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LOT 3048
Desirable Documented New Mexico
Territory Shipped Antique Colt
Single Action Army Revolver with
Attractive Relief Carved Steer Head
Pearl Grips, Holster, and Factory Letter - Serial no. 121860, 45
Long Colt cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, pearl grips. Manufactured in 1887, this is
a solid example of a documented, New Mexico
Territory shipped, Colt Single Action Army revolver,
that certainly has “the look” of a frontier sidearm. The
Colt Single Action Army revolver remains, to this day,
arguably the most recognizable firearm associated
with the American West, with this particular example
exuding that wild, untamed spirit of the frontier. The
included factory letter lists the revolver in .45 caliber
with a 4 3/4 inch barrel, blue finish, and wood grips
when shipped to Manzanares & Co. in Las Vegas, New
Mexico Territory on 18 June 1887 as part of a 100
gun shipment. Las Vegas was originally established in
1835 from a land grant by the Mexican government.
Through the middle of the 19th century, Las Vegas
became an important trading town along the Santa Fe Trail, and in 1879, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa
Fe Railroad arrived at the town, though it remained quite “wild” until the turn of the century. Through the
1880s and into the early 1890s, the Hispanic vigilante and resistance group “Las Gorras Blancas” was active in
the area, conducting raids in an attempt to deter white settlers, ranchers, and prospectors from settling and
fencing off the region. This revolver has the early “black powder frame”, and the top of the barrel is marked
with the standard two-line address. The left of the frame is marked with the standard three-line patent dates. The caliber marking is on the left front
of the trigger guard bow. The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, with the “6” in the serial
numbers of the trigger guard and back strap stamped over a five, likely a factory corrected error. The cylinder is “J.T.C.” inspected, lending to the fact that
Colt used U.S. rejected parts. The left and right of the trigger guard is non-factory stamped “11” and “L” respectively, and the back strap appears to have a
similar stamp of “1/L”. The loading gate has the assembly number “703”. It is fitted with the standard blade front and frame-top groove rear sights, as well
as a pair of very attractive pearl grips with a relief carved steer head on the right panel and Colt medallions at the tops. Includes a lightly tooled “Mexican
loop” leather holster with an included note stating that it was worn by D.F. Garnett Sr. while ranching in Matador, Texas, and was passed on by his son D.F.
Garnett Jr. Also included is an 1891 dated check from Browne & Manzanares Co. and an unidentified brass collection tag.
CONDITION: Good, retaining strong traces of the original blue and casehardened finishes in sheltered areas, the balance mostly grey or brown patina,
and a few scattered patches of mild pitting, typical of a “frontier issued” sidearm. The grips are also good with some edge/corner chipping and minor
handling marks, a sign of having been carried for many years in the harsh American West. The safety notch is absent, but the revolver mechanically
functions. The holster is good with moderate wear and period repairs. A desirable example of Colt’s legendary Single Action Army revolver that carries all
the spirit of the western frontier!
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 3046
“Frontier Issued” Antique Special Order Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Short Rifle
with Scarce Documented 20 Inch Octagon Barrel with Factory Letter - Serial no. 396901B,
44 WCF cal., 20 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1891, this is rare
example of a special ordered Winchester Model 1873 short rifle with a desirable 20 inch barrel that
certainly has the look of a gun that spent time in the American West. According to Winchester historian and author
George Madis, only one out of every 450 Model 1873 rifles was ordered with a shorter than standard barrel. The included
factory letter lists the rifle in .44 caliber with a 20 inch octagon barrel and plain trigger when received at the warehouse on 3 October 1891 and no
shipping information available. This is an incredibly scarce configuration, particularly in a non-deluxe grade, as purchasing a Model 1873 carbine at the time would have net you a very
similar configuration at a lower price. Whatever the motivations of the original buyer, it would have made for a very handy little saddle rifle and has made for a very rare configuration
for collectors today. The top barrel flat is marked with the standard two-line address and King’s patent marking, and the caliber marking is on the upper left flat. The model marking is on
the upper tang, and the serial number is on the lower tang. The left side of the receiver has been lightly marked “TX1653953” in electropencil. It is fitted with a blade front sight, which
appears period reshaped, and an elevation adjustable No. 24 notch rear sight with the elevator loose. It is mounted with a smooth, rifle-length forearm and nose cap and a straight grip
stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Good, with faint traces of the original blue finish in sheltered areas, the balance mostly a smooth grey patina and some scattered patches of light pitting, typical of a “frontier issued” saddle rifle. The wood is also fine,
showing the similar wear and scars of life on the frontier. Mechanically functions. A rare, special order configuration Model 1873 short rifle that looks like it has some stories to tell!
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 3047
Special Order Colt Model 1877 Thunderer Sheriff’s Model Revolver
with Extremely Rare Documented 1 1/2 Inch Barrel and Factory
Letter - Serial no. 21195, 41 Long Colt cal., 1 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel
finish, hard rubber grips. This is an example of a Colt factory documented
Model 1877 DA revolver with the extremely rare, short 1 1/2 inch barrel.
The included factory letter dated December 1981 confirms this rare
revolver as “1 of 2” revolvers shipped to J. P. Moore & Sons NY in Nov 1878.
In addition, it also has nickel plated finish and a period modified “bobbed”
hammer like the later Colt Fitz specials in the 1920s making it the perfect
hideout gun. The barrel has no other markings other than “COLT” stamped
on the left side. It has the standard three-line, three patent dates on the
left side of the receiver.
CONDITION: Very good with 20% of the original nickel plated finish
remaining on the sides of the cylinder and front grip strap. The remaining
metal surfaces retain a polished gray patina. The grips show extensive
wear on both sides with visible checkering and the Rampant Colt logo.
Mechanically functions. A rare, documented Colt ultra short 1 1/2 inch
barreled Model 1877 DA Thunderer Sheriff’s revolver.
Provenance: The Dr. Marohn Collection; The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 14,000