April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/25/2019
This is a beautiful Texas-shipped long flute Colt that was belonging to Montana sheriff Woodrow Traver. This revolver was presented to Traver by D.J. Leeper, Sheriff of Great Falls, Montana. Factory letter lists serial number 331331 as having been shipped as a blued, 4-3/4", .45 caliber, stocks not listed, with special features of a double action cylinder of long flute configuration, shipped to Cullum & Boren Co., Dallas, Texas on March 10th, 1915 in a two gun shipment. At some point, the gun was probably dealer-Texas engraved in a floral pattern with punch dot background, two-thirds coverage with gold washed hammer, trigger and cylinder; balance silver plated and fitted with two piece ivory grips. Engraved on the backstrap "WOODROW TRAVER CASCADE CO MONT" and "DJL" engraved on base. The barrel is stamped ".41 COLT". We do not know if the barrel was changed at time of engraving or if this was simply a factory letter error because it does have the special order long flute .41 caliber cylinder listed in letter; since the original cylinder is .41 caliber, it is our estimation that the factory made an error on the letter. Has all matching numbers. CONDITION: Revolver retains the majority of its silver plating. There is traces of gold wash on cylinder but it is basically silver at this point. 50% gold wash on hammer and traces on trigger. Lovely aged ivory grips with no chips or major cracks. All four Colt clicks lock up like a vault. Strong rifled bore with light frosting. The leather wallet that holds the "Sheriff's Posse Cascade County, Mont" has a deputy sheriff ID card that reads "This is to certify that Woodrow Traver has been appointed deputy sheriff of Cascade County, Great Falls, Montana Sheriff's Posse" and is signed "D.J. Leeper, Sheriff", and also comes with a 2" photograph that is written on back "Woodrow Traver, Deputy 1928". This is an extremely handsome, Texas-shipped revolver with Montana history.
Accessories
Montana Sherrif