June 25-28, 2018 Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/25/2018
Manufactured 1887. Shipped March 6th, 1888 with full octagon barrel, walnut stocks, plain trigger, sporting sights. Barrel is apleasing mix of blue and soft patina with razor sharp edges. Standard sporting sights. Frame colors have darkened. Walnut stocks are excellent, proud to metal, with rifle buttplate. Sharp rifling and fine action. The left side of the stock is adorned with a 1 - 3/4" x 4" engraved silver plaque that reads "PAWNEE BILL'S HISTORIC WILD WEST TO MISS MAY LILLIE MY STRAIGHT SHOOTER FROM G.W.L." (Gordon William Lillie 1860-1942). World renowned as "Pawnee Bill", he was recruited by Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show in 1883. He met May Manning, a 15 year old Quaker girl in 1883 while in Philadelphia and they married on August 1st, 1886. May's urged him to create his own Wild West show and in 1888 he began touring the country as Pawnee Bill's Wild West, but they continued to appear as special guests on Buffalo Bill's show. He led a group of 4,000 in the Oklahoma Land Run on April 22nd, 1889. That same year his Wild West traveled the United States and Europe starring May Lillie as the champion horseback shot of the West. His show re-joined Bill Cody in 1908. May and Gordon settled in Pawnee, Oklahoma where they built a cabin in 1910. May managed the Lillie Buffalo Ranch, she also starred in the film "May Lillie: Queen of the Buffalo Ranch". May died on September 17th, 1936 as a result of injuries sustained while the couple was driving home from their 50th wedding anniversary on Taos, New Mexico. She was inducted into the cowboy Hall of Fame in 2011. This rifle comes with numerous supporting items; photographs and history, includes an original 1880's cabinet card of the couple, factory letter, letter of provenance dated June 16th, 1946 from Dr. Christian Meyers who attended to May from September 13th until she died and also took care of Gordon. This rifle was presented to Dr. Meyers by Gordon for his gratitude in his care of the couple. Dr. Meyers was mortally wounded at the Battle of Bestogne and his rifle inherited by his son, Christian Meyers, who wrote this letter. In addition to this album or provenance is a brass tacked leather jewelry box with "MAY LILLIE" brass plaque. Inside is a 1896 Buffalo Bill Wild West Show flag with "MAY LILLIE" stenciled on front, a Pawnee Bill hand signed Wild West pocket card, a brass keyplate stamped "MAY LILLIE BBWWS" with back stamped "MAY L." with a key for the box, and a pair of beautiful beadwork woman's leather Western gloves. A lovely ensemble from a famous woman of the West.
Accessories
Box, Banner, Gloves, Key & Card