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Along with the floral scrollwork, there are zig-zag line motifs
featured on the ejector rod housing, front of the frame, and
rear of cylinder. The barrel is marked “45 COLT” on the left side
and has the one-line Colt Hartford address on top. The left side
of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking. The left side
of the trigger guard has the numbers “3” and “1” along with a Colt
factory triangle proof. The factory grips have silver Rampant Colt
medallions. Matching assembly number “567” on the loading gate and
rear of the frame. Matching serial numbers appear on the frame, barrel, trigger guard, and back strap. The rear face of the replacement cylinder is numbered “7311”, with the last four digits of the revolver being 7333. Included with the hard wood fitted period custom case is a box of fifty Remington-UMC .45 Colt cartridges.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 60% original blue finish with a smooth gray patina on the grip straps, high edge wear, and a few scattered patches of pitting. The hammer and frame retain 40% original case colors strongest in the protected areas. The grips are very fine with a chip near the bottom (left panel), minor handling marks, some typical age lines, and attractive color and grain. Case is very fine. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
LOT 3173
Rare R.B. Knox, Rawlins, Wyoming Territory Marked Colt Single Action Army Holster and Money Belt Rig - This desirable western holster and gun belt rig was made by one of the first saddlers in Rawlins, Wyoming Territory, Reuben Knox. Knox had initially worked for the legendary E.L Gallatin in Cheyenne, Wyoming before moving to Rawlins in 1879 and establishing a saddle and harness business. Sadly, Knox appears to have been a more talented saddle maker than business man, and his business passed through multiple different hands beginning in 1882, and operated under various names with him as an employee before he regained it in 1900 and operated until his death in 1904. The holster is lightly tooled with borders on the outside of the body and bears the maker’s mark “R.B.KNOX/RAWLINS.W.T.” It appears to be made to accommodate a Colt Single Action Army Revolver with a 5 1/2 inch barrel. The gun belt bears no maker’s marks but matches the holster in style, having a single row of later replaced cartridge loops that appear to be for .44 or .45 caliber cartridges. There is a money pocket towards the rear of the belt, and it measures 41 inches overall. Also includes a short article about the hanging of the outlaw George Parrot
in 1881 in Rawlins, Wyoming, whose skin was used to make a pair of shoes. The consignor indicates that
the Reuben Knox shop started the well-known heart shaped billets that were continued by the later saddle
makers in Rawlins.
CONDITION: Very good, both items showing moderate wear and some mild age related cracking, replacement
cartridge loops on the belt that match the belt well, a few small tears around the money pocket, and most of the stitching remaining tight. A rare and desirable Wyoming Territory holster rig!
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
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