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Premier Firearms Auction #4091

May 17, 2024 to May 19, 2024

This auction has ended.

Premier Firearms Auction #4091

May 17, 2024 to May 19, 2024

This auction has ended.

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Showing 1-12 of 12 results

Historic Factory Engraved and Gold Inlaid Winchester Model 21 Bicentennial Double Barrel Shotgun Two Barrel Set with Factory Letter Presented to 38th President of the United States Gerald R. Ford Jr.

Lot 535

Winchester Model 21 Bicentennial Shotgun Given to President Ford

The Winchester Model 21 is one of the finest guns ever built on American shores garnering a massive following of dedicated shooters who swear by the design. This particular Model 21 is not only exceedingly beautiful in its appearance and function, it is steeped in history with an incredible pedigree as it was built for none other than the 38th President of the United States Gerald R. Ford Jr. Ford served as president from August, 1974 to January, 1977, a quite tumultuous time for the country in the wake of Vice President Spiro Agnew's resignation due to conviction for tax evasion and President Richard Nixon's resignation following the Watergate scandal. Ford was quickly propelled from House Minority Leader to Vice President and after only eight months, to President of the United States, having never even had the chance to move into the Vice President's residence. Ford is the only President to have never been elected to the office or the office of Vice President and also remains the only President from the great state of Michigan. The gun itself was built with blued Winchester Proof Steel chopperlump barrels featuring a white bead front and steel mid bed sight on the matted flat vent rib which is engraved "CUSTOM BUILT BY WINCHESTER CELEBRATING" ahead of "U. S. BICENTENNIAL" inlaid in gold and standard Winchester factory markings on the left tube. The barrels both show a single band at either breech expanding into a wedge of floral scroll work extending 2 1/2 inches towards the muzzles. The gun is marked for 3 inch chambers with automatic ejectors and the chokes are marked "MOD"/"FULL" just ahead of the jewelled flats. The barrels are fitted to a richly blued action which displays deep oak leaf engraving on the fences, jewelled watertable and standing breech, tasteful sprays of floral scroll engraving, and five highly detailed gold inlays. The gold inlays consist of four vignettes showing a mallard in flight and a pointer on the left side of the action, a pointer and a quail in flight on the right, and the Great Seal of the United States on the underside with "1776-1976" and "BICENTENNIAL" above and below respectively. The gun features a single selective gold trigger and a tang mounted automatic safety. The gun is mounted with a gorgeously figured and fancy fleur-de-lis checkered beavertail forend with engraved fittings and an ebony tip inlay along with a pistol grip stock featuring an engraved blued grip cap, a leather wrapped recoil pad, and the all important gold inscription oval which is marked "PRESENTED/TO/PRESIDENT/Gerald R. Ford/July 4./1976". Included is a second matching numbered and engraved set of 26 inch barrels with 2 3/4 inch chambers and chokes marked "IMP. CYL."/"MOD" along with its own stunning beavertail forend. Also included is a fine wood and leather takedown case with canvas cover and lid marked "PRESIDENT/GERALD R. FORD/UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" which houses the gun and both barrel sets. The factory letter, which is included with the gun, confirms that the gun and extra barrel set left the factory in the current configuration including the engraving, gold work, and letterering in the above described case when inspection was completed on May 24, 1976. Barrel measurements for the extra set (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .735/.730 inches; choke constriction .009/.013 inches; minimum wall thickness .031/.035 inches. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .730/.730 inches; choke constriction .013/.038 inches; minimum wall thickness .034/.033 inches; 1 5/8 inch drop at comb; 2 5/8 inch drop at heel; 14 9/16 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs. 12 oz.

Documentation

Has Box

Modern

Caliber / Gauge: 12

Price Realized:

Historic Factory Master Game Scene Engraved and Signed Pair of Browning Model 1885 Bicentennial Single Shot Rifles Presented to President Gerald R. Ford Jr. with Case -A) Gold Inlaid Browning 1885 Rifle

Lot Contains 2 Items

Lot 536

Two Browning Model 1885 Bicentennial Rifles for President Ford

Originally designed by John Moses Browning, the Model 1885 is among the most quintessential American firearms, playing a role in the taming of the American West in the late 1800s. This pair of rifles shows gorgeous America themed engraving and beautiful craftsmanship putting them on a different level than most. The pair is made even more extraordinary by its lineage, as it was presented to the 38th President of the United States Gerald R. Ford Jr. for the U.S. bicentennial in 1976. Ford served as president from August 1974 to January 1977, quite a tumultuous time for the country in the wake of Vice President Spiro Agnew's resignation due to conviction for tax evasion and President Richard Nixon's resignation following the Watergate scandal. Ford was quickly propelled from House Minority Leader to Vice President and after only eight months, to President of the United States, having never even had the chance to more into the Vice President's residence. Ford is the only President to have never been elected to the office or the office of Vice President and also remains the only President from the great state of Michigan. Both rifles were built with blued steel octagonal barrels featuring a blade front sight and an elevation adjustable rear sight. The barrel of gun "A" bares standard factory markings along with a gold inlaid scroll flourish at the base and gold inlaid "PROPERTY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" while the "B" gun has standard markings along with wedges of scroll engraving at the breech and muzzle. The barrels of both rifles are fitted to highly attractive coin finished actions, both of which show highly attractive floral scroll engraving surrounding circular game scenes on either side. Rifle "A" depicts a magnificent bald eagle on the left side and a proud American Bison on the right both inlaid in highly detailed semi-relief gold with gold inlaid line borders, while rifle "B" shows the same engraving to match cut directly into the action with no gold inlay work. Rifle "A" is signed by two of Browning's engravers on the left side of the action with "VRACKEN" signed beneath the game scene for Master Engraver Louis Vracken and "J. BAERTEN" in the scroll for Master Engraver Jose Baerten. The "B" rifle is signed on the right side of the action "R. BEE" for factory Master Engraver Rosa Bee. Both of the rifles are mounted with exceptionally well-figured and multi-point checkered forends with blued fittings and straight grip stocks with blued steel crescent buttplates. Included is a full length leather bound case that houses both rifles and a pair of numbered coins with a brass plaque marked "PRESENTED/TO/PRESIDENT/GERALD R. FORD/BY THE/REPUBLICAN/NAT'L COMMITTEE" on the lid along with the canvas cover which is marked "PRESIDENT/GERALD R. FORD/UNITED STATES OF AMERICA".

Has Box

Modern

Caliber / Gauge: 45-70 Government

Historic Factory Master James B. Meek Signed and Game Scene Engraved Pair of Ruger No. 1 Bicentennial Single Shot Rifles Presented to President Gerald R. Ford Jr. with Case -A) Ruger No. 1 Rifle

Lot Contains 2 Items

Lot 537

Two Ruger No 1 Bicentennial Rifles Presented to President Ford

Designed by Bill Ruger based on the Farquharson type action, the Ruger No. 1 quickly became synonymous with accuracy and was a favorite amongst American hunters and target shooters alike. This set of gorgeous Ruger No. 1 rifles is made even more special than the incredible works of art that they are, as they were presented to the 38th President of the United States Gerald R. Ford Jr. for the U.S. bicentennial in 1976 by the Republican National Convention. Ford served as president from August 1974 to January 1977, quite a tumultuous time for the country in the wake of Vice President Spiro Agnew's resignation due to conviction for tax evasion and President Richard Nixon's resignation following the Watergate scandal. Ford was quickly propelled from House Minority Leader to Vice President and after only eight months, to President of the United States, having never even had the chance to move into the Vice President's residence. Ford is the only President to have never been elected to the office or the office of Vice President and also remains the only President from the great state of Michigan. The rifles were both built with blued steel barrels and feature fine scroll engraving at the breech and muzzle along with standard factory markings including "MADE IN THE 200TH YEAR OF AMERICAN LIBERTY" on the left hand side. Rifle "A" is fitted with a ramped beaded blade front sight and a rear quarter rib holding the rear sight and rifle "B" bares no provisions for open sights, but is mounted with a set of scope bases. Both rifles have blued actions displaying extensive floral scroll engraving surrounding gold inlaid semi-relief animals and gold inlaid lettering. Both rifles feature a beautifully cut gold eagle on the right side of the action and "1776/1976" in gold on the underside along with the serial number. The left side of rifle "A" displays a running elk while the "B" rifle shows a howling wolf. Both rifles are signed on the triggerplate to the left of the trigger "ENG. BY J. B. MEEK" for American Master Engraver James B. Meek, a highly renowned engraver and author of the highly respected book "The Art of Engraving". The rifles both feature outstanding, highly figured and multi-point checkered forends ("A" lightly figured) and pistol grip stocks with blued steel grip caps and a red rubber recoil pad. Included is a full length leather bound case with "PRESENTED/TO/PRESIDENT/GERALD R. FORD/BY THE/REPUBLICAN/NAT'L COMMITTEE" marked on the lid and a canvas over cover which is marked "PRESIDENT/GERALD R. FORD/UNITED STATES OF AMERICA".

Has Box

Modern

Caliber / Gauge: 30-06 Springfield, 22-250

Price Realized:

Very Large Framed Collection of Watergate Scandal Signatures and Photographs

Lot 1360

Framed Collection of Watergate Scandal Signatures and Photos

Often cited as the greatest political scandal of the 20th century, the "Watergate Scandal", as it came to be known, embroiled U.S. politics and the Richard Nixon administration and captured the attention of the American public from 1972 to 1974. The scandal initially involved a multitude of clandestine activities including burglaries, break-ins, and wiretapping at the Democratic National Committee Headquarters in the Watergate complex in Washington D.C. Media coverage of the events quickly grew into a firestorm, with the Nixon administration desperately trying to cover up their knowledge, funding, and instigating of the events. Through 1973 and early 1974, the true depth of the scandal, exposing a wide array of subterfuge, intrigue, and clandestine activity aimed at Nixon's political opponents and those they were merely suspicious of. The administration's efforts to cover their tracks only led to further leaks to the media and the eventual exposure of recorded conversations from the Oval Office and other areas of the Whitehouse, confirming Nixon's personal knowledge and involvement beyond doubt. The release of the audio recordings of these conversations led to his impeachment and conviction by the House and Senate being a certainty. On 9 August 1974, Richard Nixon became the only U.S. president to ever resign the office. Just a month later, Nixon was officially pardoned by his successor, Gerald R. Ford. All told, 69 individuals were indicted regarding the scandal, with 48 convicted. This large framed display includes a plethora of photographs and signatures of the major figures involved in the scandal, as well as a brass plaque at the bottom center listing each of them along with their involvement in the events. The photos and signatures include; Richard Nixon, Robert Dole, G. Gordon Liddy, John Dean, Charles Colson, Archibald Cox, Pat Buchanan, Clarence Kelley, Sam Ervin Jr., John Sirica, Robert Strauss, John Ehrlichman, Henry Haldeman, and Samuel Dash. The signatures are mostly on various pieces of mail including envelopes and postcards, with Nixon's signature on a political cartoon titled "The Watergate Comedy Hour". All of the signatures appear to be genuine, but have not been professionally authenticated. The frame containing the pieces measures approximately 42 1/2 inches by 58 1/2 inches, with plexiglass covering all of the contents.

Price Realized:

Desirable World War II British Mk II Universal Bren Gun Carrier

Lot 1409

WWII British Mk II Universal Bren Gun Carrier

Offered here is a very fine example of a desirable World War II British Universal Carrier, more popularly known as a Bren Gun Carrier. This example was built by Ford Motor Company of Canada in October 1944. Ford Motor Company of Canada manufactured approximately 29,000, with a small fraction of that surviving today. Based on a design by Vickers-Armstrongs dating to 1934, Universal Bren Gun Carriers were first introduced in 1940 for the war effort and were manufactured until as late as 1960 by a few other companies in which it saw continued use in later conflicts. From the sands of North Africa to the jungles and plains, these saw widespread use by British and Allied forces in all theaters of World War II where they were well received. They served as a versatile system, filling various roles including transporting equipment and personnel, support weapons, use as a machine gun platform, anti-tank weapon platform, and mortar platform. This Mk II variant supports a four man crew consisting of a driver and gunner in the front, and two riflemen in the rear, with a hatch on the front allowing use with a .303 caliber Bren machine gun or a .55 caliber Boys bolt action anti-tank rifle, a machine gun mounting point up high, and holders inside for small arms and a PIAT anti-tank weapon. Power is supplied by a 239 cubic inch (3.9 liter) Ford flathead V8 gasoline engine producing 85 hp, allowing 30 mph top speed with an operational range of approximately 150 miles. A towing attachment is located on the rear, allowing capability to haul the Ordnance QF 6-pounder anti-tank gun. Provenance: The Allan Cors Collection

Price Realized:

Lot 1413

World War II U.S. M20 Greyhound Armored Utility Car

Offered here is a very fine World War II M20 Greyhound armored utility car, one of approximately 3,791 manufactured between 1943-1944 by Ford Motor Company at their Chicago plant. Also known as the M20 scout car, these are on the same basic chassis as the M8 Greyhound light armored car, of which 8,523 were made by Ford between 1943-1945, but differs in that it has an armored open-topped superstructure with an anti-aircraft ring mount for use with a .50 caliber M2 Browning Machine Gun (not included) as opposed to the M8 with a 37mm gun and rotating turret. The M20 was used as a command vehicle, an armored personnel and cargo carrier, and for forward reconnaissance where it served its purpose well due to its high speed and mobility. Besides the anti-aircraft mount for use with an M2 machine gun, the four man crew was typically supplied with a bazooka in case of enemy tanks. The interior has mounting points for stowing a bazooka and rifles (not included). The armor is thin but provides protection for the crew from small arms fire and shrapnel. Powered by a Hercules JXD 320 cubic inch inline 6 cylinder gasoline engine producing 110 hp and mated to a 4-speed transmission, the approximately 16,500 pound M20 is capable of speeds up to 55 mph with up to a 250 mile operational range. These saw active use in the European and Pacific Theaters of World War II, with some supplied to allies through the lend lease program. M8s and M20s continued to see use through the Korean War before being retired from U.S. service, with some also seeing post World War II use with the French and Belgians, and continued use with the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) who used them throughout the Vietnam War, among various other users. "Labrador" is painted on the sides of this attractive U.S. military example. Provenance: The Allan Cors Collection

Price Realized:

A.M. General Corporation U.S. M151A2 Mutt 1/4 Ton Jeep Utility Truck

Lot 1418

A.M. General U.S. M151A2 Mutt 1/4 Ton Jeep Utility Truck

Offered here is a U.S. M151A2 Mutt 1/4 ton 4x4 jeep utility truck as manufactured by A.M. General Corporation, one of three manufacturers of these including Ford and Kaiser. The M151A2, introduced in 1968, has an improved suspension versus the M151A1, and improved turn signal-blackout driving lights on rounded front fenders. The M151 series was the successor to the Korean War era M38 series utility vehicles. Power is supplied by a 141 cubic inch inline 4-cylinder engine outputting 71 hp and 128 ft lb of torque mated to a 4-speed manual transmission. Provenance: The Allan Cors Collection

Lot 1499

Engraved William Ford Boxlock Double Barrel Shotgun with Case

Built with blued steel barrels featuring a single bead sight on the matted solid rib, "WILLIAM FORD." and "15. St MARY'S ROW. BIRMINGHAM" marked on the right and left tubes respectively, period Birmingham nitro proofs and import mark on the flats, choke constrictions of .000/.031 inches, and chambers proofed for "1 1/2" oz shot (3 inch) with automatic ejectors. The barrels are mated to a boxlock action which displays attractive scroll engraving with pheasants on the left and a setter on the right as well as "WILLIAM FORD" on either side. The gun features double triggers and a tang mounted safety (currently stuck in fire position). The gun is fitted with a beautifully figured and multi-point checkered forend with engraved fittings and a round knob pistol grip stock with teardrop carved drop points, blank silver inscription oval, and a leather covered recoil pad. Included is a more modern wood and leather takedown case, nickel snap caps, oiler, extra strikers, and cleaning tools. Stock measurements: 1 9/16 inch drop at comb; 2 3/16 inch drop at heel; 15 3/16 inch length of pull; cast-off; weight 7 lbs. 10 oz.

Has Box

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 12

Price Realized:

Lot 3083

Shadowbox Display Cased John Wayne Signed Cowboy Hat

Born Marion Robert Morrison in 1907 in Winterset Iowa, John "The Duke" Wayne needs little introduction. In 1916, Wayne's family moved to southern California, where he spent his childhood and would later attend college at USC. After breaking his collar bone during a bodysurfing incident, Wayne lost his football scholarship at the university, and being unable to pay his tuition, left college. As a favor to USC football coach Howard Jones, Wayne was hired as a prop boy and extra by Tom Mix and John Ford at the Fox Film Corporation. Wayne quickly moved into bit parts, before landing his first starring role in "The Big Trail" in 1930. In 1939, The Duke landed the lead role in "Stagecoach", making him a mainstream Hollywood star, going on to star in 142 films, Wayne cemented his legacy as one of Hollywood's legendary actors. John Wayne remains a household name to this day, having played a starring role in iconic films such as "Flying Leathernecks", "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon", "The Longest Day", "Rio Bravo", "The Alamo", "The Green Berets", "The Comancheros", and "True Grit". The hat itself appears to be a light tan colored Stetson (manufacturer not confirmed), similar to those worn by Wayne in many of his Western roles as well as in everyday life. The hat is signed "All/My Best/John Wayne" on the brim. The hat is surrounded by photos of Wayne is various Western movie roles and Western attire, which are inset in the matting along with a small plaque featuring his name, birth year, and death year. It is housed in a shadowbox type display that allows viewing of the hat from almost every angle. The shadowbox display as a whole measures approximately 29 1/4 x 41 1/4 x 6 3/4 inches and has hardwood framing supporting the large plexiglass panels.

Price Realized:

Historic, Documented, Period Modified Remington Model 11 Semi-Automatic "Sawed Off" Shotgun Attributed to Notorious Oklahoma Outlaw and Rival of "Pretty Boy" Floyd, Ford Bradshaw When He was Slain

Lot 3102

Outlaw Ford Bradshaw's Remington Model 11 "Sawed Off" Shotgun

Manufactured in March of 1930, this historic Remington Model 11 shotgun is attributed to the notorious prohibition era bank robber and outlaw Ford Bradshaw. Born in 1907 in the Oklahoma Territory, Bradshaw's life of crime began in the late 1920s. Bradshaw was a contemporary of other famous prohibition era outlaws including Bonnie and Clyde, John Dillinger, and Charles "Pretty Boy" Floyd. Floyd operated in much the same region as Bradshaw and somewhat overshadowed him. Many sources claim that the two outlaws had a friendly rivalry. Floyd's preferred targets were banks in larger cities with a larger single haul, while Bradshaw had a tendency to strike banks in smaller towns which were lower profile. While "Pretty Boy" Floyd is more infamous to this day, Bradshaw's rural bank raids far exceeded Floyd's heists both in number and value. In late 1933, one of Bradshaw's associates, Wilbur Underhill, was shot and killed while on honeymoon, leading to Bradshaw and several other men driving into Vian, Oklahoma, on New Year's Eve and shooting up the town. The shooting spree in Vian landed him on the FBI's Top Ten Most Wanted List. In some sources, Bradshaw is noted as being a leader of the Cookson Hills Gang and was one of the prime targets, along with Floyd, during a massive manhunt of the Cookson Hills in February of 1934, following the New Year's Eve rampage. The manhunt involved as many as 1,000 law enforcement as well as National Guard, road blocked highways, and combing the hills for criminals, 21 of which were arrested, but Floyd and Bradshaw slipped the noose. In early March, Bradshaw came out of hiding and decided to stop for a drink at a roadhouse in Arkoma, Oklahoma, right along the border with Arkansas. The roadhouse was owned by LeFlore County Deputy Sheriff Bill Harper and was operated by his brother Bob Harper. Some sources claim that Bradshaw caused a scene or even threatened and robbed the patrons of the roadhouse, while other sources simply claim that he was recognized. Either way, law enforcement was contacted and showed up some hours later. Most sources claim that Ford Bradshaw initially surrendered and was disarmed, as well as having his bullet proof vest removed. What happened next is not entirely clear from the sources, but it appears there was a scuffle, possibly a violent move towards Bob Harper, or simply an attempt to flee to his parked vehicle. However the events played out, the end result was Ford Bradshaw being hit with approximately seven .45 rounds fired from Bill Harper's semi-automatic pistol. The outlaw's death resulted is Bill Harper being charged with murder, which was later dropped due to a statement from Bradshaw's family. It is said that Harper became paranoid about retaliation, always carrying a gun and turned to alcohol, and died a few years after the slain outlaw. The shotgun itself shows mostly standard markings and features, as well as period modifications and an import mark under the forearm, likely made by Bradshaw himself. The modifications include the barrel having been shortened to 18 1/2 inches and the buttstock shortened to a trigger pull of approximately 9 1/2 inches, both modifications that would have made the gun handy for an outlaw operating primarily out of automobiles. A shotgun that is believed to be a Remington Model 11 with similar modifications is often seen carried in photographs of Bonnie Parker, and these were referred to as "whippet" guns by members of Bonnie and Clyde's "Barrow Gang". The choke is marked as "MOD". An included 1949 dated affidavit signed by A.L. Babb, who was LeFlore County under sheriff in 1934, states that on 2 March 1934, he was dispatched to investigate the killing of Ford Bradshaw by Bill Harper and found this shotgun, listed by manufacturer, gauge, and serial number, in Bradshaw's car and that it remained in his possession until he sold it to M. Hamby. Other documents are included related to Bradshaw's criminal career and death, including newspaper clippings, with some referring to a semi-automatic shotgun recovered at the scene. Also included is a Hall Funeral Homes Inc. document listing the bullet wounds found on Bradshaw's body. Provenance: The David Gainsborough-Roberts Collection

Documentation

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 12

Price Realized:

Historic Documented Browning Automatic Rifle Magazine and Five .30-06 Springfield Cartridges Attributed as Recovered from the Bonnie and Clyde "Death Car" with a Photograph of Items Recovered from the Car

Lot 3103

Items Attributed as Recovered from Bonnie and Clyde "Death Car"

There are certain names that are nearly synonymous with the "Public Enemy era" in the United States, marked by high profile lawlessness and organized crime. Some of these names include Al Capone, John Dillinger, "Pretty Boy" Floyd, "Baby Face" Nelson, and, perhaps most notoriously, Bonnie and Clyde. Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow both grew up in the urban slums of West Dallas, where they met many of the later members of the Barrow Gang, including Floyd Hamilton, whose Winchester rifle can be found in Lot 3101. The infamous duo began their life of armed robbery and murder in 1932, beginning small, mostly robbing small businesses and gas stations. In August of that year, Clyde and Raymond Hamilton, Floyd's brother, were approached by two police officers at a country dance in Oklahoma, and the pair shot the officers, killing one and seriously wounding the other. This was the first law enforcement officer killed by the gang who eventually would kill a total of nine, setting them on a one way path leading them to their graves. A raid on their Joplin, Missouri, hideout in 1933 led to many personal photographs of the gang being posted in newspapers, skyrocketing them to national fame. After the raid, the gang roamed from Minnesota to Texas, stepping up their robberies to banks, and realizing that their newfound fame made keeping a low profile much more difficult for them. In 1934, the noose began to close around Bonnie and Clyde, having sprung some of their gang members out of Eastham prison in Texas and embarrassing the Texas Department of Corrections. The department turned to former Texas Ranger Frank Hamer to track down and apprehend the pair. In April, Parker, Barrow, and another gang member opened fire on two motorcycle patrolmen, killing both, and solidly turning the public's perception against them. These killings also led to large bounties being placed on the heads of both Bonnie and Clyde. Hamer had tracked the outlaws movements for months, found their patterns, and by May was ready to lay his trap in Louisiana. Hamer's posse of six set an ambush along Louisiana State Highway 154 and waited for hours, some even saying they waited a whole day. At around 9:15 am on 23 May, a Ford V8 approached at high speed, slowing down slightly to take the bait the posse had laid. Before the car stopped, Hamer's men opened fire, killing Barrow almost instantly and unloading their plethora of weapons into the vehicle. Bonnie and Clyde were both killed, bringing their crime spree to an end. When the posse searched the vehicle they found veritable arsenal including automatic rifles, sawed off shotguns, a plethora of handguns, magazines, and stocks of ammunition, much of which had been acquired in raids on National Guard armories. A crowd gathered with the spread of the news and quickly turned into a looting mob, many struggling to grab anything they could as a souvenir. A photograph included with the lot shows a man standing with a display of weaponry and ammunition that were recovered from the vehicle by law enforcement. Included documentation states that the BAR magazine, five bullets, and five casings in a stripper clip in this lot were items also recovered from Bonnie and Clyde's car. The documentation from Sandy Jones of the John Dillinger Historical Society indicates that they were originally held as evidence by the F.B.I., the magazine still having an F.B.I. identification number scratched on it, before they were moved to the Texas Ranger collection in San Antonio and later privately acquired. The evidence identification number scratched on the magazine appears to be "B432217", with another illegible number scratched on the opposite side. An included document from Newton & Newton Ltd. states that the .30-06 rounds were deactivated so they could be owned in the U.K. without a firearms certificate, and they are now included in the lot as five casings in a stripper clip with five loosely seated bullets. Provenance: The David Gainsborough-Roberts Collection

Documentation

Price Realized:

Cased Historic Civil War 7th Illinois Infantry Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver Inscribed "Lt. Wm Mathie" with Documented Special Order Grip and Factory Letter

Lot 3208

Cased Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver Inscribed Lt. Wm Mathie

The included factory letter confirms the configuration (including the grip) and that this revolver was one of 48 of this type in a shipment to major dealer B. Kittredge & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio, on September 23, 1861. The revolver has a dovetailed blade front sight, the one-line New York address, "2" on the left side of the barrel lug, "COLTS/PATENT" on the left side of the frame, standard naval battle scene on the cylinder, matching serial numbers, and the factory dash marking above or below the serial numbers along the bottom designating the revolver for a special order grip and/or special finishing. The back strap is inscribed "Lt Wm Mathie" in flowing script. The revolver comes in a fitted presentation case with a cap tin, spare mainspring, turned bone container with spare nipples, key, powder flask, L-shaped combination tool, blued ball/bullet mold, and a Rampant Colt pin. Information on Lieutenant William Mathie (b. 1836) of Bunker Hill, Illinois, accompanies the revolver. He enrolled as a 1st lieutenant in Company F of the 7th Illinois Infantry on July 25, 1861. Effective April 8, 1862, Mathie was promoted to captain. On the muster roll for August 18, 1862, as "Absent on furlough since August 14, 1862, by special authority from Sec. of War for Maj. Gen. U.S. Grant." In "The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant," Mathie appears in a letter from Colonel John Cook to Grant: "At 3:15 P.M. Lieut Mathie Comd'g. Co. F. 7th Ills, Officer of the Day, reported to these Head Quarters the approach of three Rebel Gun Boats, names unknown, which were allowed to reach a distance of four and a half miles from Fort Holt, when deeming it imprudent to allow them to progress further the batteries were ordered to open upon them..." The 7th participated in the battles of Ford Donnelson and Shiloh before Mathie resigned on Dec 10, 1862. He was mustered into the Company A of the 97th Illinois Infantry on Dec. 21, 1863. Mathie was transferred to D Company of the 37th Illinois Infantry (Fremont Rifles or Illinois Greyhounds) on Jan. 20, 1864, and mustered out as a sergeant on May 15, 1866, with the regiment after guard duty around Houston. Provenance: Lt. William Mathie; David Condon Inc.; Property of a Gentleman

Documentation

Has Box

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 36

Price Realized:

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