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.

Rare "The Vigilantes of Montana Territory" Original Broadside

Very scarce and important poster or advertising broadside for the book, “The Vigilantes of Montana Territory” 28" x 20 1/2", framed to 32" x 24 3/8". There is damage at the edges, with an approximately 5" x 2" portion of the bottom left corner missing, but all text is retained. Circa 1866, using 13 wooden and metal typefaces in vivid red and blue ink. Known as the first piece of ephemera to advertise what is quite possibly the first book published in Montana.

The complete broadside reads: “NOW COMPLETED AND FOR SALE! / AN IMPARTIAL AND CORRECT HISTORY OF / THE VIGILANTES / OF / MONTANA TERRITORY! / Comprising a full account of the Chase, Capture, Trial, and Execution of PLUMMER'S / GREAT BAND OF / ROAD AGENTS! / Single Copies, or by the wholesale, can be secured of / D.W. TILTON & CO., / At the City Book Store, Virginia City, and at their Office on / Bridge Street, Helena, Montana. / A Liberal Reduction made on Large Orders! / SEND IN YOUR ORDERS IMMEDIATELY! / AS A LIMITED EDITION HAS BEEN PRINTED. / Price, per Copy, in Dust, - - $2.00 Greenbacks, - - $2.25."

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

Lot 92, Sold $23,600.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 23, 2021. Mesa, AZ.

John X. Beidler's Personal Diary and Signed Photograph

DIARY: A handwritten diary of John X. Beidler, signed on the inside front page, circa 1884. Done in an "American Diary 1884" cloth bound standard book. The book's original handwritten entries are on dated pages with the weather and the location (even for the dates with no story). Writings are notations of events, meetings, financial transactions, etc. This appears to be his log book for actions of law enforcement. Beidler was a Deputy U.S. Marshal, as noted in the beginning of the diary.

The contents includes 24 lead-in information pages (almanac type), 10 pages of misc. info (addresses, time table, etc.) and 190 pages of written logs, starting on January 1, 1884. The final 30 pages are miscellaneous writings. Fabulous content from identified locations: Assiniboine, Ft Benton, Chinook, Deer Lodge, Butte, Helena, etc.

Comes in a custom false-book leather case. 7 1/4" x 3 ¼” x ½”; case is 8 3/4" x 4"x 1 ¼”.

Condition: Worn embossed cloth covers, spine loose. The front few pages were used later, by another person, circa 1895 as a ledger of sorts.

PHOTOGRAPH: Scarce, signed X. Beidler cabinet card. A desirable hand signed copy of a photographic image of X. Beidler. A portrait of "X", full length, seated, holding his Model 1876 Winchester rifle.

Image is 5 3/4" x 4" on a 8" x 6" card. The original signature, J X Beidler, is clear and crisp, the card has some slight damage but not affecting the image. Printed on paper (most likely newspaper print) from an original image. Hang loop attached to the obverse.

Includes notarized letter from Ron Lane / Betsy Lane who discovered the diary in 1962 in Three Forks, Montana.

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

Lot 106, Sold $15,340.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 23, 2021. Mesa, AZ.

The Estate of Thomas W. Lorimer (1941 – 2015)

Lot 221: Plains / Sioux Pipe Bag.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Auction - January 21, 2017
Sold $7,080

Lot 188: Sioux Pictorial Quilled Cradle Cover.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Auction - January 21, 2017
Sold $1,770

Thomas W. Lorimer is most well-known as a contemporary Southwest artist, and particularly an Arizona artist. He lived in Sedona, Arizona for 36 years, and was an active member of the local museums, churches, arts organizations and his community. 

Growing up in the Midwest and having a gift for drawing and painting, Thomas attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago and worked for a few years in commercial art. He eventually went west to California, and enrolled in and graduated from The Art Center College of Design in Los Angles. He was blessed there to have several great instructors who encouraged him to pursue fine art. He began painting from graduation and never looked back. His art can be found in numerous private collections and museums throughout the West.

Like many painters, Lorimer was also a collector. He collected that which he painted: the artifacts of the Old West -- the items that made up the lives of the cowboys and Indians he painted. His collection was extensive, and when examined, clearly shows his love for the Southwest he called home, its residents past and present, and the western way of life.

We are proud to offer items from Thomas Lorimer’s Estate, including his artwork, as well as many Native American and cowboy artifacts. Additional pieces will be offered at our June Fort Worth auction as well. Thomas used to come to the Cody Old West Shows to shop, and was a visitor to Brian’s store in Cody way back in the day. He was always a nice guy, with a good eye, and a kind word. It’s clear in talking to people who knew him that he will be widely missed.

Lot 236: Sioux Painted Hide Model Teepee.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Auction - January 21, 2017
Sold $4,720

Lot 305: Montana Territorial Official Bond Record.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Auction - January 21, 2017
Sold $472

Lot 396: Colt 1878 Double Action Revolver.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Auction - January 21, 2017
Sold $4,425