Movie-used Winchester carbine, with John Wayne’s special enlarged signature lever loop and shortened barrel, which enabled him to “flip” the carbine one-handed so he could load it while on horseback. A signature Duke move. Universal Studios requested that Stembridge gather the same guns Wayne used in “True Grit” (1969) when filming the sequel “Rooster Cogburn” (1975).
S/N S1015 (Stembridge Gun Rentals), .44-40 caliber, Winchester 1892 carbine. Shortened barrel, blue finish, walnut stock and forearm, updated barrel sight, large lever loop. Stembridge “S” on receiver and forearm. Condition: bore is not a factor, clean deep blue on receiver and barrel, touches of blue on lever, mechanically very good.
Includes copies of 2 Stembridge Gun Rentals invoices from “Rooster Cogburn”. Also includes a signed statement from Christopher Hearn regarding history, and a card from the old “Hollywood Gun Rentals” display.
Lot 317, Sold $88,500.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 23, 2021. Mesa, AZ.