October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
Colt Factory research letter on this revolver states that serial number 133673 was shipped July 3rd, 1890 to Hartley & Graham in New York, in caliber .45, 4-3/4" barrel, stocks not listed which would usually indicate standard hard rubber. The name "Wyatt Earp" needs no introduction. There have been more books and movies made of Wyatt Earp than any other personage of the Wild West, more recently the movie "Tombstone" starring Kurt Russell was one of the most popular Western movies of all time, telling the story of Earp in Dodge City with his brothers taking on the McLaury's and the Clanton's in the most famous Western gunfight of all time. With his companion Josephine Marcus, he moved to California where he ran saloons and gambled prior to his Nome, Alaska adventure in 1899. When he returned from Alaska he lived the reminder of his life in Los Angeles, passing away on January 13th, 1929. During Earp's time as a Sheriff in Dodge City, the famous Bat Masterson was one of his deputies. Masterson's favorite weapon was a 4-3/4", .45 caliber, nickel plated with rubber grips ordered personally with an extra high front sight. He placed orders for more than one of these revolvers during his lifetime and is well documented, so it is no surprise to find this exact type and finish revolver in the hands of Wyatt Earp during the 1890's. The eagle hard rubber grips were the style used from 1881 through 1891. The name "WYATT EARP" is scratched at the inside base of both grip panels. The lineage is extensive and concrete as it stayed within the Earp family until finally sold by Gale Earp, son of George Earp, first cousin to Wyatt. The gun finally leaving the family to a Joplin, Missouri gun dealer O.B. O'Ferrell who in turn sold the revolver to David Hall about 1977 to 1978. Lineage is as follow: Wyatt Earp to first cousin George Earp (d. 1960), whose son Gale Earp inherited the gun at that time and kept it in the family until he finally sold it in the 70's to O.B. O'Ferrell, who sold it to Leon Sinn in 1976 who in turn sold it to David Hall in 1977-78. David Hall auctioned it threw Tom Keilman Auctions in May 1999. This revolver is accompanied by a plethora or information including an article by David Hall in the Fall 1990 Texas Gun Collector that features this revolver, its story and other Earp items owned by Hall; numerous paper article cut-outs from Pella, Iowa from 1958 where Earp once lived; copies of photos of Sheriff Gale Earp standing next to Marshall Ralph Hooker; notarized letters from Gale Earp dated 1974 where he lists this gun by serial number, signed in front of a notary public as selling it to O.B. O'Ferrell in 1974. There is a letter from Marshall Ralph Hooker that states "I have known the Earp's for many years, George Earp, US Marshall (Wyatt's first cousin) who worked with Wyatt Earp in Kansas, was a very good friend of mine. I have known Gale Earp of Cartridge, Missouri for many years...the .45 Single Action Colt No. 133674, which belonged to O.B. O'Ferrell when he last saw it was once owned by Wyatt Earp. Having known Gale Earp for so long, one can be sure that the .45 he sold to Mr. O'Ferrell is no doubt the one which Wyatt owned". Martial Hooker signed this affidavit in 1978. All of these letters refer to Wyatt Earp's revolver with correct serial number. This would indicate that this revolver was in the Earp family from time of purchase until 1974. CONDITION: The cylinder retains traces of original nickel. Barrel and ejector rod housing retains 75-80% original factory nickel. Frame retains approximately 75% nickel with loss to forward section. Frame has three line patent date. The grips are excellent to near mint, fit tightly, matching edges of metal with just a touch of shrinkage; appear to have been on the gun and are on the gun in every enclosed photograph and documentation. Indexes and locks up like a vault. Strong, clean rifled bore with no abrasions. A wonderful piece of American Western history owned by one of the most famous lawmen of all time who had direct family documentation. A unique opportunity to own one of Wyatt Earp's standard guns. CORRECTION: The eagle hard rubber grips were the style used from 1881 through 1891.