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LOT 1107
CONDITION: Fine with 60% original blue finish on the barrel, strong original blue in the protected areas of the cylinder and grip frame, 30% of the original case colors, mostly smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, crisp markings, and generally mild overall wear appropriate for a Colorado frontier used six-shooter. The grips are also fine and have crisp raised relief carving, a small repair at the toe on the left, attractive aged tones and grain, and spider webbing age cracks on the butts. Mechanically excellent. This classic western revolver would pair excellently with the Leadville, Colorado, holster rig in the following lot. Estimate: 12,000 - 16,000
Attractive Colorado Associated
Antique Black Powder Colt Single Action
Army Revolver with Double Raised Relief Carved Steer
Head Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no. 146072, 41 Long Colt cal., 5 1/2 inch
round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, antique ivory grips. The factory letter lists this revolver
in .41 caliber with a 5 1/2 inch barrel and blue finish (grips not listed) when shipped to Simmons
Hardware Co. in St. Louis c/o Tompkins Hardware Company as one of a pair on May 26, 1892. There was a
“Tompkins Hardware Co.” in the mining town of “Jimtown,” Colorado, where the business suffered $20,000
in damages from a coal oil fire on June 7, 1892. The San Francisco Examiner reported that in Jimtown, “Gun
play was the rule. A six shooter was a man’s authority and his law.” This appears to be the same business as
‘The Tomkins Hardware Co.” listed as based in Leadville, Colorado, and run by brothers Henry H. and Lewis H.
Tomkins. They had stores in several Colorado mining towns in the 1890s. A revolver shipped to Colorado in
the period is certainly a desirable western artifact, especially with the special raised relief carved grips which
feature a steer head on each side and a stud that covers the screw on the left. The design is fitting given Colorado
remains one of the largest beef producers in the United States and was home to many six-shooter packing cowboys
working on the Colorado range. The revolver features a blade front sight, “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.” on
top of the barrel, “41 COLT” on the left side of the barrel, the two-line patent marking and encircled Rampant Colt trademark on the left side of the frame, the assembly number “84” on the loading gate, matching serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and butt at the toe.
LOT 1108
G.W. Lancaster, Leadville, Colorado Marked, Tooled Holster and Cartridge Belt Rig for a Colt Single Action Army - This incredible 19th century western holster rig
is marked “G.W. LANCASTER/MAKER/LEADVILLE, COLO.” in an oval behind the toe of the double loop holster which has a tooled basket-weave pattern. The holster is
long enough to fit a Colt Single Action Army in “Cavalry” configuration with a 7 1/2
inch barrel. The belt does not have a maker’s mark and is 2 3/4 inches wide and 40 inches long and
made of heavy brown leather. The body has some light chevron patterns. It is marked “36” and “932/44” and has 29
cartridge loops. George Washington Lancaster (1845-1928) of Leadville, Lake County, Colorado, fought in as a corporal in Company B
of the 46th Iowa Infantry during the Civil War and became a pioneer harness and saddle manufacturer in Wyoming and then Colorado in the late 19th century. In the 1879 Leadville City Directory, he was listed at 79 West Chestnut. He later moved to Denver.
CONDITION: Fine with moderate wear from use and age and an amazingly crisp maker’s mark. This would make an excellent companion to a Colorado Colt Single Action Army. Gun leather from Leadville, Colorado, is very rare. According to the consignor, only one other Leadville marked holster is known, and this is the only known from Lancaster’s shop. This rig is certainly worthy of a Colorado museum or advanced private western arms collection.
Estimate: 6,000 - 8,000
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