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LOT 3121
J.P. Lower Retailer Marked Antique Colt
Sheriff’s Model 1878 Double Action Revolver
- Serial no. 7056, 45 Long Colt cal., 4 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1881. The
accompanying Colt archive letter indicates the shipping record
was unable to be located for this revolver. Only 560 ejectorless Sheriff’s
Model 1878 revolvers were reportedly shipped in .45 Long Colt caliber,
with 290 listed as shipped with a 4 inch barrel length and blue finish,
according to figures on page 216 of Don Wilkerson’s book “Colt’s Double-
Action Revolver, Model of 1878” (published 1998). The desirable retailer
marking “J.P. LOWER/DENVER COL.” is marked on the left
side of the frame. 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.
This Sheriff’s Model revolver correctly lacks an ejector rod
assembly. The top of the barrel is marked with the two-line Hartford address,
with “45 CAL” on the left of the trigger guard. Full serial number marked on the
butt, with the matching last two digits on the rear face of the cylinder. It is fitted
with a blade front sight and groove top strap rear sight. A period script name
that appears to read “F M Doule” is hand inscribed on the back strap.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 20% original blue finish strongest in protected
areas with smooth brown patina and frontier freckling, with distinct retailer
markings. Grips are good, with a few repairs and general wear. Mechanically
excellent.
Provenance: Doug Carlson; The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
According to "Colt's Double-Action
Revolver, Model of 1878" by Wilkerson,
only 290 Colt Model 1878 revolvers are
listed as shipped in this configuration.
Collector’s Fact
LOT 3120
Historic, “Frontier Issued” J.P. Lower, Denver, Colorado Marked Civil War Issued
Spencer Model 1860 Repeating Carbine Converted to Sporting Rifle Configuration with Research Documents - Serial no. 20221,
45 cal., 31 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Originally manufactured c. 1863 for use during the Civil War, this carbine
is documented as originally issued to an Illinois cavalry trooper. In the included Springfield Research Service letter, it is confirmed that this Spencer was
issued to Private Orlando Ailshire of Co. G, 12th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry. Ailshire was born in Hancock County, Illinois and was 19 years old when he joined
the regiment on December 23, 1863. The 12th Illinois saw extensive action during the Civil War. The 12th Illinois fought as part of the Army of the Potomac from
Malvern Hill in April 1862 through Rappahannock Station in October 1863, taking part in all major battles and numerous small actions. The 12th was then transferred to the southern theater
and fought at Alexandria and Bayou Teche, Louisiana. The 12th had been moved to Napoleonville, Louisiana on June 11, 1864. Shortly after, around June 27, 1864, Ailshire died of typhoid fever.
Research materials pertaining to the 12th Ill. Vol. Cav. and copies of Ailshire’s service records are included in this lot. This Spencer was previously noted as being listed by serial number as issued to Ailshire in
Eugene and Linda Solyntjes’ book “The Search for Corporal Dow” on p. 31. After the war, it appears that the carbine was sold as surplus and made its way westwards, eventually landing at the legendary J.P. Lower shop
in Denver, Colorado, where it was converted into a sporting rifle and then “frontier issued” to continue its service for years more. Having proven themselves on the battlefields of the Civil War, these Spencer conversions would
have been an easy sell and were often available at a lower cost than guns like a Henry or Winchester lever action. The top barrel flat is marked “J.P. LOWER”, and the receiver over the breech has the standard Spencer Repeating Rifle
Co. markings. The serial number is on the upper rear of the action and an “M” inspection mark is on the left. It is fitted with a front sight base in the
dovetail (blade absent) and a fixed notch rear sight. The saddle ring bar on the left was removed during the conversion process. It is mounted with
a smooth Schnabel tip forearm and the original straight grip stock with sling swivel on the bottom and the military pattern buttplate.
CONDITION: Good as Civil War and “frontier issued” showing a mix of grey and brown patina, some mild pitting, and scattered minor dings, typical
of a rifle that saw years of use in wartime and in the American West. The wood shows the scars of service on the frontier with cracks, dings, and
slivers absent. Mechanically functions. A historic Spencer conversion linked to both the Civil War and one of the frontier’s best known gunsmiths,
J.P. Lower!
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,500
LOT 3122
Attractive
Tooled Holster
and Rare
S.C. Gallup
Saddlery
Co., Pueblo,
Colorado,
Cartridge/
Money Belt - Manufactured prior to 1892, this is a very
attractive holster rig for a 4 3/4 inch Colt Single Action Army
revolver that includes a Colorado maker’s marked cartridge/
money belt. The belt is of very high quality and is marked as made
by S.C. Gallup of Pueblo, Colorado. It is said that Gallup was able to set
up his shop in Pueblo in 1869 with the help of E.L. Gallatin of Denver, with Gallup later
opening locations in Dodge City and Durango, and by 1892 he had formed a partnership
with R.T. Frazier, changing the name of the company. The belt itself is constructed of
russet skirting leather, has a single row of .44/.45 caliber cartridge loops, a money pocket
opening near the buckle, a rectangular nickeled buckle, and the maker’s mark in an
oval on the billet. The billet was moved back during the period of use to make the belt
smaller. The belt measures 2 1/2 inches wide and 42 3/8 inches long. Included with the
belt is an unmarked holster made of similar skirting leather, with two retention loops,
and attractive border tooling on both the body and the back skirt. There are two holes
drilled at the toe through the back skirt where they were once secured to each other.
The holster is configured for a right handed shooter and will accommodate a 4 3/4 inch
barreled Single Action Army revolver.
CONDITION: The belt is fine with some mild wear, some light age-related cracking, and
a few areas of stitching slightly loose. The holster is about fine with moderate wear and
some light age-cracking. A rarely seen Gallup Colorado cartridge belt and an attractive
holster!
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000 115