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LOT 3086
Sheffield Bowie Knife with Desirable “Old Zach” Themed Decoration and Sheath - Measuring 12 1/4 inches
overall, with a 7 1/2 inch clip point blade, which shows a faint Sheffield maker’s mark on the left ricasso, full tang,
German silver guard, and stag grip panels with a blank inscription plate on the left side. Both grip
panels are flanked with German silver panels, the upper panel decorated with repoussed
scrollwork, the latter bearing a bust of Zachary Taylor over the text “OLD ZACH/I ASK NO
FAVORS AND SHUN NO RESPONSIBILITIES”. Later the 12th President of the United States of
America, Taylor earned international fame for his role in the Mexican-American War, most famously his
leadership at the Battle of Palo Alto and the Battle of Buena Vista, which in turn led to the monetization of “Old
Zach” by the cutlers of Sheffield. Included with the lot is a red leather sheath with gilt embellishment and German
silver throat and tip.
CONDITION: Very good. The blade has been lightly cleaned, with polishing
marks on and around the ricasso, with a deep brown patina to the tang. The
hilt is good, with some dents, scuffs and exposed pewter on the German silver
panels and minor scuffs on the stag. Sheath is very good, with an absent frog stud
and mild scuffing.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3085
Desirable “Frontier Issued” Colt Model 1871-1872 Open Top Single Action Revolver
with Ivory Grip and Tooled “Slim Jim” Holster - Serial no. 1253, 44 RF cal., 7 1/2 inch
round bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. Manufactured in limited quantities circa 1872-1873. Colt’s
Model 1871-1872 Open Top revolver was a direct predecessor of the hugely successful Colt Single Action
Army Revolver, and these were some of the first purpose-built cartridge revolvers made by Colt that
were available in the West. A large number of these revolvers made their way westward, representing a
technological leap as the sun set on the percussion era. These revolvers would have been highly valued
by just about anyone in the American West who could afford one, offering far quicker reloading and more
reliable ignition than percussion revolvers. Though it is Colt’s Single Action Army that is often viewed as
the quintessential sidearm of the “Wild West”, these Open Tops played a prominent role in the taming of the
frontier and remain a legendary firearm of the American West, as far as collectors are concerned. This particular
example certainly shows all the traits one would expect to see on a revolver that made its way west and it is easy to imagine
this revolver and holster on the hip of a frontier lawman, outlaw, or gunslinger. The top of the barrel is marked with the
standard one line address, while the Colt’s patent marking is on the left of the frame. The matching serial number is
on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, and trigger guard, and the cylinder is marked with the matching last three
digits. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight, the Richards-Mason style integral notch rear sight at the
breech, and an attractive antique ivory grip. Includes a tooled leather “Slim Jim” California pattern holster, a style that
was popular on the frontier during the period that this revolver would have been in use.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% of the period retailer applied nickel finish with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina and some scattered light pitting, typical of a survivor of the harsh American
West. The brass shows an attractively aged patina with traces of original silver. The weathered grip is very good, showing hairline age cracks, an attractively aged tone, and the wear of the frontier. Mechanically
excellent. The holster is good showing similar “frontier issued” wear with some age related cracking. A desirable Colt Model 1871-1872 Open top that has the look of being a frontier survivor!
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 3084
Desirable “Frontier Issued” Sharps Model 1874 Single Shot “Buffalo” Rifle in .45-70 Government - Serial no. C,42996, 45-70
Government cal., 30 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured c. 1876 to 1881, this Sharps Model 1874 sporting rifle
has the look of having been tested by the unforgiving dangers and harsh environment of the American frontier while having survived to tell the tale.
While often under-represented among discussions of “frontier arms”, the Model 1874’s role in the taming of the frontier was no less profound than that of
guns such as Winchester’s Model 1873, which has since been given credit for “winning the West”. In many ways, these Sharps rifles can be seen as the dependable
workhorses of the West, without the fancy repeating mechanisms of the Winchesters or quick-draw bravado of the Colts, these Sharps rifles are often left out of the legends and tall tales
of the frontier. The truth is, these rifles were there, and they unwaveringly faced the challenges of the untamed American West just like those who carried them. This particular rifle, in its standard
configuration and chambered in .45-70 Government, would have been highly prized by the average man heading westward, being affordable and without frills, and also chambered in a cartridge with nearly
unmatched long range stopping power for the time, that was also incredibly prevalent on the frontier due to its use by U.S. forces. Sharps rifles in this caliber were commonly used for hunting bison and other game,
as well as self defense. The top barrel flat is marked with the boxed “Old Reliable” mark followed by the one-line Bridgeport address, while the caliber marking of “45 2 1/10” is on the left flat at the breech. The two-line Sharps
patent marking is on the left of the action and on the lockplate. The serial number is marked on the upper tang and on the bottom of the barrel. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and an elevation adjustable notch
rear sight which was added later in the period, with the original sight base left in the original dovetail. It is also fitted with a set of double set triggers. It is mounted with a smooth forearm, that appears to have not been fitted with
an end cap, and a straight grip stock with a smooth steel rifle buttplate.
CONDITION: Good as a “frontier issued” survivor, retaining traces of the original blue finish in sheltered areas, the balance a mix of grey and brown patina, silvered case colors, and some scattered patches of surface pitting/freckling,
all typical of a working rifle of the American West. The weathered and worn wood shows signs of decades of use on the frontier with its tales represented in cracks, chips, and scars throughout. Mechanically excellent. A Sharps
Model 1874 “buffalo” rifle that truly embodies the hardships of the American West!
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
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