April 27-30, 2021 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/27/2021
1911 Vintage Colt Single Action Army revolver, serial number 317839. This historic revolver was presented to New Mexico Territorial Mounted Policeman Apolonio A. Sena by the grateful citizens of Las Vegas, New Mexico Territory. As reported in the Saturday, June 10, 1911 edition of the "Weekly Optic and Live Stock Grower", the Las Vegas local newspaper, headline article reads: "Officers rewarded with silver plated six shooters in token of the esteem and admiration which they won through their efficient work in capturing the kidnappers of little Waldo Rogers...Captain Fred Fornoff and Apolonio A. Sena of the Territorial Mounted Police and Detective Tim O'Leary of the Sante Fe Railway were presented silver mounted pearl handled Colts six shooters by the citizens of Las Vegas, N.M. April 1911". Waldo Rogers was the son of local attorney Albert Rogers, and grandson of the Kansas City millionaire, Judge H.L. Waldo. Young Waldo's Uncle William (Will) Rogers (Albert Rogers brother) conspired with ex-Deputy Sheriff of Socorro County Joe Wiggins, who had recently been released from the Territorial Prison for murder. The two conceived a plot to kidnap 2-year-old Waldo for a ransom of $12,000. More than a week after the kidnapping, William Rogers delivered the ransom at Onava, in San Miquel County, four miles south of Las Vegas. The child had been left in an arroyo at Kearney's Gap and was unharmed. The kidnapping of a young child at the point of guns created fear and captivated the hearts of local citizens. Through intense investigation and superlative police work led by Captain Fred Fornoff and Apolonio A. Sena along with Detective Tim O'Leary, William Rogers and Joe Wiggins confessed to the crime. Will Rogers was sentenced to 5 - 12 years and Joe Wiggins to 7 - 12 years in the Territorial Penitentiary. According to Colt Archives the three guns presented to Fornoff, Sena, and O'Leary were factory embellished in like fashion with rare three-line barrel inscriptions: 'PRESENTED TO (name) /BY CITIZENS OF LAS VEGAS N.M./APRIL 1911'. Accompanying Colt Archival letters documents serial number 317839 as .45 LC caliber, 5 - 1/2 Barrel, Nickel, Checkered Pearl Grips, Factory Inscribed "PRESENTED TO A.A. SENA BY CITZENS OF LAS VEGAS, NEW MEXICO". All three revolvers were shipped May 25,1911 to Simmons Hardware Co., St. Louis Missouri for Gross-Kelly Company, a large wholesale firm located in Las Vegas N.M., who commissioned the presentation guns. Serial number 317839 is silver plated with two-piece pearl grips carved with a high relief Steer Head on the right panel, and correct "deep dished" silver-plated Colt medallions. Factory engraved in the classic Cuno Helfricht style featuring scrolls with punch dot backgrounds. The Colt Archival letters documenting 'Nickel' finish is an obvious error as every newspaper account of the day documents the presentation revolvers as "SILVER PLATED, PEARL HANDLED COLT'S SIX SHOOTERS". As further evidence, serial number 317834, the revolver presented to Timothy O'Leary, is featured along with serial number 317839, the revolver presented to Apolonio Sena, together in the Spring 2012 edition of "THE RAMPANT COLT" magazine. Both revolvers are silver-plated, with same engraving and same barrel inscriptions. The O'Leary gun has smooth two-piece pearl grips without Colt medallions. The revolver presented to Fred Fornoff, serial number 317850, was sold by Morphy Auctions on October 23 as a refinished nickel-plated gun. The Fornoff revolver had same engraving and barrel inscription as serial numbers 317834 and 317839. CONDITION: Excellent with 93-95% original silver plating showing modest wear overall. Slight holster wear at the muzzle with overall light scratches and dings from honest use. Grips are excellent with a small chip at the heel on right panel. Action is tight and crisp. Bore is bright with strong rifling. Original silver plated unmolested screws. Overall this is a most important, rare factory inscribed and engraved Colt SAA with New Mexico history. Comes with numerous articles and letters documenting the gun and accounts of the day. The revolver was formerly in the Charles Schriner collection of the Y.O Ranch, Kerrville Texas. -MKS-