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/Auctions...
/Premier Firearms Auction #82

Premier Firearms Auction #82

May 14, 2021 to May 16, 2021

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/Auctions...
/Premier Firearms Auction #82

Premier Firearms Auction #82

May 14, 2021 to May 16, 2021

This auction has ended.

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Auction Time Summary

Preview DayThursday, May 13th10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

SESSION IFriday, May 14th9 AMLots 1 through 726

SESSION IISaturday, May 15th9 AMLots 1000 through 1718

SESSION IIISunday, May 16th9 AMLots 3000 through 3758

To Be Sold At Auction

Preview Day Thursday May 13th
Open at 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

SESSION I - Friday, May 14th
TIME: Commencing at 9 a.m. selling between Lots 1 and 726
SESSION II - Saturday, May 15th
TIME: Commencing at 9 a.m. selling between Lots 1000 and 1718
SESSION III - Sunday, May 16th
TIME: Commencing at 9 a.m. selling between Lots 3000 and 3758

Phone: 1-309-797-1500

Email: [email protected]

Rock Island Auction Company
7819 42 Street West
Rock Island, Illinois, 61201, USA

Phone: 1-309-797-1500

Toll-Free: 1-800-238-8022

Email: [email protected]

Rock Island Auction Company - Rock Island

7819 42nd Street West

Rock Island, IL, 61201, USA

Page 1 of 1

Showing 1-33 of 33 results

Historic Butte, Montana Police Officer Edward J. O'Connor Revolver and Pistol Holster -A) Smith & Wesson .38 Safety Hammerless 4th Model Double Action Revolver

Lot Contains 2 Items

Pair of Pistols Owned by Butte, MO Officer Edward J. O'Connor

This pair of pistols and the holster rig belonged to Officer Edward J. O'Connor of Butte, Montana. O'Connor was born in 1910 and join the Butte Police Department in 1929 at the age of 19. O'Connor was a fine officer by all accounts and attend the National Police Academy run by the FBI and also helped in the capture of Harmon and Margaret Waley, the perpetrators of the infamous Weyerhaeuser kidnapping. He passed away in 1939 after a long battle with meningitis. Standard markings and features. Matching serial number on the barrel, barrel latch, cylinder, butt, and right grip panel. Includes a custom made leather holster rig made to fit both guns and a spare magazine, extra magazine for "B", detective's badge, and a letter proclaiming the pair as carried in the line by O'Connor but listing his date of passing incorrectly as 1938.

Documentation

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 25 ACP, 38 S&W

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Highly Desirable, Nickel Plated Black Powder Colt Etched Panel Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army Revolver

Colt Black Powder Frame Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army

Manufactured in 1889, this is a much sought after example of an acid etched panel black powder and fully factory nickel plated Colt Single Action Army revolver in 44-40 WCF. The left side of the barrel has the acid etched “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” panel. This highly desirable etched barrel panel was officially replaced by the Colt factory in the 120,000 serial number range with the much easier to produce and larger roll-stamping. The top of the barrel has the stamped one-line Hartford address, the left side of the frame has the stamped three-line patent dates marking, and the underside of the barrel has the correct small "44" marking. The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The loading gate is marked with the assembly number "4" and it is fitted with a pair of original eagle pattern hard rubber grips.

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 44-40 WCF

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Engraved and Gold and Silver Plated Pair of First Generation Colt Single Action Army Revolvers with Pearl Grips -A) Colt Single Action Army Revolver

Lot Contains 2 Items

Engraved & Gold & Silver Plated Pair of Colt Single Action Armys

These revolvers were manufactured in 1911(A) and 1917 (B) and feature matching gold and silver plated finish, extensive scroll engraving with zig-zag lined backgrounds covering 75% of the surfaces, and smooth pearl grips. The other markings and features are all standard.

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 32-20 WCF

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Scarce Documented Cased Pair of Colt Model 1855 Sidehammer Pocket Revolvers -A) Colt 1855 Sidehammer Percussion Revolver

Lot Contains 2 Items

Documented Cased Pair of Colt Model 1855 Pocket Revolvers

This cased set of .31 caliber Colt Model 1855 Sidehammer Pocket revolvers and accessories are pictured and discussed on pages 92-93 of Wilson and Hable's COLT PISTOLS. They write "Among the true rarities in Colt casings are cased pairs from the Model 1855 Sidehammer series. Pistols Nos. 370 and 1124 may well be unique, due mainly to the casing: Leather covered wood, with a contour-lined interior…The extra fine condition overall suggests the set saw little, if any, use but undoubtedly was a conversation piece for all who saw it." The pair of 'Model 3A' revolvers have 3 1/2-inch octagon barrels, fluted five-shot cylinders, round loading levers and 5/8-inch capping cut-outs in the recoil shields. The barrels are roll-stamped with the second style legend, without the pointing hand. "PATENTED SEPT. 10th 1850" is roll stamped in the cylinder flutes of both revolvers. The serial numbers are stamped on the underside of the barrel and on the butt of both revolvers Both revolvers have the Colt high polish commercial blue finish on the barrels, cylinders and frames. The loading levers, hammers, triggers and cylinder pins are casehardened. The barrels have brass cone front sights and the hammer spurs have bordered knurling. The one-piece walnut grips have a high polish piano finish. The revolvers are in a wooden, French-fitted dealer case. The case has a black painted finish and the lid is secured with two hooks. The case is lined with brown velvet and has seven compartments. In addition to the revolvers, the case is complete with: (1) a blued, iron, straight leg, .31 caliber, double cavity bullet mold for round balls and conical bullets marked "COLT'S/PATENT" on the top of the sprue cutter (Rapley #M25), (2) American Flask and Cap Co., pocket pistol flask with fixed charger embossed with the 'Eagle and Shield' motif and "E.PLURIBUS UNUM." in a ribbon on both sides (Rapley, p.309, Fig.7 and 8), (3) Combination tool for Root Sidehammer pistols (Rapley #T19), and (4) assortment of lead round balls and conical bullets. The case has a compartment for a cap tin but no tin is present.

Has Box

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 31 percussion

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Well-Documented, NRA Silver Medal Award Winning Cased Pair of Consecutively Serialized, Exhibition Quality Gustave Young Factory Engraved and Gold Plated Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Target Revolvers Presented by the Prince of Wales to Famed Marksman Captain Leon Martin Formerly of the Famed Harolds Club Collection -A) Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Target Revolver

Lot Contains 2 Items

Presentation Pair of Smith & Wesson New Model 3 Target Revolvers

This presentation set of consecutively serialized S&W New Model No. 3 Target Revolvers feature splendid, highly sought after factory engraving by famed Master Engraver Gustave Young. Young worked with Smith & Wesson as early as 1865 after serving as Colt's Master Engraver and was the in-house engraver for Smith & Wesson starting in 1869 until his death in 1895. His sons, Oscar, Eugene, and Robert, also worked for Smith & Wesson and used similar styles. On these revolvers Young's elaborate, exhibition quality scrollwork on a punch dot background covers 80% the surfaces. The two-line barrel rib legends end with the reissue patent date. Matching respective serial numbers are on the butt, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch. Each revolver has a gold plated barrel, cylinder and frame and smooth pearl grips. The leather bound presentation case is lined in velour. The interior of the lid has a presentation placard. This placard is in French and translates, "Revolvers offered by the Prince of Wales, King of England, to Captain Leon Martin, First Marksman of the World." This set will factory letter as a special order item shipped on June 18, 1891 to C.L. Daily. Daily was a sharpshooter and associate of famed American showman Buffalo Bill. In 1883, Buffalo Bill founded "Buffalo Bill's Wild West", a circus-like extravaganza that toured widely for three decades in the United States and later throughout Europe. His legendary show was a highly popular form of late 19th century entertainment that featured Native Americans and cowboys performing elaborate productions, which helped to solidify the legend of the American Western Frontier that still resonates today. In 1887, the show traveled to Europe. In all, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West toured Europe eight times. The first four tours occurred between 1887 and 1892 and the last four from 1902 to 1906, bringing to Europe an exotic form of American entertainment which was even viewed by Queen Victoria and members of the royal family, including the Prince of Wales. Capt. Martin was a British Army officer who performed at a shooting exhibition for which these revolvers were presented. Purportedly, this event was held in conjunction with Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West while touring in Europe. Martin, who was a contemporary of machine gun inventor Hiram Maxim, performed with him at shooting events in the 1890s and early 1900s in the United Kingdom and United States and even took part in publicly testing a "bullet-proof coat" in 1894 (copy of newspaper article included). The revolvers are identified and pictured in R.L. Wilson and Greg Martin's "Buffalo Bill's Wild West: An American Legend" on page 95 (the barrel length and caliber are incorrectly listed) and in Hank Bowman's "Famous Guns from the Harolds Club Collection" on page 122. Both books are included. The Harolds Club was a Reno, Nevada, casino that opened in 1935 and closed in 1995. By the early 1960s, the Harolds Club possessed a collection of some 3,000 guns in all with about 2,000 displayed in the Roaring Camp Room, the Silver Dollar Bar, and elsewhere throughout the casino. Co-owner Harold Smith Sr. called it "one of the world's greatest gun collections," but in 1993 the collection was sold to Butterfield & Butterfield, and the guns were auctioned off in 1994. In May 2010, this set was awarded the National Rifle Association's Annual Meetings "10 Best" Silver Medal Arms Award, "one of a maximum of ten certificates awarded each year to arms of outstanding historical value, or beauty, or rarity, selected from displays of the NRA's Affiliated Gun Collector Organizations," in Charlotte, North Carolina. The silver medal, No. 488, is included.

Documentation

Has Box

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 44 S&W Russian

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Pair of Engraved and Gold Inlaid Unzueta E Hijos Double Action Pinfire Revolvers -A) Unzueta E Hijos Revolver

Lot Contains 2 Items

Pair of Unzueta Hijos Santander Pinfire Revolvers

The barrels have gold bands at the muzzles, bead front sights, "UNZUETA E HIJOS SANTANDER" and scroll patterns in gold, and octagonal breech sections. The cylinders, and frame have relief engraved scroll patterns. The front of the cylinders also have "B.U." The "A" gun has "1" on the cylinder and breech face. The hammers and triggers have straw colors. The revolvers also have ejector rods on the right and lanyard loops. The later production custom made case also contains a cleaning rod and a screwdriver.

Has Box

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 11 mm

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Pair of Colt New Service Flattop Target Revolvers in Dual Caliber 44 Russian/S&W Special with British Factory Letter and a NRA Case -A) Colt New Service Flattop Target

Lot Contains 2 Items

Pair of Colt New Service Flattop Target Revolvers

This is a beautiful example of a factory documented pair of Colt New Service Flattop Target revolvers in the ultra-rare dual calibers of .44, Russian/S&W Special. These pistols are serial numbered 306929 and 307135 and the included factory letter states they were shipped in August 1920 to Von Lengerke and Detmold of New York. Obviously after that they were shipped directly to England as both pistols have the full British import/firing proofs of the London proof house under each barrel. These revolvers have the Colt high polish commercial blue finish with the very rare fully checkered walnut grips in a Fleur-De-Lis pattern with the gold Colt medallions at the top of each grip. The top of the barrels are marked "COLT'S PATENT FIREARMS MANUFACTURING CO. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A./PAT.AUG.5.1884. JUNE 5 1900, JULY 4.1905." and the left side of each barrel is marked with the designation: "NEW SERVICE RUSSIAN AND S&W SPECIAL, 44". The frames are the later Flattop Target style and the markings consist of the Rampant Colt trademark on the side plate behind the cylinder latch of each revolver. The underside of each barrel is marked with British proof marks from the London Proof house which are "the raised sword over NP (Nitro Proof) 44, .958 7 G.R.S. S.S X 246 G.R.S." just ahead of the frame, and each chamber of both cylinders also has a small Crown firing proof. The full serial numbers are located on the inside of the frames and the inside of the cylinder cranes and the back of each grip panel is marked with the full serial number in pencil (which would be the correct factory style at this time). They are fitted with the factory target sights that have the blade front sight and the blade rear, each adjustable for elevation and windage respectively, with the grip straps, face of the trigger and hammer spur, hand checkered. The two pistols are housed in an old black leather bound carrying case that is marked on the front with a small brass plate that reads "MFG. EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA , WASHINGTON D.C., REGISTERED No. 255/HARTMAN". The case has room for the two pistols and two other compartments for cleaning equipment and accessories.

Documentation

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 44 Russian S&W special

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Colt Police Positive Double Action Revolver Outfitted with a Unique Seely Night Sight, as Documented in American Rifleman

Colt Police Positive Revolver with Unique Seely Night Sight

As described in the article "An Extraordinary Achievement: The First Handgun-Mounted Light?" by J.B. Wood published in "American Rifleman" October, 2013 (copy of text included), this revolver is the only known example of what may be the first practical electric targeting/illumination device mounted on a firearm. While the electric flashlight arrived on the scene in 1902, the delicate bulb filament presented a challenge for anyone who wanted to attach one to a gun, as the force of recoil could break the light. In 1911, George Seely of San Francisco addressed the problem with an integrated rubber and spring shock assembly that provided some protection for the bulb. Patent #1029951 was granted in 1912, and records show the Seely Night-Sight & Arms Co active in 1915. In many, many ways this device was light years ahead of its time, and the world really wasn't ready for it. Battery and bulb technology simply weren't where they needed to be to make a design like this practical, and the work to install one was significant, deterring all but the most committed. Seely's design was clever, but not successful; California records show that the business did not cover its corporation taxes for 1915, causing it to be shuttered in 1916. While not successful in its day, decades later the use of on-board illumination and targeting devices came back around, and in the current era rank among the most popular handgun accessories on the market. As originally manufactured (per the included letter), this revolver was part of a 10-piece shipment to the Dunham, Carrigan & Hayden Company of San Francisco, California on April 9, 1915. Standard markings are present, and many modifications have been made to the revolver. The Seely device rides below the barrel, attached to a bracket that is secured with at least two drilled and tapped screws. A pair of thin steel tubes connects the light to the frame, where a series of cunningly cut channels allow the wire connections to run through the frame to an aluminum grip unit which houses both the battery and a pressure-activated power switch. Out of concern for the safety of the device we have not attempted grip disassembly, but the American Rifleman article notes that a modern-made battery is installed, which powers the device. The revolver includes a custom fit black leatherette case, a vintage Winchester flashlight battery, a spare bulb and a small screwdriver. Provenance: The Clive Cussler Collection

Documentation

Has Box

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 38 special

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Scarce Documented Factory Inscribed Southern Express Company Shipped Colt Police Positive Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter

Southern Express Company Colt Police Positive Revolver

Manufactured in 1913 with standard markings apart from the "S.E.C. No. 665" marking on the butt. This marking is for the Southern Express Company which operated a large railway network in the southeast United States from 1861-1918. It is fitted with a pair of Colt medallion grips with a relief carved steer head on the right panel. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration including the engraving on the butt (grips not listed), as well as shipment to C.L. Loop, V.P. of the So. Express Company for W. Buckner, Superintendent on 27 August 1913.

Documentation

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 38 LC

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Cased Matching Pair of Colt Peacemaker Centennial Revolvers with Boxes -A) Colt Peacemaker Centennial Frontier Six Shooter Revolver

Lot Contains 2 Items

Cased Matching Pair of Colt Peacemaker Centennial Revolvers

Standard markings and features. Includes presentation case for both guns, hand numbered Colt "woodgrain" boxes for each gun, and shipping box.

Has Box

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 44-40 WCF, 45 LC

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Matched Pair of Cased Colt NRA Centennial Commemorative Handguns -A) Colt Single Action Army Revolver

Lot Contains 2 Items

Pair of Cased Colt NRA Centennial Commemorative Handguns

Standard markings and features. With presentation case. Matched with "B".

Has Box

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 45 LC, 45 ACP

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Exceptional Documented Cased Colt No. 5 Texas Paterson Revolver with Accessories as Pictured in "The Paterson Colt Book"

Cased Colt No. 5 Texas Paterson Revolver

Rock Island Auction Company is pleased to present Colt No. 5 Texas Paterson Revolver serial number 157, an exceptional piece of Colt history as documented in R.L. Wilson’s “The Paterson Colt Book” and accompanying R.L. Wilson letter. This is one of the rarest Colt sets. Even the most advanced Colt collections are missing this type of Paterson revolver set. Research by Linda Lasseter and Steve Evans approximates that there are only 29 known No. 5s with 9 inch barrels. Even rarer are cased nine inch barreled No. 5 sets. Known cased set examples include no. 3 from The Paterson Museum collection, nos. 141 and 515 sold by us in auction 70 (May 2017) and auction 61 (May 2014) respectively and cased pair nos. 582 and 600 in a private collection. Finally, there is this example, no. 157, waiting to be included in your collection. Approximately 1,000 No. 5 Texas Paterson revolvers manufactured by Samuel Colt's Patent Arms Manufacturing Company from 1838-40. The No. 5 Holster Model were the largest of all the Paterson handguns and achieved fame as a result of their use by Captain Jack Hays and other Rangers on the Texas frontier. In fact, a major purchaser of the No. 5 was the Republic of Texas. Samuel Walker was familiar with the No. 5 during his days as a Texas Ranger and used the revolver to great effect. His experience with the Paterson persuaded him to advocate for a larger, quicker loading revolver powerful enough to kill either a man or horse with a single shot. His discussions with Samuel Colt led to the Colt Walker Model revolver in 1847. What followed next was a rapid evolution in revolver design spearhead by Colt who introduced the Dragoon series of revolvers that were based on the Walker design. Samuel Walker is often credited for establishing early Colt revolvers as an effective handgun. The Walker and Dragoon revolvers definitely provided Colt with financial relief and fame. This particular No. 5 features a barrel with a German silver front sight blade and "- Patent Arms M'g. Co. Paterson, N.J. - Colt's Pt. -" reading from the breech to the muzzle with “star & snake” terminals at either end of the roll-stamped legend. The five-shot cylinder with square shoulder is roll engraved with the stagecoach holdup scene and is marked "COLT." Based on research by Linda Lasseter and Steve Evans, there are only 33 known No. 5s with square back cylinders but only 12 known with 9 inch barrels and square back cylinders. The hammer spur is smooth. The serial number “157” is on the rear face of the barrel lug, rear face of the cylinder, wedge, cylinder collar, bottom of grip, and inside of the back strap. The walnut case lined in blue velvet and featuring wires and studs to secure the accessories is original. The accessories are original and correct. The extra cylinder is numbered (“157”) to the gun and features the correct roll engraved stagecoach holdup scene. The other accessories are the following: combination loading tool with screwdriver, nipple wrench, and nipple pricker, brass cleaning rod with wooden handle, combination powder and ball flask bearing the number “18” (rarely do flask numbers match these revolvers in the same set), blued bullet mold with wooden handles, brass capper featuring the early Rampant Colt logo, and case key. This No. 5 along with its case and accessories is pictured and identified in R.L. Wilson’s “The Paterson Colt Book” on page 136. In his accompanying letter (copy), Wilson authenticates this No. 5 along with the accessories and concludes, “Serial No. 157 Texas or Holster Model Paterson Colt Revolver is one of the finest and most desirable of Patersons which it has been the author’s privilege to examine. It is well deserving of a place of honor in the most discriminating of museum or private collections.” We could not have said it better. Provenance: Warren Anderson, Ira Weinstein, Dennis LeVett, Bobby Smith and property of a gentleman

Documentation

Has Box

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 36

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Cased Pair of Factory Engraved Silver Plated Colt Model 1860 Army Percussion Revolvers with Extraordinary Relief Carved Mexican Eagle Grip -A) Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver

Lot Contains 2 Items

Factory Engraved Pair of Colt Model 1860 Army Revolvers

Each revolver was manufactured in 1865 and features matching Colt factory engraving. The engraving is in a vine pattern without shading in the Gustave Young style. Several of the scrolls terminate in floral blossoms. The engraving on the barrel sides extends to the top, terminating just ahead of the one-line New York address. The barrel wedges have a matching engraving. The hammers are engraved with a wolf’s head on both sides of the noses and fish scales on the sides of the spurs. Both revolvers feature serial numbers on the barrel, frame, trigger guard and back strap marked along with the letter “E,” which was used to denote factory engraved revolvers. The left side of the 3-screw frames cut for a shoulder stock have the hand engraved “COLTS/PATENT” in an upward arch. The cylinders have the standard naval scene and are marked “COLTS PATENT.” The left side of the trigger guards are marked "44 CAL." The revolvers feature a full silver plating while the hammers, cylinders and loading levers appear to have a gold wash over the silver. The screws are niter blue. The revolvers wear a fantastic relief carved Mexican eagle grip on the left side of the “A” and on the right of the “B.” This is a true factory pair as “A” no. 154299 and “B” no. 154304 are only 5 numbers a part. “A” cylinder lacks a serial number. “B” cylinder is numbered to a different gun (“4204”, possibly a factory error as ”4204” is also on the wedge). The wedge on “A” is correctly numbered to the gun. Both “A” and “B” have respective matching full or partial serial numbers on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, and arbor pin. The revolvers are housed in an original partitioned case lined in burgundy velvet and containing a “COLTS/PATENT marked double face trophy of flags and arms silver plated powder flask, silver plated two cavity steel bullet mold marked “COLT’S/PATENT” on the sprue cutter and “44H” on the right side, silver plated “L” shaped combination tool, few lead rounds, 2 Eley cap tins, case key, and small container. This set certainly would have made for a fine presentation piece for a Mexican politician or military officer. With the end of the Civil War, President Johnson pressured the Napoleon III to back down and unofficially armed the Mexican republicans against Maximilian and the foreign supported Mexican imperial forces. With the withdrawal of French forces, Maximilian was left scrambling to hold power and issued increasingly brutal orders, including a decree calling for the execution of any member of an armed band in a futile attempt to end resistance to his rule. He was captured and executed himself by firing squad on June 19, 1867. The set would have certainly been a fitting presentation piece for a leader of the "Restored Republic" in 1867-1876.

Has Box

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 44

Extraordinary Finest Known Presentation Cased Pair of National Treasure L. D. Nimschke Signed, "Mirror Image" Master Engraved Remington New Model Army Percussion Revolvers with American and Russian Theme Raised Relief Carved Grips Presented to "The Great Liberator": Czar Alexander II of Russia during the American Civil War -A) Remington New Model Army Revolver

Lot Contains 2 Items

Presentation Pair of Engraved Remington New Model Army Revolvers

These incredible and historic pistols are photographed on the cover of "The Guns of Remington: Historic Firearms Spanning Two Centuries" compiled by Howard M. Madaus and described as believed to have been specially engraved by New York Master Engraver Louis D. Nimschke "after the departure of the" Russian Imperial Atlantic Fleet in April 1864 "as a gift to the Czar of Russia to express American appreciation for the fleet's visit." The book notes that the pair was split up sometime after the Russian Revolution. One turned up in Montana in 1929, and the other revolver and case were offered for sale in Europe and purchased by F. "Slim" Kohler of the Remington Society of America and reunited in 1991. He owned the revolvers until they were sold in 2012. The Remington Society's website notes: "Slim was instrumental in coordinating the acquisition and installation of the first major Remington exhibition of more than 800 firearms at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center back in 1997. Many special pieces make up his collection, including a pair of Remington percussion revolvers made in 1864 for Czar Alexander II on the occasion of a visit of the Russian Imperial Fleet to the United States during the Civil War. The pair of revolvers is shown in a satellite display in the Embellished Arms Gallery of the Cody Firearms Museum." The engraving on these revolvers is captured in Nimschke's pull-book and photographed on page 19 of "L. D. Nimschke: Firearms Engraver" by R.L. Wilson. The pulls from the top straps, lower sides of the frames, top of the back straps, the loading levers, and cylinders are all shown. Nimschke's "N" signature is among the engraving above the triggers on the side of the frames. The mirror image fouled anchor design on the right (A) and left (B) sides of the respective frames combined with the Columbian shield on the top of the back straps, the patriotic American eagle motif carved in raised relief on the right grips, and the extraordinary raised relief carved Russian Imperial Coat of Arms on the left grips clearly points to friendship between the Union government and the Imperial Russian Navy and court. President Abraham Lincoln and Czar Alexander II are known to have formed a personal friendship, and the Russian leader wrote to Lincoln at least 21 times and followed the events of the American Civil War closely. Alexander II's refusal to recognize the Confederacy and intervene on its behalf is credited with helping keep Britain and France from openly recognizing and supporting the Confederacy themselves despite their hostility to the Union and their economic interests in the South. There were times where intervention and even open war with European powers appeared imminent, but with the Russians potentially allied with the Americans against the British and French, their governments took a much more cautious approach. President Lincoln also presented a pair of gold inlaid Colt Model 1860 Army revolvers, serial numbers 31906 and 31905 to Charles XV King of Sweden (stolen in from the Royal Armories in the late 1960s and never recovered) and a nearly identical pair to Frederick VII King of Denmark numbers 31904 and 31905. The exact dates of the presentations are unclear, but both were believed to be presented in 1863. The Russians sent vessels across both the Pacific and the Atlantic to visit the Union ports in 1863-1864 in what many at the time in the U.S. and abroad saw as a clear show of support for the Union. The first of the Russian Baltic Fleet arrived in New York Harbor on September 24, 1863, and the Russian Far East Fleet arrived on October 12, 1863, in San Francisco. The Baltic Fleet was under Rear-Admiral Lessoffsky (Lisovksy). While the visits did in part represent friendly relations between the two countries, the Russian fleets were also in American waters for strategic reasons: to keep them safe and able to launch attacks against their adversaries if war broke out in Europe over tensions relating to the uprising of the Poles against the Russian Empire which broker out in 1863 and was supported by the British and French. The British shipbuilder Laird in Liverpool was constructing ironclad rams that could penetrate the Union blockade of the Confederacy raising tensions with the United States as well. By sending their fleets to American waters, the Russians were preventing their fleets from being cornered by the superior British Royal Navy in the event of war, and their friendly reception also suggested to the British that a war with either the United States or the Russian Empire might turn into a costly world war. Regardless of the Russians' intentions, Northerners rejoiced and celebrated their arrival, and their presence boosted Union morale. In turn, Russian government officials were pleased to see their navy had received such a warm welcome in the U.S. Coincidentally, the September 25, 1863, issue of the New York Times includes a Remington revolver advertisement below the list of the newly arrived vessels, including the Russian warships. In New York, there were lavish dinners and celebrations arranged to host the Russians, Russian flags were flown around the city, the officers had their portraits taken by Matthew Brady, and First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln (who was sent by President Lincoln) and American officials dined with the Russian officers, and many Americans went aboard some of the Russian vessels, including the First Lady who boarded the flagship Alexander Nevsky and toasted to the health of Alexander II. By tradition, it has long been believed that it was at that celebration onboard the Russian flagship that Mary Todd Lincoln made the presentation of these pistols. The previously mentioned presentations of pairs of fabulous revolvers to important allies by President Lincoln himself certainly supports this idea particularly as the presentations were made at the same time, 1863. This idea is further cemented by the gorgeous eagle and shield rendition of the Seal of the Untied States, the Royal Seal of the Russian coat of arms and house Romanov (crown over seal) and the naval theme of the revolvers. The New York Times reported: "The presence of a Russian fleet in the harbor of New York is welcomed by all persons with the greatest pleasure." On December 23, 1863, Secretary Seward wrote to Bayard Taylor saying, “In regard to Russia, the case is a plain one. She has our friendship, in every case, in preference to any other European power, simply because she always wishes us well, and leaves us to conduct our affairs as we think best.” The Russian fleet was invited by the city government of Boston to visit that city and stayed from May 28 to June 15 of 1864. While there, they were again very warmly welcomed and treated to the city's finest, including a banquet at the Revere House on June 7, 1864. Lessoffsky and some of the other Russian officers also toured the Sharps rifle factory. In the West, things got off to a bit of a rockier start when the first Russian vessel ran aground and had to be rescued by the Americans, but they too were received with cheers and warm hospitality in San Francisco, including a grand ball at the Union Hall, and Admiral Popov (Popoff), the commander of the fleet, hosted American officials for dinner on his ship and even gave orders to defend San Francisco in the event of a Confederate attack on the city itself or if they were fired upon themselves by the Confederate cruisers in the area. When the fleets returned to Russia, they were welcomed by Alexander II and many of the men were promoted. While Lincoln is remembered favorably as the "Great Emancipator" for freeing millions of slaves via the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, Alexander II is remembered as "Alexander the Liberator" and the "Great Liberator" for officially emancipating over 20 million Russian serfs two years earlier on February 19, 1861, through his "Emancipation Edict." Comparisons between the two liberators were made during the visit of the Russian fleet, including in toasts to the Russian leader. After Lincoln's assassination, Alexander II wrote to Mary Todd Lincoln saying: “He was the noblest and greatest Christian of our generation. He was a beacon to the whole world-nothing but courage, steadfastness and the desire to do good." Like Lincoln, the Russian "Liberator" was also assassinated in March 13, 1881, after having survived several other assassination attempts dating back to the mid-1860s. Like Lincoln's death, the Czar's assassination helped secure him as one of the most recognized Russian rulers. In the Russian Empire, the assassination also lead to severe government crackdowns, including anti-Jewish pogroms. The comparisons between the two men have not gone unnoticed, and exhibitions in Russia and the United States of objects related to both men have been put on display together in the 21st century. In other demonstrations of positive relations between the two countries, the U.S. Navy visited Russia after the Civil War as a sign of support for Alexander II after he survived an assassination attempt on April 16, 1866, a year and one day after Lincoln's assassination, and the Russian Empire sold Alaska to the United States in 1867. In addition to friendship with the United States, the Russian government also sought to prevent it from being taken by their British adversaries. The Romanov dynasty and Russian government retained positive relations with the United States until their fall in the Russian Revolution. The exact origin and history of these revolvers remains unclear, but the work was clearly commissioned through, if not directly by, E. Remington & Sons given the revolvers have special order department serial numbers, and the overall theme is clearly in commemoration of the Russian Navy's visit in 1863-1864 and the friendship between the Americans and Russians. The factory may have had the revolvers embellished for presentation in the hopes of winning the Russian government's favor and thus valuable military contracts. Samuel Colt had previously commissioned elaborate presentation revolvers for Alexander II's father, Nicholas I, and Colt's revolvers were subsequently adopted and copied by the Russian military. The leadership of Remington may have seen the tensions between Russia and other European powers as creating a potentially lucrative market for their firearms, especially knowing that once the American Civil War ended domestic arms sales would slow tremendously. Remington failed to succeed in capturing significant Russian contracts, and instead, the Smith & Wesson No. 3 Russian revolvers were adopted. Like the Colt revolver before them, the Smith & Wesson revolvers were copied in Russia leading to the near destruction of Smith & Wesson. Remington Arms Co. famously suffered a similar fate decades later when they supplied the Russian Empire with Mosin-Nagant rifles during World War I, and the lack of payment following the Russian Revolution nearly caused the company to collapse. Despite having once been separated for the better part of a century, the revolvers remain in the same exceptional condition and have "pinched" blade front sights, the standard New Model Army barrel markings, and the standard top strap groove rear sights. The barrels have arrows, scroll, and floral engraving on the top and side flats; intertwining lines on the upper and lower side flats, and borders at the muzzles and breeches. The loading levers have scroll and crosshatch patterns. The frames feature primarily scroll engraving along with floral motifs, the fouled anchors on the right side of the first revolver and the left side of the second revolver, chains along the top straps, the Columbian or Union shield on the back straps behind the hammers, and border designs. The bottom of the frames have an interesting slight deviation in designs that may have had specific meaning to Nimschke. Each has a twisted rope design with a star in the front loop and dots outside the rope. The first revolver has four dots while the second revolver has eight dots. It is possible these dots represent the amount of time spent engraving the revolvers given Nimschke's counterpart Gustave Young's use of dots representing work days on the hammers of Colt revolvers. The shape of the twisted ropes is also slightly different. On the first revolver, the three loops are of roughly equal size, but on the second revolver, the central loop is nearly closed, and the rear loop is smaller than the front loop. There are also some very slight differences in some of the scrolls and floral elements. A tiny "N" is marked among the engraving on the left side of each frame above the trigger. The scroll and floral engraving on the silver-plated trigger guards is seamless with the engraving on the frames and is horizontally inversed when comparing the two revolvers. The cylinders have borders at the front edges and feature floral scroll designs with slightly different blooms on the respective cylinders. They come in a hardwood presentation case with an exceptionally high condition powder flask as well as balls and bullets, two cartridge packs, a bright dual cavity bullet mold, an oiler, an Eley Bros. cap tin, some spare springs and nipples, and a cleaning rod.

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Caliber / Gauge: 44

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Colt Model 1877 Lightning Double Action Ejectorless Revolver with Pearl Grips and Factory Letter

Colt Model 1877 Lightning Revolver with Pearl Grips

Manufactured in 1879 with two-line barrel address on top, caliber marking in an acid etched panel on the left of the ejectorless barrel, three-line patent dates on the left of the frame, and matching serial numbers throughout. Blade front and frame notch rear sights and fitted with a pair of smooth pearl grips. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration including the pearl grips as well as shipment to B. Kittredge & Co. in Cincinnati on 18 August 1879.

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Caliber / Gauge: 38 Long Colt

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Cased Pair of Factory Engraved, Gold and Nickel Plated Colt New Line .22 Etched Panel Revolvers -A) Colt New Line .22 Revolver

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Two Factory Engraved Colt New Line .22 Etched Panel Revolvers

Both revolver were manufactured in 1876 and feature a factory engraved motif consisting of floral scrollwork and geometric patterns. The left side of the barrel has the etched model panel, which is flanked by engraved flourishes. The top of the barrel has the two-line address. "22 CAL" is marked on the left side of the frame. The revolver is plated in a two-tone gold and nickel finish. Both grip panels, are numbered to the respective gun. The pistols are housed in a French cut case containing two circular cartridge blocks holding a total of 14 rounds.

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Caliber / Gauge: 22 RF

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Exceptionally Rare Pair of Documented Special Order Colt Double Action Revolvers with 10 Inch Barrels, Factory Letters, and Boxes -A) Colt Officer's Model Match Revolver

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Pair of Documented Special Order Colt Double Action Revolvers

This pair of very interesting and scarce revolvers were manufactured in 1955. Included are copies of correspondence between the original owner of the pair and Colt's acting sales manager at the time A. F. Donovan Jr. regarding the request to have these special revolvers made. The letters make reference to the initial request for the revolvers being made 5 years prior to the included documentation, which is dated 1955. The letter from Donovan dated 5 January 1955 states that he discussed the request with the Manager of the Colt Arms Division, P. W. Schwartz, who then discussed what issues might arise with A. J. Gunther, the Superintendent of the Arms Manufacturing Division, who came to the conclusion that it could be done and that neither of the barrels would have any taper. The letter goes on to state that the sales department had frequently received requests for all manner of special order configurations but that, "We (Donovan) have been in the Sales Department for several years now and this is the first time we know of that we have consented to do any custom gun work. The letter continues on to state the selling prices of the special revolvers, suggestion of a local Colt distributor to channel the order through, and that at some point Donovan would someday like to have the opportunity to see the customer carrying out his "experiments". The letter does not give any indication what these experiments might be, though it is likely related to the mounting of a high powered scope. The return letter from the customer dated 13 February 1955 states that the arrangements are satisfactory and that the revolvers should be built with 2 1/2 lb trigger pulls, the ends of both barrels maintained to accommodate front sights attached with screws, and that the .22 revolver's barrel be drilled and tapped for scope mounts for the mounting of a Lyman 30X telescope sight which he mailed to the factory for fitment. Also included is a period photograph that appears to be this revolver fitted with said telescopic sight. The factory letters for both revolvers confirm their current configurations (grips not listed) including the special order 10 inch barrels and 2 1/2 lb trigger pulls, as well as shipment to Dakin Sporting Goods Company of Bangor, Maine on 18 March 1955. Also included is a copy of a receipt from Morrison's Gun Shop of Bangor that appears to show payment of the prices discussed in the previous letter. This revolver, like its companion, has standard markings for its model. It is fitted with a ramped blade front sight retained with two screws, an elevation adjustable notch rear sight, and checkered walnut grips with Colt medallions. Includes a black Colt Buntline Special box with matching test target.

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Caliber / Gauge: 22 LR, 357 magnum

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Very Fine Retailer Cased Pair of Consecutive Numbered Wilkinson Retailer Marked Webley-Pryse Double Action Revolvers Inscribed and Identified with Documentation -A) Webley-Pryse Revolver

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Cased Pair Wilkinson Retailer Marked Webley-Pryse DA Revolvers

The Webley-Pryse was first manufactured in 1877. Blade front and notch rear sights. Inscribed "WILKINSON & SON. PALL MALL, LONDON." on top of the barrel rib, and a Star of David with initials "HW" inside inscribed on the left at the breech. The rear face of the cylinder has "60", "2", and "131". Checkered walnut grip with the serial number marked on the lower left, and a lanyard ring on the butt. Included felt lined two revolver wood case has a Wilkinson & Son trade label for 27 Pall Mall in London adhered inside the lid, and contains one later Kynoch Webley cartridge. Included factory research letters from the Wilkinson Sword Company's gun registers indicate both of these revolvers as being brought in from the manufacturer Webley on September 9th, 1886, and sold to Harvey Darrel Esq. Includes a scanned clipping out of "The Morning Post " of London newspaper dated March 10, 1856 in which the Queen appoints a John Harvey Darrel, Esq. as Chief Justice of Bermuda, and two included scanned 1887 and 1888 dated "London Gazette" newspaper Army lists that show a John Harvey Darrell, Second Lieutenant, Leicestershire Regiment of the South Wales Borderers. Cased with and consecutively serial numbered to B gun in this lot.

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Caliber / Gauge: 476 CF

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Very Scarce Union Fire Arms Automatic Revolver in Nickel

Union Fire Arms Automatic Revolver in Nickel

Manufactured around 1909-1912, the Union Automatic Revolver bears a strong mechanical resemblance to the Webley-Fosbury Automatic to the point where the base principles are virtually identical: a top-break revolver frame is mounted in a spring-loaded housing and grip assembly, and on discharge, the frame is driven backwards by recoil, revolving the cylinder and re-cocking the hammer. The main deviations are that the hammer is mounted to the housing on the Union and no manual safety is included. Only a limited number (less than 300 by some sources) were made, and much like the Webley-Fosbury it had a hard time competing with standard revolvers and automatic pistols. Fixed sights, with a repeating "40" on several components and the address on the right side of the housing. Fitted with a pair of checkered grips. Provenance: The Clive Cussler Collection

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Caliber / Gauge: 32 S&W

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Factory Panel Scene Engraved Merwin, Hulbert & Co. Pocket Army Single Action Revolver

Factory Engraved Merwin Hulbert & Co. Pocket Army Revolver

Manufactured circa 1876 into the 1880s, this Merwin, Hulbert & Co. Pocket Army single action revolver features a round barrel, fluted cylinder and bird's head butt. The revolver is profusely engraved with the distinctive Merwin, Hulbert & Co. style with a round panel on the left side of the frame which features a dog head. The left side of the frame under the cylinder is marked "CALIBRE/WINCHESTER" followed by "1873" and the right side of the frame is marked "MERWIN, HULBERT & CO. N.Y./POCKET ARMY". The left side of the barrel has the two-line Hopkins & Allen address/patent date marking. The barrel, frame sides, cylinder flats, and top of the back strap feature a fine floral/floral vine and punch dot engraving. The left rear of the frame has a geometric design. A simple punch dot scroll pattern is engraved on the sliding loading gate. The serial number is stamped on the right of the grip frame. The left of the grip frame, rear face of the cylinder, back of the barrel lug, and the cylinder pin have the assembly number "3023". It is fitted with a pair of smooth grips, both numbered "43".

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Caliber / Gauge: 44-40 WCF

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Historic and Magnificent Cased and Engraved Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Presented to the Commander of the Light Brigade -A) Colt Model 1851 Navy

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Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Presented by Colt to Lord Cardigan

This cased pair of factory engraved Colt Model 1851 London Navy Revolvers (serial no. 19089 and no. 19092) was presented by Samuel Colt to career British officer James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan (1797-1868). During the Crimean War, Lord Cardigan was a major general and commanded the British Light Brigade in the Sebastopol Campaign. On October 25, 1854, during the Battle of Balaclava, Lord Cardigan famously led approximately 670 troopers from the 4th and 13th Light Dragoons, 17th Lancers, and the 8th and 11th Hussars in the famous Charge of the Light Brigade. They were armed with lances and sabers and were supposed to have been directed against redoubts already being overrun to prevent the Russians from withdrawing guns but were instead relayed an incorrect order by Captain Louis E. Nolan that sent the brigade into a suicidal charge under fire from Russian artillery and small arms against a fortified and well-defended Russian battery. At the end of the 20 minute encounter, the Light Brigade had suffered 110 killed, another 130 wounded (some mortally), and around 30 captured. Captain Nolan was one of the first to die in the charge. They also lost 335 horses. During the charge, Cardigan was at the front, engaged with the Russians in hand-to-hand combat, and then returned back up the valley alone and emerged remarkably unscathed. In his recollections of the battle, he stated they “advanced down a gradual descent of more than three-quarters of a mile, with the batteries vomiting forth upon us shells and shot, round and grape, with one battery on our right flank and another on the left, and all the intermediate ground covered with the Russian riflemen; so that when we came to within a distance of fifty yards from the mouths of the artillery which had been hurling destruction upon us, we were, in fact, surrounded and encircled by a blaze of fire, in addition to the fire of the riflemen upon our flanks.” Once the survivors reached the Russian battery, they were able to kill or drive back many of the artillerymen and silence the guns temporarily. They forced their way through “the mass of Russian cavalry of – as we have since learned – 5,240 strong; and having broken through that mass” and then were force to fight their way back through in retreat and were again under murderous fire from the enemy artillery and riflemen. The Light Brigade were heralded as heroes, and their actions used to symbolize the immense courage of the British cavalry and more broadly the Royal Army. Cardigan left for England in December and was invited to tell Queen Victoria his account of the battle. He became an instant celebrity telling tales of the events (some fantastical), and the famous “cardigan” sweater was named for him. In 1859, he became the colonel of the 5th Dragoon Guards and was retired as a lieutenant-general in 1860 as the colonel the 11th Hussars, his first command from 1836. His final act as a military officer was reviewing the 11th before they embarked for India in 1866. These revolvers are some of the best known and documented of all the Samuel Colt presentation pieces and are some of the most historic of all Colt presentation revolvers. This casing has been illustrated and described in numerous publications including: "Samuel Colt Presents", "The Book of Colt Engraving" and "Steel Canvas" by R.L Wilson and the "Antique Arms Annual” from 1971. The 2nd Model London Navy Revolvers were manufactured in 1855 and are engraved in script on the back straps: "Presented to/The Earl of Cardigan/by the Inventor" in three lines. The revolvers have blued barrels and cylinders, casehardened frames, loading levers and hammers and steel silver-plated trigger guards and back straps. The one-piece, deluxe walnut grips have a high polish 'piano' finish. The revolvers are embellished with delicate British vine style scroll engraving on the barrels, loading lever flats, frames, trigger guards and back straps. The tops of the hammers are decorated with a fish motif. The cylinders are roll-engraved with the standard Texas Navy battle scene. The top of each barrel is roll-stamped: "-ADDRESS COL. COLT. LONDON -" in a panel with engraved borders. "COLTS PATENT" is engraved in Old English letters in a ribbons on the left side of each frame. The full serial number is located on the loading lever, barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap and cylinder of each revolver. All of the visible serial numbers on both revolvers match. A punch-mark below the serial number on the barrel, frame, trigger guard and back strap indicates that the revolvers were designated for special finish and engraving. London proof and view marks are stamped on the left side of each barrel lug and over alternate chambers on each cylinder. The revolvers have a brass bound English style oak case with green felt lining and ten compartments. The case lid is inlaid with the circular, folding brass handles surrounding a round brass plate engraved with an earl’s coronet for Lord Cardigan. Three of the interior compartments have brass handles. The case contains: a steel cleaning rod with blued ball handle, two lacquered Eley cap tins with green paper labels, two blued nipple wrench/screwdriver combination tools, two double cavity bullet molds marked: "COLTS/PATENT" on the sprue cutters (one silver plated), spare parts including a mainspring and percussion nipples, and a "COLTS NAVY FLASK" from "JAMES DIXON/& SONS/SHEFFELD” with a brown lacquer body, gold-plated brass top and adjustable spout and niter blue spring.

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Caliber / Gauge: 36 percussion

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Documented NRA Silver Medal Award Winning Cased Pair of L.D. Nimschke New York Engraved and New Orleans Retailer Presentation Inscribed Colt Model 1861 Navy Percussion Revolvers with Relief Carved Mexican Eagle Grip and Accessories, Formerly of the Famed William Locke Collection -A) Colt Model 1861 Navy Revolver

Lot Contains 2 Items

Engraved Pair of Colt Model 1861 Navy Revolvers

Each revolver was manufactured in 1864 and feature a L.D. Nimschke New York engraving with slight differences in the patterns. “A” has a more elaborate shell pattern on top of the back strap. “B” has “COLTS/PATENT” in a banner on the left side of the frame and cross hatching on the loading lever. The engraving on “A” obscures the “COLTS/PATENT” frame marking. Otherwise, the engraving consists of Nimschke’s signature foliate arabesque patterns. The barrels are fitted with German silver front sights and are marked with the one-line New York address. The cylinders feature the scrollwork instead of the standard factory roll-stamped naval scene and are marked “COLTS PATENT” followed by the respective partial serial numbers. The hammers are engraved with a wolf’s head on both sides of the noses and fish scales on the sides of the spurs. Both revolvers are wearing checkered grips with a fabulous, highly detailed Mexican eagle in an oval panel. Each front strap is inscribed, “From/Dart & Watkinson/New Orleans.” Matching full or partial serial numbers appear on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, and arbor pin. Interestingly, the revolvers are exactly 100 serial numbers away from each other. “A” is no. 20322, and “B” is no. 20422. The French fitted rosewood case features a two-tone burgundy and green velvet lining and contains a “COLTS/PATENT marked single face trophy of flags and arms silver plated powder flask, silver plated steel bullet mold marked “COLT’S/PATENT” on the sprue cutter and “36B” on the right side, silver plated “L” shaped combination tool, three sealed packages of D.C. Sage cartridges, lead rounds, pewter oiler, hickory cleaning rod with silver plated hardware, and tin of Goldmark’s caps. The exterior of the lid is inlaid with a large silver shield inscribed with the initials “TAS.” Dart & Watkinson was a period New Orleans dealer located on 55 St. St. Charles Street. This set certainly would have made for a fine presentation piece for a Mexican politician or military officer. Leaving aside the obvious Mexican connections with the relief grip carving, there is the engraving on the cylinder which removed the scene of the Naval Battle of Campeche. This naval battle reflected an earlier period of disunity in Mexico and intervention by the Republic of Texas. With the end of the Civil War, President Johnson pressured the Napoleon III to back down and unofficially armed the Mexican republicans against Maximilian and the foreign supported Mexican imperial forces. With the withdrawal of French forces, Maximilian was left scrambling to hold power and issued increasingly brutal orders, including a decree calling for the execution of any member of an armed band in a futile attempt to end resistance to his rule. He was captured and executed himself by firing squad on June 19, 1867. The set would have certainly been a fitting presentation piece for a leader of the "Restored Republic" in 1867-1876. This set was awarded the "10 Best" Silver Medal Arms Award, "one of a maximum of ten certificates awarded each year to arms of outstanding historical value, or beauty, or rarity, selected from displays of the NRA's Affiliated Gun Collector Organizations." The silver medal was No. 110. This set was also formerly of the famed William M. Locke collection. See page 151. The pair is also featured on page 208 R.L. Wilson’s “Samuel Colt Presents” as item 131 and on page 78 in John Hamilton’s “Colt’s History and Heroes.”

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Caliber / Gauge: 36

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Historic Factory Engraved Antique Black Powder Colt Single Action Army Revolver Documented as Purchased by The Dalton Gang with Pearl Grips and Factory Letter

Engraved Antique Black Powder Colt Single Action Army Revolver

Rock Island Auction Company is pleased to offer this historic factory engraved Colt Single Action purchased in a special order of 10 by the Dalton Gang for use at the famed Coffeyville, Kansas double bank robbery. Accompanied by a letter from world famous author and Colt firearms expert R.L. Wilson in which he writes "documentation on outlaw or lawmen Colts from the 19th Century are rarely as specific or comprehensive as proven in the present documenting letter. Historians, collectors and students of firearms and the American West can look upon the historic set of 10 Colt Single Action Army revolvers sent from the factory to the attention of one 'A.E. Williams' as participants in one of the most famous bank robberies in American history-carried out by the bold and daring Dalton Gang." Further he states "it is entirely possible that with additional research the identity can be established of which member of the Dalton Gang carried this revolver, serial number 147311 as one of his pair of deluxe Colt Single Actions that fateful day. Whether it was Emmett or Grat Dalton, or Dick Broadwell or Bill Power- one can be certain that it was one of these four. Manufactured in 1892. This factory engraved Colt Single Action Army revolver is directly attributed to the famous Dalton Gang and was one of 10 the gang purchased shortly before their last criminal endeavor, the famous "Coffeyville Raid" in which the gang planned to rob two banks at the same time in the Dalton's hometown of Coffeyville, Kansas. The ten were shipped on August 18, 1892, sold to a A.E. Williams and shipped to Simmons Hardware in St. Louis, Missouri. It is known that serial number 147,305 was at the Gene Autry Museum and authenticated as one of the ten shipped, and believed to have belonged to Emmett Dalton, serial number 147,307, had been on loan since 1960 in a Museum in Coffeyville, Kansas also in the shipment. All 10 were factory engraved, 5 1/2 inch barrel, 45 caliber, blue finished and pearl gripped. Much information comes from an article in the June 1995 "The Gun Report" written by Bill Gerber who had obtained serial number 147,306 which he learned was also in the August 18, 1892 shipment of 10 revolvers. Gerber did a great amount of research into these revolvers. Several revolvers in the order were consecutively serial numbered. Knowing that Colt did not engrave a bunch of consecutively serial numbered guns and ship them to various dealers lends credence to the shipment as being a special order. Also with a short time for the gang to get the guns it is logical to think it was planned. One can conclude that since the guns were sold to an individual and not a wholesaler that it was no accident that the guns ended up in the hands of the Dalton gang. Very few outlaws in the day were known to carry fancy gripped engraved revolvers let alone a pair (10 guns, 5 gang members). It was risky business in those days to stock 10 factory engraved, pearl gripped revolvers for sale to the general public, which would probably mean that A.E. Williams had a specific buyer in mind. Williams may have even been an alias or possibly an agent for the Daltons. The shipment date didn't leave the gang much lead time on the Coffeyville Raid, however it is interesting to note that Bob's rifle was shipped from the Winchester factory on August 27, 9 days later than the Colt shipment and only 39 days ahead of the raid and the rifle has been pictured with the bodies of the 4 gang members killed that day. There are also documents showing the sale of the Dalton's property and among the items listed are Colt revolvers. Interesting enough Grat, Emmett and Bob Dalton served on the right side of the law prior to becoming criminals, serving as Deputy Marshalls. Emmett worked as a member of some of his brothers posses, but for the most part he earned a living as a cowboy on the Bar X Bar Ranch near the Pawnee Agency. Working there he met two of the gang's future members and met future gang members working at nearby ranches. The gang made a living from robbing trains before planning the famous "Coffeyville Raid" which proved to be the gang's Waterloo. Around 9:30 am five members of the Dalton Gang (Grat, Emmett, and Bob Dalton, Bill Power and Dick Broadwell) rode into Coffeyville, Kansas with the plan of making outlaw history by robbing two banks at the same time. The plan was doomed from the beginning, the hitching post where they intended to tie the horses had been torn down because of road work and they were forced to tie the horses in a nearby alley, which proved to be a fatal mistake. Since Coffeyville was the Dalton's home town two of the Dalton's wore fake beards and wigs to disguise their identity, however they were immediately recognized by townspeople as they crossed the town plaza and split up to enter the First National Bank and The C.M. Condon Bank. People also watched from the front windows of the banks and saw the gang pulling their guns. Someone on the street hollered "The bank is being robbed" and citizens quickly armed themselves and began taking up firing positions. The ensuing gun battle lasted less than 15 minutes and when the smoke settled 4 citizens lay dead, three gang members were dead in the alley, Grat and Bob Dalton and Bill Power, Dick Broadway was found dead along the road about a half mile out of town and Emmett was captured. The alley where they tied the horses became known as "Alley of Death" and the event made the small town of Coffeyville, Kansas forever famous. Emmett Dalton was sent to prison, was paroled in 1907 and died in 1937. The revolver is decorated with floral scroll and punch dot engraving on the barrel and frame. A scallop and dot design border the one line address on top of the barrel and the "45 Colt" on the left side is in a banner. The sides of the top strap are decorated with a wavy zigzag line and dot design, a shell design is on the recoil shield and loading gate, simple line and dot designs on the back strap, rear edge of the cylinder and trigger guard, and geometric designs adorn the cylinder flats between the flutes. The left side of the frame is marked with the two line, three patent dates followed by the circled Rampant Colt and the matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The revolver is fitted with smooth two-piece pearl grips. The accompanying factory letter verifies the caliber, barrel length, blue finish, factory engraving with grips as "Not Listed" and that it was sold to A.E. Williams as 1 of 10 and shipped to Simmons Hardware Company, St. Louis, Missouri on August 10, 1892. After reading the facts, this is undoubtedly one of the Colt Single Action Army revolvers purchased by the Daltons and was in one of the gang's holsters the day of the famous "Coffeyville Raid". Provenance: The Gateway Collection

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Caliber / Gauge: 45 Long Colt

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Very Fine Colt Model 1878 Frontier Six Shooter Double Action Revolver with Attractive Relief Carved Eagle Pearl Grips

Colt Model 1878 Frontier Six Shooter Double Action Revolver

Manufactured in 1898 with the standard one-line address on top of the barrel and the "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER" marking on the left. Circled Rampant Colt on the left of the frame and the serial number on the butt. Standard features including the lanyard ring on the butt and fitted with a pair of period installed smooth pearl grips with a relief carved eagle on the right panel.

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Caliber / Gauge: 44-40 WCF

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Very Fine Cased Colt Model 1877 Lightning Double Action Revolver

Cased Colt Model 1877 Lightning Double Action Revolver

Manufactured in 1903 with two-line barrel address on top, caliber marking on the left of the barrel, three-line patent dates and Rampant Colt on the left of the frame, and matching serial numbers throughout. Blade front and frame notch rear sights and fitted with a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the tops. Includes a hardwood case with interior label marked with the Colt Pall Mall address, turnscrew, cleaning rod, Dixon & Sons oiler and a cartridge block containing 12 .38 Long cartridges.

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Caliber / Gauge: 38 Long Colt

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Colt First Generation Bisley Model Single Action Army Revolver Converted to .22 R.F. with Case

Colt First Generation Bisley Model Single Action Army Revolver

Originally manufactured in 1901 and subsequently professionally converted to .22 R.F. The barrel is marked with the standard two-line Colt address on top and the "(BISLEY MODEL)" and "22 R.F." caliber markings on the left, and otherwise standard markings. The cylinder has been professionally lined and a plate added at the rear to accommodate the new cartridge. The front sight blade has been ground lower and it is fitted with a pair of slightly ill-fitting smooth grips with a blank escutcheon on the left panel. Includes a leatherette wrapped hard case.

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Caliber / Gauge: 22 RF

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Documented NRA Silver Medal Award Winning Cased Pair of Master Shot of the World Ira Paine Ordered and Shipped Consecutively Serialized, Gustave Young Factory Exhibition Quality Engraved Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Frontier Target Revolvers Once Owned by Famed Marksman and Olympian Walter Winans -A) Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Frontier Target Revolver

Pair of Young Engraved S&W New Model No. 3 Frontier Revolvers

Rock Island Auction Company is extremely pleased to offer this incredibly rare consecutively serialized special order pair of factory engraved New Model No. 3 Frontier revolvers owned by two of the most renowned 19th century target shooters, Ira Paine and Walter Winans. At the 140th NRA Annual Meetings in St. Louis, Missouri, April 13 - 15, 2012, gun "B" was awarded the "10 Best" Silver Medal Arms Award, "one of a maximum of ten certificates awarded each year to arms of outstanding historical value, or beauty, or rarity, selected from displays of the NRA's Affiliated Gun Collector Organizations." The silver medal was No. 501. It would not be until several years later that both guns were brought back together to be a set as originally intended. Gun “B” was the subject of two articles written by Dale H. Peterson which appeared in the January 2006 and January 2007 issues of the Minnesota Weapons Collectors Association official publication. Both MWCA publications are included. Manufactured within their own serial number range (1- 2072) from 1885-1908 the rare Frontier Model remains a favorite among S&W collectors. The accompanying factory letters state that serial numbers 1653 and 1654 were special ordered as a pair of New Model No. 3 Frontier Target revolvers for exhibition shooter Ira Paine, Providence, Rhode Island, and shipped on February 17, 1887. The letter confirms the 6 ½ inch barrels in both .44-40 WCF and .44 Russian, factory engraving by Gustave Young, blue finish and “checkered pearl grips” (likely a recording error as both guns are wearing the obviously original smooth pearl grips). The letter indicates that the guns left the factory with a post mounted fixed rear target sight which is detached from gun "B" but included. Gun “A” has a “U” notched rear target sight. The revolvers feature Young’s tight and beautifully executed scroll pattern on a fine punch dot background. Each barrel rib has the two-line legend ending with the reissue patent date. British proofs appear only on gun “A.” While both guns wear smooth pearl grips, an inscription is featured at the top of the left panel on gun “B.” This inscription reads, “[illegible] FELTON/CHICAGO.” The “A” gun has matching serial numbers on the butt, cylinder and barrel, while the barrel latch has the number “198.” The “B” gun has matching serial numbers on the butt, cylinder, barrel and barrel latch. As confirmed by the factory letter as well as listed by serial numbers in the "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" (p. 108), this set was originally shipped to renowned target shooter Ira Paine. Known as "King of the Pistol" and "Master Shot of the World," Paine was born in 1841 in Providence, RI. After high school he joined a successful quartet, which gained him a considerable reputation. As good as he was on stage, he was an even better exhibition shooter. He may have been the world's finest all around shot during his 25 years as a shooting entertainer. Some of his most chronicled feats involved his public challenges with Captain Adam Bogardus, the legendary late 19th century shotgun shooter. Although Paine lost most of the live pigeon shoots, it was never by more than two birds, and whenever the two faced off, the prize money was usually $1,000, a fortune at the time. With a dueling pistol he could regularly cut his business card in half from 30 feet when put on its edge. He also used rifles and shotguns with the same accuracy and dexterity. As Stan Nelson wrote for the MWCA, “His expert performances with the .44 Smith & Wesson were such that some competitors accused him of trickery, and made efforts to expose him; his only trickery seems to have been his constant practice.” By America's 1876 Centennial Paine became so popular that he took his show to Europe where he entertained kings, czars, prime ministers and other famous people. The glass ball target was originally invented by Paine and were used as substitutes for the live pigeons during most of his shooting exhibitions, circa 1876 to 1886. Paine stuffed many of the glass targets with feathers and when squarely hit would blow feathers in a three foot diameter, which crowds never seemed to get enough of. Paine died in 1889 at the age of 48 in Paris, France, while on tour. After Paine’s death this set was purchased by legendary target shooter, Walter Winans along with many of his other target handguns. The accompanying leather bound partitioned features Walter Winans personal paper label on the interior of the lid and his “WW” initials branded on the exterior of the lid. The case contains two empty cartridge blocks, a case key and a two-piece cleaning rod along with a James Purdey & Sons, London retailer label positioned below Winans’ personal label on the interior of the lid. One of the most famous and highly esteemed handgun shooters of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Winans was a three time Olympic medalist winning the gold in running deer shooting in 1908 (double shot) and the silver in 1912 (team). He also won a gold medal in 1912 for his sculpture "An American Trotter". He is the only American to win medals in shooting and art.

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Caliber / Gauge: 44 S&W Russian, 44-40 WCF

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Famed Marksman and Olympian Walter Winans Shipped, Inscribed Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Target Single Action Revolver with Documented Ornate Japanese Panel Scene Inlaid Grips Commissioned by Winans

Walter Winans Shipped Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Revolver

The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver with the 6 ½ inch barrel in .44 Russian, blue finish and checkered wood grips when shipped on October 9, 1895 and delivered to famed marksman and Olympian Walter Winans, London, England. The revolver in the next lot was also part of this October 9, 1895 dated shipment delivered to Winans. According to the letter, the shipment contained 4 units. The Standard Catalog (page 103) confirms that Winans received 22 of New Model No. 3 revolvers. British proofs appear on the barrel, each cylinder flute and frame. The barrel rib has the two-line legend ending with the reissue patent date. “ANY RAPID 1896” is engraved on the back strap. The back strap inscription likely references a series of rapid fire matches. In Winans own words, "I won all my rapid-firing revolver competitions using the single action and cocking with the thumb, as this rested my trigger finger." In 1896 Winans was actively involved in numerous shooting competitions. At a single competition in England, for instance, he won the first prize in the first, second and third series of revolver matches. As reported in the 25 October 1896 issue of “The Tennessee,” in the year 1896 Winans “not only equaled but beaten some of his previous records”. “The Chicago Chronicle” put it best when it opined, “The finest revolver shot in the world, so far as gallery practice is concerned, is probably Walter Winans, whose records at the galleries in London in off-hand shooting with heavy caliber revolvers has never been authentically beaten” (21 June 1896). The grips are inlaid with highly ornate, highly impressive Japanese scenes in gold and stones done by a true master craftsman. These grips are discussed in Winans' book "The Art of Revolver Shooting" on page 22. In Winans' own words, "I also have a very artistic pair of revolver 'stock plates,' which I had made of ivory and sent to Japan to be inlaid with gold and coloured stones. I left the design to the native artist, and he put a Japanese hawking scene on one, and on the other a picture of duck shooting with bow and arrow." Matching serial numbers are on the butt, cylinder and barrel. The barrel latch is unnumbered. Winans was a three time Olympic medalist winning the gold in running deer shooting in 1908 (double shot) and the silver in 1912 (team). He also won a gold medal in 1912 for his sculpture "An American Trotter". He is the only American to win a medals in shooting and art. His Olympic career was not without controversy. At the 1908 Olympics, Winans' eligibility as an American competitor was questioned because he had never set foot in the United States. Winans was born to American parents in St. Petersburg, Russia where he lived for the first 18 years of his life. Before taking up residence in England, Winans took the oath of allegiance at the U.S. Embassy. He did not visit the U.S. until he was 58 years old. To compete at the Olympic Games, Winans was required to swear his allegiance to the U.S. Consul General. One of the most famous and highly esteemed handgun shooters of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection

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Caliber / Gauge: 44 S&W Russian

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Cased Pair of New York Engraved Smith & Wesson Model Number 1 Third Issue Single Action Revolvers -A) Smith & Wesson Model Number 1 Revolver with Pearl Grips

Lot Contains 2 Items

Pair of Engraved Smith & Wesson Model No. 1 3rd Issue Revolvers

Both manufactured between 1868 and 1881. 75% coverage New York style floral scroll engraving on a punch dot background with starburst and line design on back strap. Matching assembly marks on the barrel, cylinder, and grip frame. Includes a period leather bound case fitted for both guns and a partial box of .22 RF Short cartridges.

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Caliber / Gauge: 22 RF Short

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Cased Engraved Collins Bar Hammer Pepperbox Pistol with Accessories

Cased Engraved Collins Bar Hammer Pepperbox Pistol

This pepperbox has "COLLINS MAKER" on the back strap, English proofmarks between the chambers and scrollwork, and border engraving on the various components. The gun is casehardened with some fire blued and blued small components. It is fitted with a pair of finely checkered grips and has a cap compartment in the butt with multiple lead balls. One chamber has a notch and some crowning at the muzzle. It comes in a hardwood case with a modern "Eugene Collins/18 De Corcy Square/DUBLIN" label with a Collins coat of arms, a very small powder flask, Eley London marked cap tin, patches and wadding, several lead balls, screwdriver, nipple wrench, bore rod, and ball mold. The pepperbox is very similar to a pepperbox in the Museum Victoria's collection identified as manufactured circa 1845 by Collins of Birmingham. No record of Eugene Collins was found in available Dublin directories.

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Caliber / Gauge: 35

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Cased Pair of Consecutively Serialized Bryson Gwinnell Master Factory Engraved and Gold Inlaid Colt Third Generation Single Action Army Revolvers with Factory Letter -A) Colt Single Action Army Revolver

Lot Contains 2 Items

Two Factory Embellished Colt 3rd Generation Colt SAA Revolvers

The accompanying factory letter confirms both revolvers as being chambered in .44/40 with 7 1/2 inch barrels, full royal blue finish, grip material, Fleur-de-lis grip checkering, Type "C" factory engraving done by Master Engraver Bryson Gwinnell when shipped with the included double walnut French fitted presentation case to Sile Distributors, Inc. in Meriden, Connecticut on May 24, 1985. The remarks of the letter mentions the gold inlaid band at front and rear of the barrels as well as the rear of the cylinders. "BJ GWINNLL COLT ENGR" signed on both "A" and "B" grip frames. Includes original Colt "woodgrain" boxes for each gun.

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Caliber / Gauge: 44-40 WCF, 44-40

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Cased Pair of Consecutively Numbered Dennis Kies Signed Factory Master Engraved Colt Third Generation Single Action Army Revolvers with Bird's Head Grips, Boxes, and Factory Letters -A) Colt Third Generation Single Action Army

Lot Contains 2 Items

Two Consecutive Engraved Colt 3rd Generation SAA Revolvers

The accompanying factory letters list these revolvers as being chambered in .44-40 with 4 3/4 inch barrels, blue finish and case colors, bird's head grips, and Class "B" engraving by Master Engraver Dennis Kies when shipped to D/B/A Bangers Distributors in Birmingham, Alabama on April 2, 1992. "A" grip frame marked "KIES". "B" grip frame marked "DK". Includes Colt double gun display case and the original box for each gun featuring end labels confirming grip material.

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Caliber / Gauge: 44-40 WCF

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Matched Cased Pair of British Proofed Colt Model 1860 Army United States Cavalry Commemorative Percussion Revolvers -A) Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver

Lot Contains 2 Items

Pair of Colt Model 1860 Army U.S. Cavalry Commemorative Revolver

British Proofs on the bottom of the barrel and front cylinder face, otherwise standard markings and features. With presentation case, shoulder stock numbered to the "A" gun, powder flask, nipple wrench, bullet mold, and cap tin. In case with the "B" gun.

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Caliber / Gauge: 44

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