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LOT 185
James Rodgers Sheffield Bowie Knife with Sheath - Measuring 14 1/2 inches overall, with a 9
inch long spear point blade marked “CAST STEEL/BOWIE KNIFE” on the left flat and “JAMES RODGERS/
CELEBRATED/MAKE.SHEFFIELD” on the left ricasso, with a narrow tang concealed by the hilt. Fitted
with a German silver guard and collar and a one-piece rosewood grip which is smooth on
the upper half and carved in a burst pattern. Includes a red leather sheath with pressed scroll
decoration, German silver throat, and an iron tip.
CONDITION: Good, with pitting and polishing on the blade and minor chips and dings on the grip.
Sheath is also good, with loose furniture secured by a length of wire and mild scuffing and stains.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,500
LOT 184
Well-Documented Lehigh Indian Territory Shipped Antique Colt Model 1878
Flattop Target Double Action Revolver in .32-20 WCF Caliber with Factory
Letter, Featured in Don Wilkerson’s Book “Colt’s Double-Action Revolver,
Model of 1878” - Serial no. 27357, 32-20 WCF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, hard rubber grips. The accompanying factory lists this revolver
as shipped in a single gun shipment on January 20, 1891, to E.C.
Meacham Arms Co. in St. Louis, Missouri, with
the added note “For: Mr. Dufour/Lehigh Ind. Terr.,” in .32-20 caliber, with a 7 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, type
of stocks not listed, and the letter further states, “Records do not indicate this firearm to be a Target model.”
Although not confirmed in the factory letter, this revolver has features of a target model, with a flattop frame
and target sights. This exact revolver is featured on page 108 of Don Wilkerson’s book “Colt’s Double-Action
Revolver, Model of 1878” (published 1998), where it is noted as being out of the Charles Marx collection, and
page 109 states, “On January 20, a revolver in .32-20 caliber with a 7 1/2” barrel was shipped to E.C. Meacham
Arms for Mr. Dufour, Lehigh, Indian Territory. This revolver is included in my survey. The revolver is a flat-top
target revolver with adjustable sights. It shows no signs of alteration and is assumed to be original. The factory
ledgers make no mention of the target configuration. Lehigh, Indian Territory, was established in 1880 as a coal
camp.” The referenced Lehigh Indian Territory is located in Lehigh, Oklahoma. Only 970 Model 1878 revolvers in
total were reportedly shipped in .32-20 WCF caliber, with 261 listed as shipped with a 7 1/2 inch barrel length
and blue finish (likely a very small fraction of those being flattop target revolvers), according to figures on page
305 of Don Wilkerson’s aforementioned book. Designed by William Mason, Colt’s factory manager, and Charles
Brinckerhoff Richards, Superintendent of Engineering, the Model 1878 revolver was intended to be a double
action alternative to Colt’s legendary Single Action Army revolver. The Model 1878 was not considered to be as
popular as its single action cousin; however, there were still many that favored it in the West for its firepower,
including Captain Jack Crawford, who replaced Buffalo Bill Cody as “Chief of Scouts” shortly after the Battle of Little Bighorn. The top of the barrel is marked with the one-line Hartford address, with “32 W.C.F.” on the left of the
barrel. A small “G” is marked on the left of the trigger guard. Full serial number marked on the butt, with an unnumbered cylinder, and assembly number “254” on the loading gate. It is fitted with a target blade front sight, dovetail
mounted notch rear sight, a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the tops, and a lanyard swivel on the butt.
CONDITION: Good with plenty of frontier character, showing smooth gray and brown patina, with traces of original blue finish in protected areas, some patches of light pitting, and defined markings. Grips are very good, with some
minor handling marks, and defined checkering and logos. Mechanically functions. A rare example of a Colt Model 1878 flattop target revolver in .32-20 WCF, shipped to Lehigh Indian Territory!
Provenance: Dean Williams; The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,500
LOT 183
A.P. Casey Sub-Inspected U.S. Colt
Cavalry Model Single Action Army
Revolver - NSN, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2
inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This U.S.
contract Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army revolver has faint remnants
of its period removed serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and butt of
the back strap showing what appears to be part of “16906” which would indicate it was manufactured in 1875.
These serial numbers may have been removed by an individual who captured it out west and carried it outside
of U.S. government inventory. Partial serial number “6906” is clearly visible on the cylinder and barrel beneath the ejector
housing. It features inspection initials of Ordnance Sub-Inspector A.P. Casey, with his small “c” initial visible on the bottom of
the barrel and rear face of the cylinder. The barrel has a blade front sight and is roll-stamped with the script address “+COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD, CT, U.S.A.+”
on top. The frame has the two-line Colt patent markings followed by a “U.S.” property mark. “P” proofmarks stamped on the underside of the barrel and side of the
cylinder. Assembly number “638” stamped on the inside of the loading gate. A diamond shaped design is period carved on the left of the grip.
CONDITION: Good, showing character of a gun that saw use out west with a fresh appearance, retains traces of original blue finish concentrated on the sides of the ejector housing,
traces of original case colors on the protected forward sides of the frame, with frontier gray patina and freckling, some light pitting, and a legible barrel address. Grip is also good as
sanded and re-oiled, with dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
As pictured & described in
Colt's Double-Action Revolver,
Model of 1878 by Wilkerson
Collector’s Fact
According to "Colt's Double-Action Revolver,
Model of 1878" by Wilkerson, only 261 Colt
Model 1878 revolvers were shipped in .32-20
WCF, with a 7 1/2 inch barrel and blue finish.
190