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LOT 1104
Documented New Orleans Shipped Colt Sheriff’s
Model Single Action Army Revolver with Factory
Letter - Serial no. 183445, 41 Long Colt cal., 3 1/2 inch
round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber
grips. Manufactured in 1899, this is a representative example of Colt’s ejectorless
“Sheriff’s Model”, with the added desirability of having been shipped to New Orleans,
Louisiana, and it certainly has the look of having seen use there. The “Sheriff’s Model”
Single Action Army Revolver is one of the rarest and most sought after variations of the
Colt’s legendary “Peacemaker”. The included factory letter lists the revolver in .41 caliber
with a 3 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, and grips not listed when shipped to A. Baldwin & Company in New Orleans on 26 April 1899, in a shipment of 6 guns, another of
which was previously sold here at Rock Island Auction Company (August 2024 Premier Firearms Auction, Lot 1142). Based on Keith Cochran’s estimates presented in “Colt
Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Volume 1,” only 32 out of the total “Sheriff’s Model” production run were chambered in .41 caliber. A compact revolver such as this would have been
a welcome companion in a coat pocket on the bustling port-city streets of New Orleans around the turn of the century, particularly in the areas of Storyville or Gallatin Street,
which were known for their debauchery and violent crime. This example has the standard markings, including matching serial numbers on the bottom of the frame, trigger
guard, and back strap. It is fitted with the standard blade front and frame-top groove rear sights, as well as a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the tops.
CONDITION: Good, showing mostly a grey patina overall, evidence
of mild buffing on some of the major components, and some
scattered light pitting, all evidence of having spent time as a
trusted coat gun. The worn grips are fair with some light handling
marks and visible checkering. Mechanically excellent. A rare .41
caliber Sheriff’s Model Single Action Army that found its way to New Orleans!
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 1106
Documented Shafter, Texas,
Shipped Colt Bisley Model
Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 182950, 45
Long Colt cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips.
The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver as shipped in a 3 gun shipment
on January 28, 1899, to E.G. Gleim Company in Shafter, Texas, in .45 caliber, with
a 4 3/4 inch barrel, blue finish, and hard rubber grips. Edgar G. Gleim (1847-1921) was
born in Hannibal, Missouri, and later moved to Texas in 1873, eventually landing in Shafter,
where he engaged in his mercantile business until his death in 1921. This Bisley Model has
the proper look and feel of a Texas shipped sidearm, possibly used by a rancher or frontier
traveler. The Colt Bisley model was designed by Colt with accuracy and target shooting in mind,
only manufactured between 1894-1915, per “The Book of Colt Firearms” (1971 publication) by
Sutherland and Wilson. The barrel has the two-line Hartford address on top and “(BISLEY MODEL) 45
COLT” on the left side. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent date markings followed by
an encircled Rampant Colt. Wide, low hammer spur with wide trigger and characteristic “humpback”
grip. Matching visible serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, with assembly
number “481” on the loading gate. The name “MW AIKEN” period hand carved on the interior of the
left grip panel, and “L E Groff” period inscribed in fancy script on the butt of the back strap. No further
information has been located in relation to these individuals.
CONDITION: Very good as a Texas shipped sidearm, retains 20% original blue finish, vivid patterns of case colors on the front sides of the frame,
with characteristic frontier freckling, gray and brown patina, light pitting, and defined markings in the metal. Grips are also very good, with tight
fitment, light handling marks, defined checkering and logos, and period carved notches along the defined bottom edges. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 1105
Documented San Antonio, Texas, Shipped Colt First Generation Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 334516,
44-40 WCF cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver as shipped in a 5 gun shipment on
December 6, 1916, to Praeger Hardware Company in San Antonio, Texas, in .44-40 caliber, with a 4 3/4 inch barrel, blue finish, and type of grips not listed. Few firearms are more
deeply associated with the American West than the Colt Single Action Army and perhaps no other state personifies the image of the Wild West more the Texas. The Colt Single
Action Army in .44-40 was named the “Frontier Six Shooter” after J.P. Moore’s Sons ordered some in 1878, and they were particularly desirable in the West because they could
use the same ammunition as the popular Winchester Model 1873 rifles and carbines. Since then the .44-40 WCF Frontier Six Shooter has found a special place in the hearts of
Peacemaker collectors. The top of the barrel is marked with the two-line Hartford address, with “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER .44-40” on the left side. The left of the frame has the
two-line patent date markings followed by a Rampant Colt. Matching visible full serial numbers marked on the frame, trigger guard, and backstrap, with matching “516” on the
rear of the cylinder. Matching assembly number “465” on the loading gate and back of frame.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% original blue finish and vivid case colors, with brown patina on the grip straps, minor oxidation, cylinder drag lines, and sharp markings.
Grips are excellent, with tight fitment, minor handling marks, and crisp checkering and designs. Mechanically excellent. An
attractive Texas shipped early 20th century Colt Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army revolver!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 1107
Attractive United States Deputy
Marshal Badge - Manufactured c. the
early 20th century, this is an attractive
example of one of the smaller sized
U.S. Deputy Marshal’s badges. While
standardization of the U.S. Marshal
badges didn’t occur until 1941, many
examples attributed to the 1910s and
1920s seem to show a similar overall
design to this one featuring the
eagle at the top and general “shield”
shape. This example is two-tone,
made of primarily nickel silver with a
brass center. The pin on the back is a
brazed on later replacement.
CONDITION: Fine, the nickel silver
remaining mostly bright, attractively
aged brass, and a few patches of
light oxidation/verdigris. An attractive
vintage law enforcement badge!
Provenance: The Brig & Louise
Pemberton Collection.
Estimate: 1,200 - 1,800
Collector’s Fact
According to "Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia,
Volume I" by Cochran, approximately 32 Colt Sheriff's
Model Single Action Army revolvers were produced
in .41 Long Colt.