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LOT 3021
Attractive George Woodhead
Sheffield Bowie Knife with Lion
Pommel and Sheath - The George
Woodhead firm was in operation under
his name alone from 1849 to 1875 at
36 Howard Street in Sheffield, before later becoming known as George Woodhead & Sons. Like most Sheffield knife
maker’s, Woodhead’s largest market would have been in the United States, especially during the Civil War and westward
expansion. It measures 11 5/8 inches overall with a 7 3/8 inch clip point blade marked “G. WOODHEAD/36 HOWARD
STREET/SHEFFIELD” on the left ricasso. The elliptical guard is German silver. The coffin shaped grip has a cast silver lion
“dormant” pommel and smooth pearl grip scales with a blank German silver escutcheon on the left. The included sheath
is of dark brown leather with faint gilt floral motifs and German silver fittings.
CONDITION: Very good, the blade mostly a bright grey patina with scattered light pitting throughout, moderate wear
from use, and clear markings. The German silver is lightly aged and bright. The grips are fine with a minor crack in the
right panel. The sheath is good with moderate wear and a partially separated seam. An attractive knife from one of
Sheffield’s most desirable makers!
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 3018
Desirable Special Order Winchester
Model 1876 Lever Action Rifle
with Very Scarce Full Nickel Finish and Factory Letter - Serial no. 9937, 45-75 cal., 28 inch octagon
bbl., nickel finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1880 this is a desirable example of a Winchester Model 1876 rifle that was special ordered with full nickel finish and
a set trigger. The included factory letter lists the rifle with an octagon barrel, set trigger, and full nickel finish when received at the warehouse on 21 February 1880
and shipped the same day. According to noted Winchester historian and author George Madis, approximately one out of every 90 Model 1876s had a plated finish and
one out of every 14 had a set trigger. This example has the second model receiver with the dust cover guide retained with two screws and the dust cover with the flush checkered
“thumbprint” grip area. The top of the barrel has the standard two-line address and King’s patent markings, and both the barrel and cartridge elevator correctly lack caliber markings
.45-75 W.C.F. was originally the only caliber offered, with .45-60 and .50-95 being introduced just a year before this rifle was made. The upper tang has the model marking, and the serial
number is marked on the lower tang. The assembly number “XXX 569” is marked on the left of the lower tang, with “569” repeated in the stock inlet and inside the
buttplate. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight, elevation adjustable notch rear sight, and the upper tang has a factory drilled and tapped hole for a peep
sight with a filler screw in place. It is mounted with a very finely figured, smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Very good plus, with 30% of the original nickel finish remaining, mostly visible in sheltered areas and the balance a mixture of grey and brown patina.
The wood is also very good with a minor split in the grain on the left of the buttstock and some scattered minor handling marks. Mechanically functions fine,
although the set trigger does not work.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3019
Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver - Serial no. 186944, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2
inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1899, this is a solid
representative example of the iconic Colt Single Action Army revolver. The Single Action Army
is considered one of the legendary firearms of the Western Frontier and has truly become a globally recognizable piece of
Americana. Colt’s Single Action Army was one of the most prolific sidearms during the late 19th century, when the “west was won”, and continued its popularity in the
region well into the 20th century, riding its reputation for simplicity and rugged dependability. This example is marked with the standard one-line address on top of the
barrel and the caliber marking on the left. The left side of the frame is marked with the two-line patent dates, followed by the circled Rampant Colt. The matching serial
number is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The assembly number “661” is marked inside the loading gate. It is fitted with the standard
blade front and frame-top groove rear sight, as well as a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the tops (unnumbered).
CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% plus of the original blue finish and 25% of the original case colors with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina in the form of
mild handling/holster wear, typical of a frontier sidearm. The grips are also fine with a few light handling marks and some mild handling wear. Mechanically excellent. A standard
configuration Colt Single Action Army that certainly looks like it may have seen the American West!
Provenance: The Collection of Ken Gibilisco.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 3020
Attractive and Desirable Tooled Leather “Slim Jim/California” Pattern
Single Action Army Revolver Holster with Cartridge Belt - Manufactured
c. late 1870s to early 1880s, this is a desirable holster rig of the “Slim Jim” or
“California” pattern, which were popular around the time the iconic Colt Single
Action Army revolver burst onto the scene. This style of holster was popular for a
couple decades prior to the release of the Single Action Army, but did not stay in
fashion long before being usurped by the “Mexican Loop” styles, making surviving
examples such as this very scarce. A very similar example to this one is pictured on
p. 91 of “Packing Iron: Gunleather of the Frontier West” by Rattenbury. The holster
shows tooled rosettes, a floral border, is marked “45” on the belt loop, and has a
sewn in toe. It is configured for a right handed shooter and will accommodate a
revolver with a 7 1/2 inch barrel. Included with the holster is a 2 inch wide cartridge
belt with a single row of .44/.45 caliber loops and a California clipped nickeled
buckle. The belt is hand marked very faintly with a name and “Denver/Colo.” on the
front near the billet. It measures 41 1/4 inches overall including the billet.
CONDITION: Very good, the holster showing
moderate wear, some minor age cracking, some
scuffs, and some of the tooling softened. The
cartridge belt is also fine with some light age
cracking, some minor scuffs, and the buckle
billet a later replacement. A desirable holster
from early in the period of the legendary Colt
Single Action Army revolver!
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500 23