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John Wayne remains a household name to this day, having played a
starring role in iconic films such as “Flying Leathernecks”, “She Wore a Yellow
Ribbon”, “The Longest Day”, “Rio Bravo”, “The Alamo”, “The Green Berets”,
“The Comancheros”, and “True Grit”. There is a plaque inside the display case
attributing the revolver and saber as worn by John Wayne in the movie “She
Wore a Yellow Ribbon”, RKO 1949 (RKO marking is for RKO Pictures). This
revolver and saber previously sold through Bonham & Butterfields in 2003,
where they were also attributed to having been carried in “She Wore a Yellow
Ribbon”, and it is stated that Wayne likely also carried the saber in the final
installment of John Ford’s “Cavalry Trilogy” titled “Rio Grande”, which released
in 1950. Included with the lot are copies of a 1976 dated appraisal of John
Wayne’s personal gun collection, which was carried out by The Grant Boys, this
saber as “Officer’s Field Sword Cavalry Late 1800’s” and the revolver is listed
by serial number as “Army Revolver Circa 1865 .44 cal.” Manufactured in 1861,
the included factory letter confirms the configuration of the revolver as well
as shipment to captain R.H.K. Whiteley of the U.S. War Department at the New
York Arsenal on Governor’s Island, New York on 27 August 1861 as part of a
500 gun shipment. It has renumbered serial numbers and an incorrect style
added “US” on the trigger guard under the serial number and a faint cartouche
on the left of the grip. It was a movie prop! The saber is of the typical French
M1822 light cavalry pattern, very similar to the U.S. M1840 pattern that was
widely used during the Civil War, and it has a nickeled scabbard. The spine of
the sword is marked “RKO. 1949 J.WAYNE” over what remains of the faint French
arsenal markings. Also included is a black leather cavalry style holster and
belt rig with U.S. marked buckle and a few pouches, as well as a photograph
of John Wayne in costume for “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon”. Plus a photo of this
Colt 1860 Army movie revolver alongside his Colt SAA used in the filming of
“True Grit”, which we sold in October 2021. The revolver and saber are mounted
in an included display case, which measures 27 3/4 x 47 3/4 inches overall and
is the same as the case containing John Wayne’s “True Grit” vest which we sold
in our August 2024 Premier Firearms Auction.
CONDITION: Fair as modified for a movie prop, retains mostly a smooth grey
patina, some scattered patches of light pitting, and the brass showing an
attractively aged patina. The grip is good with mild wear and some minor
handling marks. Mechanically untested as cased. The saber is very good with
an attractively aged patina overall and the scabbard retains much of the nickel
finish with some mild spotting and patina. The holster/belt rig is generally
good or better. The case is excellent with very minimal handling/storage wear.
Provenance: The John Wayne Collection; The Gary Hess Collection;
Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 30,000 - 45,000