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LOT 3059
Rare and Desirable J.A. McDonald Single Action Army Revolver Holster
with Cartridge/Money Belt - Manufactured c. 1880s to 1890s, this is a rare and
desirable example of a J.A. McDonald marked holster with a cartridge/money belt.
Little information is available about J.A. McDonald other than, like many frontier
holster makers, he was primarily in the business of saddles, bridles, and other
horse tack. “The Expositor” of Alamosa, Colorado in December of 1883 shows
a J.A. McDonald saddler in the town “on State Avenue between Fifth and Sixth
Streets”. The makers mark is prominent in an oval on the body of the holster with
Alamosa spelled “Alamoosa”, the body having scalloped tooling around the edges
and being retained by three loops cut from the skirt. The holster is configured for
a right handed shooter and will accommodate a 7 1/2 inch barreled Single Action
Army revolver. Included is an unmarked cartridge/money belt which shows similar
wear to the holster, is 3 inches wide, has a single row of .44/.45 caliber cartridge loops, and a money pocket opening near the nickeled
California style buckle. The billet of the belt is marked “3569/44” and it measures 41 inches including the billet. Along with being from a
very rarely seen maker, Alamosa is a town steeped in frontier outlaw history.
CONDITION: Near fine, with some mild wear, scattered light age-related cracking, and a crisp maker’s mark on the holster, while
the cartridge/money belt shows similar condition with the numbers on the billet faint. A rare western made triple loop holster and
cartridge belt that would be a fine addition to a frontier collection!
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 40% original nickel
finish with a smooth dark gray associated with
a well traveled sidearm on the balance, proving
that not all art hangs on the wall. The grips
are very good and show similar working gun
character with a few chips. Mechanically fine. A
documented, fine original example of a factory
engraved, pearl stocked Colt Single Action Army
Revolver with a few stories to tell!
Estimate: 15,000 - 25,000