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LOT 3135
Desirable Engraved Colorado City, Texas City Marshal Badge Made by C. Stubenrauch of San
Antonio, Texas - Manufactured 1881-1890s by C. Stubenrauch of San Antonio, Texas, this is a very fine
example of a city marshal badge from one of the most prominent cattle towns in west Texas during the
period. Originating in 1877 as a Texas Rangers camp, the town that originally grew out of it was simply
known as “Colorado” after the river it sat along. From then, the town rapidly grew into a bustling cattle
and market town, and in 1881 the arrival of a railway station and post office spurred the change of name
to “Colorado City”. Like many of the cattle towns in Texas during the period, Colorado City was known
for being rough and rowdy, having its fair share of gunfights, brawls, saloons, brothels, and gambling. In
1883, the El Paso “Daily Times” noted that, “We think that Colorado City is somewhat like a great many
other western Texas towns—a good place to make money in, but rather a poor one, just yet, to carry
a family to and make a home in.” By 1884-1885, the city’s population was estimated at around 6,000
and local businesses, as well as crime, were booming. In 1885, two local lawmen were killed in the city,
deputy marshal W.B. “Black” Hardeman and deputy sheriff Wayne Parks. It is believed that at this time,
that Jim Woods was the city marshal, and quite possibly wore this badge. The badge itself is made of
German silver, is the iconic shape of a five-pointed star, and is attractively stamped with border and
banner designs. The text “COLORADO CITY/MARSHAL/TEXAS” are hand engraved on the front face. The
lightly struck C. Stubenrauch maker’s mark is on the back side, with most of it not legible.
CONDITION: Very fine, showing the attractively aged patina of life on the frontier, pinned proudly to a
lawman’s chest. The German silver remains mostly bright with some darkening in the grooves, while
the engraving and stamping remains crisp. A fantastic piece of “Wild West” history from one of the true
cattle towns of Texas!
Provenance: The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 3136
Rare Documented Austin, Texas, Shipped Antique Colt Sheriff’s Model 1877 “Rainmaker” .32 Colt Double
Action Revolver with Pearl Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no. 94375, 32 Colt cal., 3 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel
finish, pearl grips. The accompanying factory letter states this revolver was shipped in a single gun shipment on
May 31, 1893, to merchant Walter Tips in Austin, Texas, in .32 caliber, with a 3 1/2 inch barrel, nickel finish, and type
of grips not listed. This is one of only approximately 200 of Colt’s Model 1877 revolver that were chambered in .32
Long Colt and nicknamed the “Rainmaker,” per Sutherland and Wilson on page 325 of “The Book of Colt Firearms”
(1971 publication). Making this specific example even more rare, is the fact that it is in Sheriff’s Model configuration,
having a 3 1/2 inch barrel and no ejector. Though the nicknames “Rainmaker,” (.32 caliber) “Lightning,” (.38 caliber) and
“Thunderer” (.41 caliber) are all excellent marketing material, they were not names ever actually used by Colt. These
nicknames are believed to have been coined by the famous Colt distributor, Benjamin Kittredge, who is also believed
to have been responsible for giving the Single Action Army its iconic nickname, “Peacemaker.” Walter Tips (1841-1911)
was a prosperous hardware merchant located in Austin, Texas, where historical markers still stand where his house and
Walter Tips Company hardware store were located, and was notably a Texas state senator between 1893-1896. A native
of Germany and a Civil War Confederate Texas veteran, he was also an active civic leader and helped found the Austin
National Bank. Tips hardware store was located at 710 Congress Ave in Austin, Texas, and was active starting c. 1872.
The top of the barrel is marked with the two-line Hartford address, with “COLT. D.A. 32” on the left. The left of the frame
has the three-line patent date markings and the circled Rampant Colt. Matching visible serial numbers on the frame,
trigger guard, and back strap, with no visible number on the cylinder. Assembly number “127” marked on the loading
gate. It is fitted with a blade front sight, groove top strap rear sight, and a pair of period correct pearl grips.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% plus bright original nickel finish, with isolated small patches of light pitting on the
left rear frame, bright polished cylinder, and sharp markings. Grips are very fine, with highly attractive fiery colors, and
distinct edges. Mechanically excellent. This documented Austin, Texas, shipped Colt Sheriff’s Model 1877 “Rainmaker”
.32 revolver with pearl grips is a highly desirable specimen, a missing piece in even the most advanced Colt collections!
Provenance: Wally Francis; The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 6,000 - 11,000 121