Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout us
Log InCreate Account
Rock Island Auction CompanyRock Island Auction Company
Contact us
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
Locations
Bedford, TX
3600 Harwood RoadBedford, Texas 76021, USA
Rock Island, IL
7819 42nd Street WestRock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
Hours
Monday - Friday8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Navigation
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout usAccount
More Info
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyJob postings & CareersOrder a catalogContact
Social media
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
Disconnected
Unable to connect to live update server, attempting reconnection. If this persists, please try refreshing your browser.
Disconnected state indicated by at top of page. If you cannot see this icon, you are connected.
Rock Island Auction Company
Hello.
Please Log In, or .

Home
Auctions
Consignment
Latest
FAQ
About us

Please use the print button in the share bar at the top of the page.
  • /Latest News & Events...
  • /A Colt from “The Hateful Eight”

A Colt from “The Hateful Eight”

By: Joel R KolanderPublished in RIAC Latest · 2 min read · August 4, 2017
  • /Latest News & Events...
  • /A Colt from “The Hateful Eight”

A Colt from “The Hateful Eight”

By: Joel R KolanderPublished in RIAC Latest · 2 min read · August 4, 2017

If you haven’t seen Quentin Tarentino’s The Hateful Eight, go see it right after you finish reading this article.

The Hateful Eight is an intensely suspenseful post-Civil War story of eight travelers seeking shelter from a blizzard in the same stagecoach stopover. The tension is broken occasionally by fantastic characters, clever dialogue, ruthless double-crosses, and in classic Tarentino style, graphic violence. Stylistically beautiful and winning numerous awards for its score, Hateful Eight is filled with mystery, revenge, and dialogue. Lots of dialogue. Even if the movie was not the critics’ darling, it’s hard to dislike the film even if you don’t know who the heck you’re supposed to be rooting for.

Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more gun videos.

One of the actors in this film is Samuel L. Jackson, a mainstay in numerous Tarentino pictures. During filming in early 2015, Jackson commissioned ten special revolvers to give on the set as gifts to the other leader actors. One could assume that Jackson made one of the 10 for himself, but that is unknown for certain. One of those Colt 3rd Generation Single Action Army revolvers was given to his co-star Bruce Dern, who plays General Sanford “Sandy” Smithers (a.k.a. Sandy “Don’t Give A Damn” Smithers) in the film – a Confederate General with a nasty penchant of not taking black Union prisoners.

We won’t give any spoilers, but let’s just say that Samuel L. Jackson’s character, the Union Major Marquis Warren, and General Smithers don’t see eye to eye.

The Gun

The 3rd Generation Colt Single Action Army given by Jackson isn’t just any Single Action Army (SAA). These were specially commissioned by Jackson, with 5 1/2-inch barrels, case-hardened frames, “C” scroll engraving, and a large “The H8FUL EIGHT” engraved on the right side of the barrel. The name of the engraver is not listed on the letter, but they were shipped to Martin B. Retting, Inc, one of the largest firearms stores in California on April 8, 2015. “The Hateful Eight” would release in theaters on Christmas that same year, with numerous characters utilizing similar Colt SAA revolvers throughout the film.

Bruce Dern

Besides playing “The Confederate” in Tarentino’s most recent film to date, Dern has a long-spanning career in film including two Oscar nods for best Supporting Actor as well as other awards and nominations too numerous to list here. Perhaps most known to a younger crowd, he is the father of Laura Dern, who played Dr. Ellie Sattler in Jurassic Park. This revolver is unquestionably Dern’s gun as it comes with a signed letter of provenance from Dern and a picture of him holding the revolver.

When guns come out of famous movies, people tend to pay a whole lot of attention. Even rubber castings and dummy prop guns used in movies can go for thousands of dollars. So when a gorgeous SAA like this is documented to bonafied movie star Samuel L. Jackson, from a movie genre that gun collectors are likely to appreciate, the price should make for one happy consignor. And if you like this, just wait until you see what else is in this fun collection.

To search all the collector firearms in this auction, please visit www.rockislandauction.com

Comments

Please login to post a comment.

View All Posts
Stay InformedLatest NewsFind pieces on your favorite rare and historic models, exclusive auction highlights, collecting tips and more.
Blog
OGCA: Colt's Path to the 1911
In April, the Ohio Gun Collectors Association (OGCA) displayed a historic "Colt's Path to the 1911" exhibit at the NRA's April 24-27 Annual Meeting in...
July 2, 2025
Blog
M1911A1: Tales of Two WW2 Airmen
The weather was warmer over the South Pacific so there were no prescribed uniforms when crews climbed into their B-17. Short sleeves one day, lightweight...
July 2, 2025
Blog
Steve McQueen's Mare's Leg
The 1958 CBS Western series 'Wanted: Dead or Alive' is celebrated for two defining elements: Steve McQueen and his distinctive Mare's Leg. The original...
June 30, 2025
Blog
Summer's Most Prestigious Gun Auction
Rock Island Auction Company’s August Premier offers guns of Hollywood legends, historic presentation pieces,  battle-worn sidearms and beautifully embellished...
June 26, 2025