Important Colt Model 1860 Army with Vigilante History

.44 caliber, 8 inch barrel, Colt Model 1860 from the Lott family. Blue and case color finish, martially marked, 1-piece walnut grips, Slim Jim holster and belt, all matching numbers, circa 1862. Condition: excellent bore, barrel and cylinder smooth plum blue, 80% cylinder scene, 50% dark case color on frame and hammer, smooth mustard colored trigger guard, excellent grips with “J A G” carved in right grip, mechanically excellent, excellent marks. Holster is excellent period design, is sound and usable. Period belt with round buckle.

Alleged to have been taken from road agent Jack Gallagher. Dimsdale’s “Vigilantes of Montana” recounts that a pistol and shotgun were taken from Gallagher when he was captured. Jack Gallagher was hanged in 1864 by the Vigilantes in Virginia City, MT.

Includes signed letter from Junior Lott (great grandson of Mortimer Lott and great nephew of John Lott) detailing the revolver’s history in his family.

Provenance: From the Montana History Collection of Jerry "Buzz" Nyhart.

Lot 99, Sold $44,250.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 23, 2021. Mesa, AZ.

Marlon Brando’s Revolvers from "One Eyed Jacks"

Lot of two revolvers used by Marlon Brando in the film “One Eyed Jacks” (1961, Paramount Studios). Directed by Brando (who replaced Kubrick), the movie took almost 2 years to complete, went way over budget, and originally ran over 5 hours.

a) *S/N 164474, .45 caliber, 4 ¾ inch barrel Colt 1873 Single Action Army. Blue and case color finish, 1-piece walnut grips, back strap and trigger guard #216731, frame marked with Stembridge “S”. Condition: bore not a factor, refinished, later grips slightly undersized, excellent mechanically, good marks. Includes Stembridge Gun Rentals invoice dated February 29, 1960.

This Colt revolver was used in the film’s final shoot-out, as well as various scenes where it is visible in Brando’s waistband.

b) *S/N 315990, .45 caliber, 5 inch barrel, Colt New Service revolver. Blue finish, 2-piece hard rubber grips, faux ejector housing attached to barrel to simulate a Colt Single Action Army. Marked “303” on butt, lanyard ring removed. Condition: bore not a factor in the value of this revolver, 30% original finish, very good grips.

Brando used this Colt to fire three very quick rounds (which could not be done as quickly with a standard single action revolver) into the saloon bully who pulled a sawed-off shotgun from behind the bar after Brando beat him for mistreating a saloon lady.

Exhibited: National Firearms Museum exhibit “Hollywood Guns,” in the William B. Ruger Gallery of the National Firearms Museum 2010-2011.

* $100 FFL fee will be added to this purchase. All sales of firearms will be in accordance with Federal and State guidelines. All post-1898 firearms are subject to applicable ordinances and laws, and must be purchased in compliance with Federal and State law.

Lot 307, Sold $26,550.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 23, 2021. Mesa, AZ.

Colt Single Action Army Engraved by David Wade Harris

Colt Single Action Army Engraved by David Wade Harris
*S/N 321169, .44WCF, 4 ¾ inch barrel, Colt Single Action, with ivory steer head grips, manufactured 1912. Full coverage in his “Cattlebrand” style, with gold finish. Marked on butt “DW Harris”. An excellent example of Mr. Harris’ work.

David Wade Harris is a resident of Tyler, Texas. He learned the engraving trade from Weldon Bledsoe who worked with Cole Agee. Mr. Agee was the “father” of the cattle brand engraving pattern.

Includes signed letter from David Wade Harris authenticating the work to be his own.

Lot 200, Brian Lebel's Cody Old West Auction - June 22, 2019. Santa Fe, NM.
Sold $4,130.

Colt Single Action Engraved by David Wade Harris

Colt Single Action Engraved by David Wade Harris

*S/N 216396, .45 caliber, 7 ½” barrel, 1st generation Colt Single Action. Gold washed and stunningly engraved by David Wade Harris with Native American symbolism, including thunderbirds, clouds, lodges, Zias, animals, arrows and much more. Engraved, “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.” on underside of barrel; signed “DW HARRIS” with a flourish on the butt. Tight scrolling, all matching numbers. Carved ivory grips with Indian chief head on one side. Circa 1901. Condition: bore id very good, 99% gold finish, mechanically excellent, excellent marks and engraving.

David Wade Harris, Tyler, Texas, has been plying his trade for almost 30 years. He learned the trade from Weldon Bledsoe who worked with Cole Agee. Best known for his cattle brand motifs on firearms.

Lot 511, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 25th & 26th, 2019. Mesa, AZ.
Sold $12,980.

Rare Pair of Colt Single Actions

Rare Pair of Colt Single Action Army Revolvers: *S/N 336571* and *S/N 336562. Both are .32-20 caliber, with 4 ¾ inch barrels, in nickel finish, with Colt medallion pearl grips.
a) *S/N 336571 - Carved Pearl Steer Head grips, shipped Sept. 20, 1917 to G. Tritch & Co. Denver, Colorado. 
b) *S/N 336562 - Carved Deer Head Pearl grips, shipped Jan. 31, 1918 to Fruitland Trading / George Tritch Hardware Company, Denver, Colorado. 
Condition: excellent bores, 95% + nickel overall, bolt stop drag line on cylinders, miscellaneous use scratches, excellent mechanically, excellent marks.
Includes Colt Factory Letters.
S/N 336571 Pictured: “A Study of the Colt Single Action Revolver” by Graham, Kopec & Moore, page 165.
Collection of Jim and Jane Carpenter, Colorado.
* $100 FFL fee will be added to this purchase. All sales of firearms will be in accordance with Federal and State guidelines. All post-1898 firearms are subject to applicable ordinances and laws, and must be purchased in compliance with Federal and State law.

Lot 200, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - June 23rd, 2018, Santa Fe, NM.
Sold $18,880

"Gunsmoke" Colt Single Action

Colt Single Action used by James Arness in the award winning television series, “Gunsmoke”. What TV Colt revolver could be more iconic than Marshal Matt Dillon's? We can't think of one, and this one was well-used by Arness.

Frame is *S/N 317234, .45 Long Colt caliber, 7 1/2 inch barrel. It would have been originally blued and case color finish. Ultra stag 2-piece grips. Condition: good bore, scattered light oxidation, complete refinish, mechanically very good, grips are excellent. As with a lot of the Stembridge guns the numbers do not match. The backstrap and trigger guard are #184405.

Lot 250, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $24,780