Page 58 - 4095-BOOK1

LOT 44
Iconic, Exceptionally Well-Documented,
Winchester Model 1892 Lever Action “Mare’s
Leg” with Holster Rig Used On-Screen by the
Legendary Hollywood Actor Steve McQueen as
Josh Randall in “Wanted Dead or Alive” - Serial no.
852678, N/A cal., 9 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut
stock. Originally manufactured in 1918, this particular
Model 1892 lever action and its holster rig are instantly
recognizable and iconic, standing proud as both
Hollywood treasures and true pieces of Americana.
This “Mare’s Leg” is extensively documented as one
of those used on-screen by the “King of Cool”, Steve
McQueen (1930-1980), in the television show that, in
many ways, launched him into stardom, a show called
“Wanted Dead or Alive”.
The story of this iconic firearm truly begins with the
television series “Trackdown” (1957-1959), particularly
the March 1958 episode titled “The Bounty Hunter”.
The up and coming actor Steve McQueen was hired to
play “The Bounty Hunter” in that episode, a character
named Josh Randall. It appears that, at the time,
the episode may have actually been intended as a
pilot episode for a spin off series, which Four Star
Productions had already been considering. The show
“Trackdown” itself was already a spin off of “Zane
Grey Theater”. It is believed that someone within
the production company, possibly John Robinson,
suggested a “gimmick” or eye-catching weapon for
McQueen’s bounty hunter character, likely to help gain
approval for the spin off. Little did they know how truly
iconic this “gimmick” would become.
To create such an unforgettable weapon, it is noted by
many sources that McQueen himself sought out the
eccentric artist, motorcycle fabricator and enthusiast,
pin striper, gunsmith, metal fabricator, counterculture
icon, and apparent friend, Kenneth “Von Dutch”
Howard (1929-1992). It is not entirely certain when the
friendship between Von Dutch and McQueen began,
but it was likely not long after McQueen’s move to Los
Angeles in 1955, given the similar circles they ran in. It
is believed that it was McQueen and Von Dutch jointly
that came up with the final design of the weapon,
with Dutch being the one who actually made the
modification. This partnership is clearly evidenced
in one of the plethora of included photographs with
the gun, which shows McQueen standing next to
Von Dutch in his shop, who is holding the “Mare’s
Leg”, both admiring their handiwork. The included
documentation states that this specific gun was the
one originally used in the “Trackdown” episode and
the one that McQueen originally christened the “Mare’s
Leg”. Included correspondence between the consignor
and McQueen’s wife indicates that she is unsure if the
guns were made by Von Dutch or by the Stembridge
prop company, but given the other sources and the
included photographs, the writer believes it to be the
work of Von Dutch. In “The Life of Steve McQueen”
by Jon Zimmerman, McQueen is quoted as saying
“We took a Model 92 Winchester lever-action rifle and
turned it into a belt gun by sawing off most of the
barrel and fitting it with a special stock. This gave us
the power and accuracy of a rifle with the mobility and
easy handling of a revolver. And it looked fierce!”
Along with this iconic firearm, a special holster rig
was also created, that allowed the “Mare’s Leg” to
be on full display at almost all times. This unique
holster rig is included and is of an open design with
a hanging hook and spring type clip. The producers
of the show decided to fit the cartridge loops with
.45-70 cartridges, which this belt has, because they
believed they looked more powerful and intimidating
on camera. The belt and holster are unmarked, and
the belt is fitted with a large brass buckle with clipped
corners.
An article from American Rifleman claims that, being
a method actor, McQueen actually took a “Mare’s Leg”
to a shooting range and fired live ammunition through
it, which may have been where its unique name came
from. Being lightweight, with a short barrel, and no
stock to brace against, it is claimed that McQueen
stated the gun kicked like a mare’s leg. Even with the
blanks that were initially used for filming, it is claimed
that the muzzle blast from the shortened 9 inch barrel
was so intense that it was decided to use quarter-load
blanks thereafter.
McQueen’s performance as Randall, as well as the
first brief appearance of the “Mare’s Leg”, was enough
to catch the audience’s attention and make Richard
Powell, the founder of Four Star Productions, green-
light the spin off, despite his initial skepticism of
McQueen, who didn’t even know how to ride a horse.
The only issue with this spin off was the timing, as
the American television market in 1958 was already
saturated with Westerns. Seven out of the top ten and
twelve out of the top twenty performing shows that
year were Westerns. This included iconic shows such
as “Gunsmoke”, “Have Gun Will Travel”, “Wagon Train”,
“Maverick”, and “The Rifleman”. It seems that between
McQueen’s commanding on screen presence and the
unique firearm his character would be slinging, the
producers felt they had the makings of a show that
could hold its own amongst a crowded field. It is noted
in “Steve McQueen: A Biography” by Marc Eliot that
McQueen sought out the magnificent gun handler,
quick-draw artist, and Hollywood icon Sammy Davis Jr.
for pointers and lessons for his new role.
The spin off show was titled “Wanted Dead or
Alive”, with the first episode airing on 6 September
1958. Initially, the show was unpopular among
critics including a review in Variety, which said that
McQueen’s “Acting is ok.” As was typical of Hollywood
at the time, two more “Mare’s Leg” guns were made
as spares for use in filming. The two extras that were
created both sported octagon barrels, setting them
apart from this example. All three of the guns were
initially fitted with a modified “D-loop” lever, which
can be seen in some episodes of the show and some
of the included photographs. However, all three were
modified to the current tear-drop shaped lever shortly
after the first season began airing.
56