strap, a thin cylinder drag line, light flash marks,
faint spotting, and some light handling and storage
marks. The grips are very good and have minor chips
in one of the horns and on the heels. Mechanically
excellent. This is a rare opportunity to get your
hands on a pair of screen worn Colt Single Action
Army revolvers and Ojala holster rig owned by
the legendary actor Red Skelton.
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
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