Page 100 - 4094-BOOK1

LOT 88
Historic Antique Colt Black Powder Frame Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army
Revolver Inscribed to C.D. Markham, Wyoming Blacksmith, Hotel Owner, and Oil
Man with Chaps, Rig, Badge and Research - Serial no. 128050, 44-40 WCF cal., 4 3/4 inch
round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1889, this is a solid
representative example of a Colt black powder frame “Frontier Six Shooter”, which found
popularity on the American frontier from when it was first introduced in 1877. Chambered in the
.44-40 W.C.F. cartridge, these revolvers were the perfect sidearm to pair with Winchester’s Model 1873
lever action, which was more often than not chambered in the same caliber, and also became a legendary
icon of the American West. Having these two weapons in the same caliber meant that their owner only needed to source
and carry one type of ammunition, a distinct benefit in less settled areas of the frontier where certain cartridges might be
tough to come by. The included photocopy of the factory letter confirms the current configuration and lists shipment to
R.R. Buffham at an unknown address on 22 June 1889 in a six gun shipment. The back strap on this revolver is inscribed
“CD Markham”. Clifford D. Markham is noted as having arrived in Basin, Wyoming in 1903, where he initially purchased
a blacksmith shop. Markham, along with others, appears to have become quite wealthy around that same time with the
discovery of oil in the Elk Basin, which was quickly drilled and tapped. In 1910, Markham and his wife opened the Markham
House Hotel, which was perfectly timed with an early Wyoming oil boom. The couple operated the hotel until 1916, when
Mrs. Markham fell ill. Markham leased the hotel for 10 years while he cared for his wife, who eventually died in 1926. He then took
over management of the hotel again until 1935, when he passed ownership of the hotel to his sister-in-law. The revolver has the
standard two-line address on top of the barrel, and the three-line patent dates are marked on the left of the frame. The caliber
marking is on the left front of the trigger guard. The back strap is hand engraved with the previously mentioned inscription,
which appears to have been done with some sort of pneumatic graver. The matching serial number is on the bottom of the frame,
trigger guard, and back strap. The assembly number “108” is on the loading gate. The standard front sight was shortened/reshaped
some time during the period of use. It is fitted with a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the tops and
American eagles at the bottoms. Includes a leather holster and cartridge belt, with the belt hand marked “CD Markham” in ink.
Also included is a German silver deputy sheriff badge, a framed informational plaque, a pair of leather chaps with German silver
conchos and brass tack decoration, and a small binder of information related to Markham and the Markham House Hotel.
CONDITION: Good, showing mostly a smooth grey patina overall and some scattered light pitting throughout, typical of a
sidearm that spent time on the western frontier. The grips show mild handling wear and some scattered light handling marks.
Mechanically excellent. The holster rig, badge, chaps, and plaque are all fine with some minor handling/storage wear and some
mild staining on the dry chaps. A solid example of a Colt Frontier Six Shooter with “the look” and an inscription linking it to the
American West!
Provenance: The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
98