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LOT 123
Historic New York Engraved Antique Colt Single Action Army
Revolver with Pearl Grips, New Mexico Maker Marked Holster,
Belt Rig, and Factory Letter, Attributed to Lawman Dan Tucker of
Silver City, New Mexico - Serial no. 30050, 45 Long Colt cal., 5 1/4 inch
round bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. The accompanying factory letter
lists this revolver as shipped on November 1, 1876, to J.P. Moores Sons
in New York City, in .45 caliber, blue finish, with barrel length and type of
grips not listed. The letter further remarks that the unlisted barrel length
and grips are a common indication of a 7 1/2 inch barrel and walnut
grip, which were standard for the period. This was a 39 gun shipment.
The revolver is embellished with well-executed New York engraving
that displays the characteristics of deluxe patterns associated with L.D.
Nimschke, consisting of floral scrollwork on punchdot backgrounds, with
wavy zigzag line and dot designs. The standard one-line Colt Hartford
address is stamped on top of the barrel, with the caliber marking “45
COLT” on the left in a border. The two-line patent dates and circled
Rampant Colt are on the left of the frame. Matching visible full serial
numbers on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap,
with partial matching number “0050” on the cylinder, and assembly
number “3318” on the loading gate. The revolver is finished in nickel.
It is fitted with blade and groove sights, and highly attractive period
retailer two-piece pearl grips. A personal identification number is hand
inscribed on the bottom of the barrel. Includes a period brown leather
holster with maker marking of J.J. Gibson of Silver City, New Mexico, a
brown leather belt rig with cartridge loops, Deputy Marshal Silver City
badge with number 2, and a binder containing consignor research from
the Pembertons that attributes this set to Dan Tucker (c. 1849-1892),
a Deputy Sheriff and Town Marshal of Silver City, New Mexico. In the
binder is an aged old piece of paper with the handwritten name “Dan
Tucker” that was reportedly once attached to the badge as it came to the
Pembertons. Dan
Tucker reportedly
became the first
Town Marshal
of Silver City in
1878, as well
as continuing
to serve as a
Deputy Sheriff.
He is known by
the nickname
“Dangerous
Dan” Tucker in
reference to
his quick and deadly actions in taking down outlaws as a respected
gunfighter of the Old West, to which he was believed to have killed just
shy of 20 men during his lawman career, and all the while established
a positive reputation which earned him the title of U.S. Deputy Marshal
from Grant county New Mexico in 1885.
CONDITION: Very good as New York embellished, retains 60% retailer
applied nickel plated finish, with charming frontier brown patina and
freckling on the balance, period shortened barrel, and mostly defined
engraving. Grips are also very good, with general western wear, a few
chips, and highly attractive fiery colors. Mechanically functions. Holster
and belt rig are fine, with some general age related cracking. This New
York engraved Single Action Army revolver, with ties to
Lawman Dan Tucker, is full of character and well worthy of
any American firearms collection!
Provenance: The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection.
Estimate: 10,000 - 16,000