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LOT 1124
Scarce Well-Documented Denver, Colorado, Shipped Antique Colt Sheriff’s Model 1878 Double
Action Revolver with Factory Letter, Featured in Don Wilkerson’s Book “Colt’s Double-Action
Revolver, Model of 1878” - Serial no. 27553, 45 Long Colt cal., 3 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard
rubber grips. The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver as one of six in this configuration in a
shipment on April 5, 1891, to H.M. Bostwick in Denver, Colorado, in .45 caliber, with a 3 1/2 inch barrel,
blue finish, and type of grips not listed. H.M. Bostwick is listed in period newspaper advertisements as an
active Denver retailer of guns, ammunition, and fishing supplies at 1225 16th Street. Only 560 ejectorless
Sheriff’s Model 1878 revolvers were reportedly shipped in .45 Long Colt caliber, with 47 of those listed as
shipped in this specific configuration with a 3 1/2 inch barrel length and blue finish, according to figures
on page 216 of Don Wilkerson’s book “Colt’s Double-Action Revolver, Model of 1878”. This exact revolver is
featured on page 218 of Don Wilkerson’s book, noted as being a part of the Harrison Carroll collection at the
time of publication. Whether on the hip of a lawman or under the counter of a storekeeper’s
shop, these Sheriff’s Models were at the forefront of taming the wilds in growing cities or
the western frontier, as well as all manner of ruffians and outlaws. The top of the barrel is
marked with the two-line Hartford address, with “45 COLT” on the left of the barrel. Full serial
number marked on the butt, with unnumbered cylinder and loading gate. It is fitted with a
blade front sight, groove top strap rear sight, and a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with
Rampant Colts at the tops.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% bright original blue finish with some holster type wear,
spotting, light handling marks, and crisp markings. Grips are excellent, with a brown
appearance, a few minor blemishes, and crisp checkering. Mechanically functions.
Provenance: The Harrison Carroll Collection; The Walt Hallstein Collection;
The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 5,500 - 7,500
LOT 1125
Nickel Plated Antique Colt
Single Action Army Revolver
in Scarce .38 Long Colt with
Factory Letter - Serial no.
139336, 38 Long Colt cal., 4 3/4 inch
round bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips. The
accompanying factory letter lists this revolver as
shipped in a 1 gun shipment on August 14, 1891,
to France & Thiele at an unlisted address, in .38
caliber, with a 4 3/4 inch round barrel, nickel finish,
and type of grips not listed. August Thiele
and Jacob France owned the first bicycle
store in San Antonio, Texas, located at 302
West Commerce Street, and sold high
wheelers and a variety of sporting goods
including guns and ammunition around
the time of this revolvers shipment. This
Single Action Army has the desired look
one would want to see in a well cared for
sidearm that likely traveled out west, and is one of only 36 of its kind, as a
.38 Long Colt chambered, 4 3/4 inch barreled, nickel finished standard Single Action Army revolver in the 1-164100
serial range, out of a total of 331 in this serial range listed in this caliber, per information on page 357 of “The Official
Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver 1873-1895” by the Wilkersons and Hoyt. From its introduction in 1886
to 1914 when the .38 Long Colt was first discontinued, only 1,011 standard frame Single Action Army revolvers were
chambered in it, according to page 170 of “The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army” by Brown. The caliber was
reintroduced in 1922, but again failed to gain much traction, and by the time it was discontinued again in 1940, only
another 1,365 revolvers had been chambered in it. The barrel has the two-line Hartford address on top. The left side
of the frame has the two-line patent date markings and a circled Rampant Colt. Matching visible full serial numbers
on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, with unnumbered cylinder, and assembly number “887” on the loading
gate. The revolver wears a set of checkered hard rubber grips with the Rampant Colts at the tops. The serial number
of this revolver is listed on page 234 of “Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Volume II” by Keith Cochran, where it’s
configuration and shipment information is confirmed.
CONDITION: Fine with plenty of frontier character, retains 60% original nickel finish with charming brown freckling
and smooth gray patina on the balance, with some light pitting, and distinct markings in the metal. Grips are very
good, with characteristic even wear, a few nicks, and nice fitment. Mechanically functions. A desirable documented
nickel plated Single Action Army in scarce .38 Long Colt!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1126
Rare A.J. Davidson, Helena,
Montana Territory, Maker
Marked “Mexican Loop”
Holster with Matching A.J.
Davidson Cartridge/Money
Belt for a Colt Single Action
Army Revolver - Manufactured
c. 1880s-1890s, this is a rare
example of an A.J. Davidson marked
holster rig from Helena, Montana. The
oval maker marking “MANUFACTURED/BY/A. J.
DAVIDSON/HELENA M.T.” is on both the holster
and the cartridge/money belt. Helena, Montana, maker marked holsters
are very desirable today, as they are very scarce to encounter. This “Mexican
loop” holster is configured for a right handed shooter and will accommodate
a Single Action Army revolver with a 4 3/4 inch barrel. It has a lightly tooled
border, and a thick single retention loop. It is paired with a cartridge/money
belt with two rows of .44/.45 caliber sized cartridge loops and a nickeled, rectangular buckle with clipped
corners. The belt measures 3 1/2 inches wide and approximately 44 inches in overall length. Includes some A.J.
Davidson addressed invoices with dates between 1881 and 1896.
CONDITION: Both are very good, with honest frontier related wear and cracking, a small repair at the lower
area of the holster, the belt has some fraying and sewn through billets, and proper character one would want
to see in a holster and belt set such as this. This rare A.J. Davidson, Helena, Montana Territory, “Mexican Loop”
holster and matching cartridge/money belt would make an awesome accessory to accompany a 4 3/4 inch
barreled Single Action Army!
Provenance: The Bill Welch Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
As pictured & described
in Colt's Double-Action
Revolver Model of 1878
by Wilkerson