Page 129 - 4093-BOOK3

LOT 3189
Historic Documented Pair of Colt Pre-War/Post-War Single
Action Army Revolvers with Pearl Grips Presented to Brace Beemer, the Iconic Radio Voice of the Lone Ranger with
Factory Letter and Holster Rig -A) Colt Pre-War/Post-War Single Action Army Revolver - Serial no. 357252, 45 Long
Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
pearl grips. This pair of Colt Single Action Army revolvers
had their serial numbers applied in 1940 and were later
assembled and shipped in 1948, making them a rare and
desirable variation known to collectors as a “pre-war/post
war”. These “pre-war/post-war” Colt Single Action Army
revolvers are generally found in the 356,000 and 357,000
serial number range, with the majority being assembled
in 1947 and 1948 in small batches produced two to three
days a week and only for a few
months of the year. At
the time, the revolvers
were assembled
either directly
by or under the
supervision of
master gunsmith
Harry St. John, with those assembled or inspected by him
marked with a “F” on the left rear triggerguard bow, as is the
case with both of the revolvers offered here. Based on research by author Don Wilkerson presented on p. 28 in “Colt’s Single
Action Army Revolver Pre-War Post-War Model”, a total of only 15 pre-war/post-war revolvers were built in this configuration, with
only 355 total being made and .38 Special being by far the most common caliber produced. Interestingly, these revolvers appear to
have barely been marketed, with the vast majority being used as presentations to factory employees, business leaders, ammunition
manufacturers, government and military officials, and actors and entertainers, as was the case with this pair. The included factory
letter lists these two revolvers together and confirms their configurations including the grips, as well as presentation to Mr. Brace Beemer
“The Lone Ranger” and shipment to Paint Creek Acres in Oxford, Michigan on 4 February 1948 as a two gun shipment. Beemer became
the radio voice of the Lone Ranger in early 1941 and remained in that role until the last episode in late 1954. Beemer made many public
appearances as the Lone Ranger but was somewhat inexperienced in television and movie acting, leading to the more experienced Clayton
Moore being chosen to portray the Lone Ranger in the television show. However, because Beemer’s voice was so synonymous with the
Lone Ranger character, Moore imitated his voice through the early episodes of the show. Later in life, Beemer raised thoroughbred horses
on his Michigan ranch, Paint Creek Acres, and he died in 1965. The factory letter is addressed to Beemer’s son Richard and includes an
additional letter from Colt Historian M.S. Huber stating that it was his recollection that the revolvers were presented by the Colt company in
appreciation for Beemer incorporating some of the history of Colt’s Single Action Army revolver into the scripts for the show. He goes on to
state that he was personally a fan of Beemer and enjoyed many evenings listening to the Lone Ranger in the 1940s and 1950s. The revolvers
themselves have the standard one-line address on the barrels, two-line patent dates on the left of the frames followed by the Rampant Colt,
and the previously mentioned “F” inspection marks on the left of the trigger guards. The matching serial numbers are on the bottom of the
frames and on the right of the grip frames. Both of the revolvers have standard features and are fitted with a pair of smooth pearl grips, with
the grips on revolver “357252” appearing to be a later replacement pair that is backed with hard rubber. Included with the revolvers is a
desirable dual holster Hollywood style gun belt rig made by famous Hollywood maker Arvo Ojala, with his maker’s mark on the inside of the
belt, and his “designed by” mark on the inner surface of each holster. The belt is also hand signed on the inside with the message, “Made for
Richard Beemer. Good luck. Good shooting. Arvo Ojala”.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 95% plus of the professionally refinished blue and case colors with some very light muzzle wear, a few
scattered light handling marks, and a light cylinder drag line. The grips are very fine with a minor scratch and chip on the right panel and
otherwise a few light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The holster rig is very good with some light handling wear and scattered light
scuffs from being worn. This is an incredible opportunity to not only own a documented pair of “pre-war/post-war” Colt Single Action Army
revolvers, but also a pair that were presented by Colt to the Lone Ranger, Brace Beemer!
B) Colt Pre-War/Post-War Single Action Army Revolver - Serial no. 357268, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, pearl grips. As described in “A”.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 95% of the professionally refinished blue and case colors with some light muzzle/handling wear, a few
scattered light handling marks, and a faint cylinder drag line. The grips are also very fine with a minor chip absent from the rear bottom
corner of the left panel and otherwise a few light handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: Brace Beemer, radio voice of the Lone Ranger; his son, Richard B. Beemer; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 10,000 - 15,000
AS DISCUSSED
IN THE BOOK
COLT'S SINGLE
ACTION ARMY
REVOLVER
PRE-WAR
POST-WAR
MODEL BY
WILKERSON
127