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LOT 96
Documented Austin, Texas Shipped
“Frontier Issued” Antique Colt Single Action Army
Revolver with Holster and Factory Letter - Serial no. 174130,
45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber
grips. Manufactured in early 1898, this is a solid example of the
iconic Colt Single Action Army revolver documented as shipped
to Austin, Texas, when many areas of that state, as well as places farther west remained very
much untamed. The Colt Single Action Army is one of the most legendary firearms of the
American west, and it, alongside the Winchester Model 1873, are often cited as the “guns that
won the west”. This example certainly has the look of “been there, done that” and is easy to
imagine having spent many years as a frontier sidearm. The included factory letter lists the
revolver in .45 caliber with a 7 1/2 inch barrel, nickel finish, and rubber grips when shipped
to Walter Tips as a single gun shipment on 13 May 1898. Period newspapers list a Walter
Tips as a senator and also as a prolific businessman in Texas. The standard one-line address
is marked on top of the barrel and the caliber marking is on the left. The two-line patent
dates and circled Rampant Colt are on the left of the frame. The matching serial number is
on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, with the assembly number “465” on the loading
gate. It is fitted with the standard blade front sight, frame-top groove rear sight, and a pair of
checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the tops. Included with the revolver is a
lightly tooled “Mexican loop” pattern leather holster that has a similar “frontier issued” look to
the revolver and is marked “3547” and “7 1/2” on the back. Also includes a letter from Tommy
Rholes stating that the Walter Tips listed in the letter was a hardware store during the period.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% of the original nickel finish with some mild flaking throughout
showing mostly an untouched original grey-brown patina on the balance with some light
pitting, typical of a revolver that spent many years in a holster as a trusted companion on the
frontier. The very good grips show even moderate wear and handling marks, consistent with
having been pointed many times throughout its service. Mechanically excellent. A Single
Action Army with the look of having been a part of “winning the west”!
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 95
Historic “Frontier Issued”
Browning Bros. Ogden, Utah
Retailer Marked W. Moore & Co. 10 Gauge Underlever Double
Barrel Hammer Shotgun - Serial no. 1915, 10 gauge, 24 inch solid rib bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut
stock. Manufactured c. the 1870s, this is a seldom encountered example of one of the unsung heroes of frontier firearms that is full of western
character. While not as celebrated as the iconic Colt Single Action Army revolvers or the legendary Winchester lever actions, double barrel hammer shotguns
like this example were, without a doubt, one of the ever-present workhorses of the American West. The simplicity of these guns, as well as needing little
training to effectively use them, made them an ideal choice for self defense for many heading to the frontier. Shotguns like this one would have been a common sight behind
saloon bars, general store counters, and tucked under the seats of thousands of westward-headed wagons, giving their owners a welcome sense of security. The particular example
was originally made in Britain by William Moore & Co., before making its way to the heart of the American frontier and the shop of firearms icon John Moses Browning. By the second year of the Civil
War, Browning was working his father’s shop repairing firearms. By 1878, Browning had developed his first firearm design and began producing them in a small shop in Ogden, Utah along with his younger
brother Matthew. Besides producing their own firearms, the Brownings sold and repaired a plethora of other arms, including shotguns such as this one. By 1880, only a little over 6,000 residents lived in Ogden,
and Utah remained a relatively lightly settled and quite untamed western territory. The barrel rib on this example has a laminated steel marking as well as the added marking of the Browning Bros. shop. The lock plates
are both marked “W.MOORE&Co” and have light floral border engraving. The serial number and British proofs are marked on the watertable. It is fitted with a makeshift bead front sight made of a nail on the concave rib. It has
a checkered splinter forearm with an ivory inlay at the tip and pistol grip stock with a blank German silver escutcheon on the bottom
of the stock and smooth steel buttplate. The wrist has an interesting period repair utilizing brass plating and screws, which very well
may have been carried out in the Browning Bros. shop, quite possibly by John Moses Browning himself.
The length of pull is 14 1/4 inches.
CONDITION: Very good, retaining distinct twist patterns on the barrels, a mixture of brown and grey patina overall, and some
scattered light oxidation, typical of an arm that spent years in the harsh environment of the American west. The well-worn wood is
good showing the scars, and both unique and attractive repairs of a life on the frontier. Mechanically functions. A historic frontier
piece that passed through the shop of the legendary John Moses Browning!
Estimate: 4,000 - 7,000
LOT 97
“Frontier Issued” Colt Model 1861 Navy “Belly Gun/Avenging
Angel” Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 38153, 36 cal., 3 1/4 inch round bbl.,
blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. This interesting Colt Model 1861
Navy revolver was manufactured c. 1873, right around the end of 1861 Navy production,
and period modified into what is often called a “belly gun” or “avenging angel” by shortening the
barrel, fitting a bead front sight, and removing the loading lever. These frontier modified sidearms
are some of the fore fathers of today’s specialized concealed carry firearms, and could be easily
tucked away in a boot or coat pocket and used in any number of tricky situations one might find themselves in during
America’s “Wild West” period. It is easy to imagine a revolver such as this being carried by a gambler. The barrel has
part of the New York address visible. Unnumbered barrel, wedge, and cylinder, with a non-matching numbered
cylinder arbor pin, and remaining matching visible serial numbers. An included old cursive handwritten hang tag
states that this revolver belonged to a “Hugh Canovan” who was shot and killed by a “Benj. Rider” in Columbia, California in the “year
of 1872” and further states “Benj. Rider was later acquitted finding he had acted solely in self defense. Canovan drew his gun first but
Rider was too fast, shot him before he could shoot.” A conflicting burial record was located in relation to Hugh Canovan, listing him as
living between 1823 to April 15, 1861, and “History of Tuolumne County, 1888” states, “Hugh Canovan, aged 38, stabbed
to death in Columbia by B.F. Ryder, who escaped conviction.” Based on the manufacture date of this revolver, the link to
this incident cannot be substantiated.
CONDITION: Very good, exhibiting desirable signs of a frontier carried revolver, retains 30% original blue finish on the barrel, traces of
original silver plated finish in protected edges of the trigger guard, scattered brown oxidation and smooth gray patina on the balance,
with a defined cylinder scene. Grip is good as re-oiled, with general handling marks and period wear. Mechanically functions.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 98
Historic San Patricio County, Texas Sheriff’s Badge - Manufactured c. the late 1800s to early 1900s,
this attractive Texas sheriff’s badge is believed to have belonged to David Odem, who was sheriff of San
Patricio county from 1882-1886 and then again from 1892 until 1914, serving the county for a total of
26 years. Odem is noted as not wearing a gun often, a rare occurrence for a Texas lawman of the time,
and instead typically just demanding the peaceful surrender of the fugitive he was after. It is said that
the vast majority of his arrests were made in that manner and his rate of conviction was unequaled,
demanding the respect of the county. In 1903, Odem was put on trial for the killing of Romaldo
Rosales, but he was exonerated on the grounds of it being self-defense. The badge itself is made of
brass with a stamped/case design which includes a spread-winged eagle atop a shield, with multiple
banners on the front face. The banners are hand-engraved with “COUNTY/SHERIFF/SAN PATRICIO/TEX.”
and there is a red ruby gemstone inset in the center of the shield.
CONDITION: Fine, showing a darkened, attractively aged patina overall, typical of a Texas frontier-worn
lawman’s badge, with the cast designs and engraving remaining crisp. This Texas sheriff’s badge would be a
fantastic addition to a frontier firearms collection!
Provenance: The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 5,000 105