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LOT 3093
Historic Documented
Miller Brothers Shipped
and “101” Marked Colt First
Generation Single Action
Army Revolver with 101 Ranch
Holster and Belt Rig and Factory
Letter - Serial no. 346944, 45 Colt
cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. The included factory letter lists
this revolver in .45 caliber with a 4 3/4 inch barrel and blue finish (grips not
listed) and indicates it was one of fourteen guns of this type in a shipment to Miller
Bros. in Marland, Oklahoma, on March 7, 1925. The revolver has standard sights, the two-line
barrel address, “45 COLT” on the left side of the barrel, the two-line patent marking on the frame,
matching serial numbers on the frame and the right side of the grip straps, matching partial serial
number “44” on the rear of the cylinder, and assembly number “1590” on the loading gate and back
of the frame. “18” has been stamped on the recoil shield, left side of the frame, and left side of the
trigger guard. “101” is marked on both sides of the frame and at the top of the back strap. The back
side of the right grip is marked “S.R.J.” The brown leather double loop holster and cartridge belt have
beaded borders and “101 RANCH/REAL WILD WEST” markings. The holster also has some light tooling,
“4 1/2” on the upper loop and “113” on the lower loop, and “BILL BYRNE” hand marked towards the top.
Very few Miller Bros. 101 Ranch firearms are known today. Cochran’s “Peacemaker Encyclopedia” states: “Miller
Brothers - The well-known owners of the 101 Ranch of Ponca, Oklahoma and operators of the famous wild-west show from Marland, Oklahoma. This family and
show received shipments of Peacemakers with one revolver known with ‘101’ stamped on it.” There are also known examples that are not recorded as shipped
directly to Miller Bros. that have similar “101” markings, generally in the same condition as the current example. The Miller Bros. ran the famous 101 Ranch founded
by their father, Confederate veteran Colonel George Washington Miller in 1893. After his death in 1903, it was run by his three sons, George Jr., Joe, and Zack. They
established their famous Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show in 1905. Many of their performers had previously been part of Buffalo Bill’s famous show, including appearances by
Buffalo Bill himself as well as other notable western figures such as Geronimo. They began touring in 1907 and also toured Europe as World War I was about to break out and had many
of their Native American performers arrested. Due to the war, the show was temporarily halted in 1916-1925, but in 1925 when this revolver was shipped, they were reviving the show,
and it continued to operate until 1931 when the Ranch went into receivership. Several of their performers became major Hollywood stars, including Will Rogers and Tom Mix, and the
Oklahoma Historical Society indicates that the Miller Bros. “leased equipment and loaned employees to the Bison 101 Film Company, which produced Western films in California.”
CONDITION: Good with traces of original blue finish and mostly an honest Wild West look with mostly a gray and brown patina overall, moderate wear consistent with extensive use in
Wild West Shows, and minor oxidation/pitting. The caliber marking on the barrel has been re-engraved. The replacement grips are good and have extensive wear. Mechanically fine.
The holster and belt rig are good with moderate wear and some repairs. Overall, this is an exciting and rare opportunity to get your hands on a genuine Miller Bros. shipped 101
Ranch Colt Single Action Army revolver.
Estimate: 7,500 - 15,000
LOT 3094
Rare 50-Count Colt Single Action Army Picture Box for .45 Long Colt Blank Cartridges by United States Cartridge Co. - This is a rare 50-count
box for United States Cartridge Co. .45 Long Colt blank cartridges for the Colt Single Action Army revolver. The box is of cardboard construction with
a yellow label on the lid featuring black text and imagery including the manufacturer name, an image of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver, and
states that the cartridges are for “COLT’S NEW BREECH LOADING ARMY REVOLVER, ADOPTED by the UNITED STATES ARMY for the CAVALRY SERVICE”
as well as that the shells can be reloaded many times and has a thin diagonal label that reads “Blank Cartridges,” over top of the yellow label. No
cartridges included.
CONDITION: Fine, the empty box shows mild aging and some edge wear with the label retaining mostly strong color as well as distinct text and
imagery, and opened seals. No cartridges included. This 50-count picture box for .45 Long Colt blank cartridges would display well alongside a Colt
Single Action Army.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
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