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LOT 1190
Historic Documented “Texas Jack” Sullivan Individual Shipped Colt First Generation Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army Revolver Presentation Inscribed to State Senator Slater Washburn with Factory Letter - Serial no. 349501, 44 WCF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips. This Colt SAA was presented by marksman “Texas Jack” Sullivan to his friend and State Senator Slater Washburn. The accompanying factory letter confirms the 7 1⁄2 inch barrel in .44-40 caliber, nickel plating and hard rubber stocks. The letter also confirms it was sold and shipped to “Texas Jack” Sullivan (address unavailable) on July 27, 1927. This shipment was for two guns. The barrel features a presentation inscription ahead of the standard Colt factory one-line Hartford address and “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER .44-40” markings. This inscription reads, “Presented to/SLATER WASHBURN/by his friend & pal/’TEXAS JACK’ SULLIVAN.” The back strap is inscribed with the date “1928” and “SLATER WASHBURN.” The butt
is inscribed, “’Texas Jack.’” While these inscriptions are not mentioned in the factory letter, they are certainly done by a professional, if not at the factory. Matching serial numbers on the frame, left side of the trigger guard and back strap, and both grip panels. The matching assembly number is on the loading gate and rear of the frame.
“Texas Jack” Sullivan (1891-1937), not to be confused with famed Western guide and Wild West showman “Texas
Jack” Omohundro, was revered as “world’s fastest revolver shot” in the opening half of the 20th century. Legendary Western lawman Bat Masterson said of “Texas Jack” that
he possessed the “speed with a revolver equaled that of ‘Wild Bill’ Hickok in the heyday of Bill’s career.” He was a part of The “Buffalo Bill Show” in 1906 where he showcased his skills as a marksman and gun handler. He then later participated in the “101 Ranch Show”. In addition to being a showman he was also an early form of firearms instructor,
where he would put his gun handling skills on display demonstrating to people how to protect themselves, specifically what to do if they ever found themselves involved in a “stick up”. Within law enforcement circles throughout the U.S. “Texas Jack” was a renowned “revolver instructor extraordinary and psychologist to the American police.”“Texas Jack” graduated from Notre Dame in 1912 and at an early age learned his marksmanship from his father and marksman “Bronco John” Sullivan and Bat Masterson. He authored several short stories and
was the holder of the world’s long distance
and endurance canoe championship for
paddling an eighteen-foot canoe from New
York City to Tampico, Mexico, in 1913. Slater
Washburn (1896-1941) was both an author
and a politician who was a Massachusetts State Senator in the early 20th century. He wrote “One of the Y.D. (Yankee Division)”, a memoir of his time with the famed division during World War I. The Yankee
Division played a significant role in all major engagements of the American Expeditionary Force. Washburn’s prowess as an author has
led the previously stated book to be labeled
as “culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it”. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 98% original nickel plating on the frame, grip straps and barrel with limited light flaking, some scattered minor handling marks and a light cylinder
drag line on the period replated cylinder. The
grips are also excellent with crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. This exceptional first generation Colt Peacemaker presented by an
early 20th century marksman will make a great addition to any SAA or exhibition firearms collection. Estimate: 7,500 - 15,000
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