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interior. The left side “Slim Jim” holster for this revolver matches the right side holster that has historically been displayed with the Crittenden board James attributed Schofield sn. 366. It has a closed toe, floral tooling, and belt loop with four brass rivets. With one being left handed, one being right handed, both holding First Model Schofield revolvers, and both being attributed to Jesse James through different sources, it is clear this revolver and holster is something very special.
This revolver has been featured in multiple publications
and been displayed in renowned museums for many years. This revolver and holster were on display at NRA National Sporting Arms Museum in 2013-2022 and was the NRA Museums’“Gun of the day” on November 12, 2019. It was previously displayed at the National Firearms Museum in 2008-2009 as reported in “American Rifleman” and “True West” magazines. They are featured on page 176 of “Guns of the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum” where it is noted as “Jesse James attributed Smith & Wesson Schofield and Holster.” They were also featured in “Treasures of the NRA National Firearms Museum,”“Illustrated History of Firearms from the NRA Museums,”“Old Guns and Whispering Ghosts” by Jesse L. Hardin, and “Smith & Wesson Sixguns of the Old West” by David R. Chicoine. The revolver is also mentioned in “Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson” by Supica and Nahas as “reported to have been used by a James Gang member, possibly Jesse.” In “Guns West!: A Retrospective
of the Old West,” it is listed as “Smith & Wesson 1st Model Schofield with Holster sn 273, .45 S&W Schofield caliber. This revolver and holster are attributed to the outlaw Jesse James (1847-1882) and match the revolver and holster set kept by Governor Thomas T. Crittenden. The grip frame is stamped ‘A.H. Ryan,’ a known member of the James gang.” Jim Supica stated, “Cartridges & bullets fired through this gun were sold at Friend of NRA auctions as fund-raisers” and also indicated it was featured on Ozarks Watch TV. It was also featured in the articles “Smoking Gun!?! Family Finds Possible Tie To Western Legend: Father, Son Believe They Own One of Jesse James’ Revolvers” by Gene Ballinger in Volume 19, No. 19 of “The Courier” from May 11, 1995, and “Outlaw Jesse James’ Pistol Found?” by John P. Karshner
in the Fall 1996 issue of “The Texas Gun Collector” which discusses much of the included provenance information discussed below.
Provenance:
A letter from Jim Supica, now-former Director of the NRA National Firearms Museum, states: “This particular revolver is tied to Jesse James through three different threads, each leading to the James Gang: 1. The chain of ownership is documented in signed statements and affidavits. These report the gun given or sold, along with Jesse’s gold watch, by Frank and Jesse James in the 1880’s to Milton Shanton (b. 1854), inherited by his brother William Shanton (b. 1862) in 1923, who gave it to his niece Bernice Gilmerr at that time. Mrs. Gilmerr documented the story in writing in 1975 when she sold the gun. Each of the two owners following Mrs. Gilmerr have provided affidavits documenting the gun’s chain of ownership, which accompanied the gun to the current owner. 2. The holster accompanying the gun appears to be the left hand mate to the famous holster and cartridge belt displayed by Jesse James, Jr., on an exhibit board of his father’s firearms (sometimes referred to as
the ‘Crittenden Board’). The floral carved pattern appears
to be the same, and there appears to be a worn area on the cartridge belt where a second holster was carried at one time. The revolver accompanying the holster on the board is a S&W Schofield. It is very possible that a side by side comparison of the two Schofields and holsters would shed further light on the subject. 3. Stamped underneath the wood grips on the grip frame is the name ‘A.H(?). RYAN.’ The age of this marking suggests it was applied during the period of use. ‘Andy Ryan’ was known
to be a member of the James Gang. One must be especially careful in examining historic attribution of any Old West outlaw, especially one as famous as Jesse James. Any one of
the threads listed above might not be fully compelling, but taken together they make an excellent case that this revolver was once used by the James Gang, with a strong likelihood that it was carried by Jesse himself.”
A binder of information is included containing the information noted in Supica’s letter. John P. Karshner of Adelphi, Ohio, stated, “That
I believe that this Schofield
and holster were at one time
owned by the famous outlaw
Jesse James, as discussed in
the following documents- a. Magazine article ‘Outlaw Jesse
James’ Pistol Found?’ Fall 1996
The Texas Gun Collector b.
Newspaper article ‘Smoking
Gun!?! Family Finds Possible Tie
to Western Legend’ in Volume
19, No. 19 of The Courier
newspaper. c. Dana Zeigler
affidavit dated August 26,
1997. d. Handwritten statement signed by Bernice M. Gilmerr,
dated 11-20-75.” He also notes,
“That I believe that the ‘A.H.
RYAN’ marking indicates possible possession at one time by James gang member Andy Ryan, and
know of no other explanation for
this marking,” and, “That to the best
of my knowledge and belief, the chain of ownership of this revolver has been as follows- a. Jesse and Frank James
to their friends John, William & Milton
Shanton in the 1880’s. b. Milton Shanton to
his niece Bernice Gilmerr & her husband Roy
in 1924. c. Bernice Gilmerr to Dana Zeigler
(fellow Mason with Roy Gilmerr) in 1976. d.
Dana Zeigler to me in 1993.” An affidavit from
his son John P. Karshner II is also included stating
the same information, and other correspondence between Supica and the Karshners is included. The younger Karshner notes that he believes this revolver and holster are the left hand matching pistol and holster from Jesse James’s rig and indicated that the prior owner of those items also believed these were likely the mates from that set. He also indicates Jesse James’s watch remained in the Shanton family.
Jesse James
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