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His father was then president of the Providence Arms company and a magnificent rifle, bearing the ‘kid’s’ name and that of Fawcett, was given Fawcett by the elder Chafee.”“Hunter Trader Trapper” magazine in June 1918 included the article “Harvey S. Faucett, Celebrated Scout and Indian Fighter” by John B. Carhart which provides a more accurate account of the story, but other accounts were also published about Faucett’s supposed escapades in the West, with varying degrees of honesty. For example, The Kansas City Post on January 2, 1916, claimed he slayed Chief Dull Knife during the Powder River campaign prior to the Battle of Little Bighorn
and that the scalp coat and regalia he owned were the chief’s rather than Riskohonge’s. Dull Knife, also known as Morning Star, was not killed in that battle, and partnered with the Lakota after the Battle of Little Bighorn and also survived the Dull Knife Fight and died in 1883. This article and others also claim Faucett was but a few hours from successfully warning Custer
of his doom at the Little Bighorn. In 1922, a newspaper reported that “Arapahoe Harve, Eagle of the Trail” of Kansas City was the “only man in the world who angered Calamity Jane and did not get shot, or at least shot at...” which claimed he riled her and instead of shooting, she threw sweet potatoes at him out of “respect for Faucett’s ability as a marksman.” The article continues on to tell a bit of his story. In 1930, he was the watchman of the market and died that year after a fall and possibly pneumonia. It
is reported that his body bore five scars from arrows, tomahawks, and knives. His death was reported widely across the country, from LA to New York City. Some obituaries include versions of the Professor Newton story with varying degrees of accuracy. The L.A. Times, for example, claimed Newton was killed in battle and that “’Arapahoe Harve,’ with an arrow in
his shoulder, kept the Indians back with his rifle.” After his death, Faucett’s rifle remained with his family. In letters from John Connors to Greg Lampe accompanying Faucett’s gold presentation badge, Connors indicates Faucett’s badges, documents, guns, and other effects were left to his daughter Edith, and that by 1973 she had given “her son Charles a rifle bearing an engraved presentation to Harve Faucett and a few other items.” Noted collector and dealer Michael Simens indicated he “was contacted by family members who offered his gun, documents and history to me...” He subsequently sold the rifle several years later to collector Greg Lampe.
In addition to the letters discussed above, the extensive document file includes additional letters from the 1870s, 1880s, and 1913-1918 discussing various events in the West and within Faucett’s life. Some are addressed from his time as City Marshall of Leadville, Colorado. More details from Faucett’s career as a lawman can be found in the following lot with his
gold presentation badge from 1884. Various photographs, biographies, newspaper articles, and more are also within the document file along with a framed print of Faucett holding his treasured rifle from his dear friend Zack Chafee.
CONDITION: Fine with distinct inscription and markings, a very attractive frontier used appearance, 30% original blue finish, traces of original case colors, gray and dark brown patina on the balance, mild oxidation, and general moderate wear appropriate for a beloved rifle used for many years in the American West. The wood is also fine and has some minor scratches, dings, and small surface flakes and general mild wear. The safety does not work, but the rifle is otherwise mechanically fine. This rifle is certainly an incredible artifact and is connected to a truly fascinating tale from the American West. It was owned and adored by frontier scout and lawmen Harvey S. Faucett for decades following its presentation in 1877 as he rubbed shoulders with many other notable figures of the West.
Provenance:
The Faucett Family Collection; The Michael Simens Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection.
Estimate: 30,000 - 50,000
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