The included letter addressed to Bill Isaacs of Ely, Nevada, indicates this rifle belonged to a miner named George, the letter's author, who "won it in a card game in the spring of 1907 in Stingaree Gulch near Rawhide, Nevada." An included receipt from Ron Peterson Antiques, Inc. to John Fox confirms that George's full identity was lost sometime before the 1988 but also confirms that Bill Isaacs and his son were known. George had his lucky carbine stolen from him that summer or fall and then his luck went bad, but it was recovered by a deputy, he believes it was Bill Inman, after a shootout in the Red Light District in Goldfield a couple of weeks later and his luck returned and he struck some ore. He then gave the gun to Diamondfield Jack, a western character who had previously nearly been hung for murdering shepherds in the 1890s even though two other men had confessed to the crime because Jack had been bragging about shooting up the sheep herders the cattlemen loathed. After finally getting pardoned in 1902, Diamondfield Jack became rich in the mines of Nevada and was later struck and killed by a taxi in Las Vegas in 1949. George leased some land from Jack. The gun was stolen from Jack a week or so later, but it was again recovered in November 1907 from an I.W.W. member. He also notes that "Diamondfield Jack shot a couple of highgraders with the old gun you have, and I bought it back after a year or so, and took it along to Rochester with me in 1912." It was then stolen again and recovered from a "tramp miner." His brother, a deputy, then talked him into giving him the carbine, and George got it back when his brother was shot and killed after World War I and notes that he then took it with him and had it with him while he was mining at "Cherry Creek, Austin, Eureka, Pioche," and Hamilton. Many of these mining towns have such been deserted, but this carbine is a lasting relic from their history. The accompanying factory letter lists this carbine with a 20 inch barrel in .38 caliber, blue finish and "wood" stock when shipped to Harley & Graham of New York City on November 4, 1890. The carbine has the standard integral front sight and notch and folding ladder rear sight, the two-line address and patent marking ahead of the latter, filled saddle ring staple holes on the left, the serial number on the lower tang, and a checkered stock and forearm.

Very good with honest wear from use in the mines of the West with 30% blue finish remaining, plum tone on most of the frame, smooth dark patina on the balance, some patches mild oxidation and pitting, small chips at the upper corners of the wrist, crisp markings and checkering, and general minor marks and scratches. Mechanically excellent. This trusty western used carbine was depended on by multiple miners as well as some criminals in the West from the 1890s and into the 20th century and remains in serviceable condition and could be counted on for many more years to come. Manufactured in 1891 and won in a card game in 1907, who knows what other tales it could tell in addition to those already recorded by its former owner. Provenance: The John Fox Collection.