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LOT 3061
Historic Pair of Documented Colt Second Generation Single Action Army Revolvers Presented to Exhibition Shooter Colonel Larson -A) Colt Single
Action Army Revolver - Serial no. 42987SA, 45 Long Colt cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1966, this is an outstanding pair of Second
Generation Colt Single Action Army revolvers that are documented as having been presented to Marlin factory exhibition shooter and quick draw world record holder Colonel Larson. An
included document signed by Gary Larson, Colonel Larson’s son, lists these two Colts, two Marlin lever actions (the previous lot), and an additional Marlin lever action (first lot on this page) all as
being owned by Larson. On that document, it is stated that these two revolvers were presented to Larson by Colt for setting world records in fast draw. Another document includes information
about Larson, noting that he was a very successful athlete in both high school and college, before being diagnosed with polio when he was 27 years
old. It was during his recovery from the disease that he took up shooting, as well as rope and whip tricks, and once he recovered he began doing small
exhibitions are rodeos and schools. From 1956 to 1960 he began shooting seriously, stating that he was firing 1,000 rounds per day. In 1960, he set six
world records for marksmanship and also started competing in fast draw competitions, and it is noted that he could shoot out five balloons at 15 feet in
one second. In 1961, Marlin Firearms Co. offered Larson sponsorship and he became their factory exhibition shooter, calling himself “the last of the hired
guns”, while Marlin called him their “world rifle champion”. These two revolvers have standard markings and features overall and have had the factory hard rubber grips wrapped with snake
skin, likely as part of the presentation.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 99% plus of the original blue and casehardened finishes and only the slightest handling marks. The grips are fine as snake skin wrapped, likely as part of their
presentation, with some very light flaking of the wrap material. Mechanically excellent. B) Colt Single Action Army Revolver - Serial no. 42989SA, 45 Long Colt cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. See “A”.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 99% plus of the original blue and casehardened finishes with only the slightest handling marks overall. The grips are fine as snake skin wrapped, likely as part of
their presentation, with some very light flaking of the wrap material. Mechanically excellent. A fantastic opportunity to own a pair of Single Action Army revolvers factory presented to a quick
draw world record holder!
Provenance: Colonel Larson; Gary Larson; A Private Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 3060
Historic Documented Pair of Marlin Lever Action
Long Guns Presented to Factory Exhibition Shooter
Colonel Larson with Case -A) Marlin Model 336 R.C. Carbine - Serial no. W6760, 30-30 Win cal., 20 inch round bbl.,
chrome finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1963, this attractive pair of Marlin lever actions are documented as belonging to Colonel Larson, Marlin’s
only official factory exhibition shooter, and they also are
mounted with silver presentation plaques inscribed
to him. An included document signed by Gary Larson,
Colonel Larson’s son, lists these two Marlins, two Colt
revolvers (the next lot on this page), and an additional Marlin lever action (the previous lot on this
page) all as being owned by Larson. On that document, it is stated that each of these particular Marlin lever actions is one of only 500 made with the
nickel finish. Another document includes information about Larson, noting that he was a very successful athlete in both high school and college, before being
diagnosed with polio when he was 27 years old. It was during his recovery from the disease that he took up shooting, as well as rope and whip tricks, and once
he recovered he began doing small exhibitions at rodeos and schools. From 1956 to 1960 he began shooting seriously, stating that he was firing 1,000 rounds per
day. In 1960, he set six world’s records for marksmanship and also started competing in fast draw competitions. In 1961, Marlin Firearms Co. offered Larson sponsorship and
he became their factory exhibition shooter, calling himself “the last of the hired guns”, while Marlin called him their “world rifle champion” and featured him in many of their advertisements through
the 1960s, a couple examples of which are included. Also included is a playing card signed by Colonel Larson that is noted as being split at 40 feet with a Marlin rifle. Both of these lever actions have mostly
standard markings and features, apart from the nickel finishes, and the “B” gun is marked “Marlin No. 430” on the upper tang. In addition, both guns have a silver plaque on the left of the stock marked “Colonel Larson”
with “WORLD RIFLE” and “CHAMPION” above and below his name, and both of the buttplates have been wrapped with snake skin. The “A” gun has an additional plaque taped to the left of the forearm inscribed with the same
text. Also included is a generic leather wrapped hard case that holds both guns.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 97% plus of the original chrome plated finish with some scattered light spotting throughout and some very light handling marks. The wood is excellent with a few scattered light handling marks.
Mechanically excellent. B) Marlin Model 39-A Golden Mountie Rifle - Serial no. T23831, 22 S L LR cal., 20 inch round bbl., chrome finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1960. See “A”.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% plus of the original chrome plated finish with a few very small flakes absent, scattered light handling marks, and some storage grease residue. The wood is very fine with some scattered light
handling marks, crisp checkering, and some flaking of the snakeskin buttplate cover. Mechanically excellent. A rare opportunity to own two Marlin lever actions documented as belonging to the company’s only exhibition shooter!
Provenance: Colonel Larson; Gary Larson; A Private Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 3059
Documented Marlin Model 336 R.C. Lever Action
Saddle Ring Carbine Formerly Owned by Marlin’s
Only Exhibition Shooter, Colonel Larson - Serial
no. AA4254, 30-30 Win cal., 20 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1965, this Marlin Model 336 R.C. is
documented as belonging to Colonel Larson, Marlin’s only official factory exhibition shooter. An included copy of a document signed by Gary Larson,
Colonel Larson’s son, lists two Marlin lever action rifles (following lot), two Colt revolvers (third lot on this page), and an additional Marlin lever action (this one)
all as being owned by Larson. Another document includes information about Larson, noting that he was a very successful athlete in both high school and college,
before being diagnosed with polio when he was 27 years old. It was during his recovery from the disease that he took up shooting, as well as rope and whip tricks, and once
he recovered he began doing small exhibitions at rodeos and schools. From 1956 to 1960 he began shooting seriously, stating that he was firing 1,000 rounds per day. In 1960, he set six world records
for marksmanship and also started competing in fast draw competitions. In 1961, Marlin Firearms Co. offered Larson sponsorship and he became their factory exhibition shooter, calling himself “the last of the
hired guns”, while Marlin called him their “world rifle champion” and featured him in many of their advertisements through the 1960s, some copies of which are included. The carbine generally has standard markings
and features including a brass saddle ring on the left of the receiver and has been fitted with a red bead front sight.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 90% plus of the original blue finish with some light handling marks and edge wear. The wood is very good with a few minor cracks in the wrist, “bull’s-eye” absent from the bottom, and otherwise light
handling marks. Mechanically excellent. A chance to own a Marlin once owned by Marlin’s only exhibition shooter!
Provenance: Colonel Larson; Gary Larson; A Private Collection.
Estimate: 750 - 1,500
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