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43 inches in overall length.
CONDITION: The belt is fine and has mild overall wear mainly in the form of light crackling and some isolate minor flaking. The maker’s mark remains crisp. The holster is also fine as restored and has a faint maker’s mark. The rig is beautifully color-matched and will be an exceptional addition to any western collection, especially as a companion to an antique Colt Single Action Army with a 7 1/2 inch barrel.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
79
LOT 3097
& Co. were very important distributors of Colts in the 19th century, and Benjamin Kittredge is responsible for nicknaming the .45 caliber Colt Single Action Army as the “Peacemaker” and the .44-40 Colt Single Action Army as the “Frontier Six-Shooter.” He also coined nicknames for other Colt models. Many Kittredge shipped Colts ultimately made their way to the frontier.
CONDITION: Very good plus with enhanced New York engraving, an attractive “frontier used” appearance of mixed gray and brown patina, some bright original finish, minor
New York Engraved
Antique Black Powder
Colt Single Action Army Revolver
with Pearl Grips and Factory Letter - Serial
no. 36149, 45 Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel
finish, pearl grips. This classic Colt Single Action
Army revolver exhibits masterfully executed German-
American engraving patterns in the style of legendary Master
Engraver L.D. Nimschke of New York. The engraving consists
mainly of flowing scrollwork with beaded backgrounds along with wavy line accents,
“Nimschke” stars on the frame at the breech, and a shell design behind the hammer. The barrel
has a blade front sight and the one-line address. The frame has the early three-line patent marking on
the left side, and the left side of the trigger guard is marked “45 CAL.” The loading gate has the assembly number
“2047,” and matching serial numbers are visible on the frame, trigger guard, and butt and the matching partial serial number
on the cylinder and under the ejector housing. The revolver is fitted with a pair of attractive, screw-less pearl grips. The included factory letter lists this revolver as one of 50 in .45 caliber with nickel finish shipped to B. Kittredge & Co. in Cincinnati, Ohio, on April 23, 1877. The barrel length and stocks are not listed but this usually indicates 7 1/2 inch barrels and walnut grips. B. Kittredge
pitting, and general moderate overall wear. The ejector rod housing is a replacement. The grips are fine and have some flakes and chips,
attractive iridescent coloration, and minor handling wear. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 11,000 - 18,000
LOT 3098
Very Desirable F.A. Meanea Cheyenne Marked Double Loop Holster and Cartridge Belt Rig - This is a Cheyenne gun rig by perhaps the best of the West’s master saddlers: Frank A. Meanea. As
noted on the included business card, Meanea was the successor to Gallatin & Co. established in 1867. As with many holster makers, his main business was making horse tack. The business in Cheyenne,
Wyoming was started by his uncle and was taken over by Meanea in 1880. Among his numerous customers were Charles M. Russell and Buffalo Bill Cody. The rig is made from brown heavy skirting
leather. The belt has an elongated oval “F.A. MEANEA/CHEYENNE, WYO” maker’s mark on the 14 inch billet, and the outline of the maker’s mark is visible on the lower loop of the holster. The
holster has some light tooling and features a sewn-in “tear drop” shaped plug at the toe. The holster
will fit a Colt Single Action Army Revolver with up to a 7 1/2 inch barrel, and the belt’s 34 cartridge loops
will accommodate .44 and .45 caliber cartridges. The belt also has “money” pockets. Per the consignor, only a small
percentage of Meanea holsters were 7 1/2s with extreme recurve. The belt is the highly desirable 4 inch wide variety and measures