GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT WINCHESTER MODEL 1886 RIFLE THAT ONCE BELONGED TO PVT JIM PUTMAN AND USED BY HIM IN HIS SERVICE IN COMPANY D FRONTIER BATTALION TEXAS RANGERS 1890-1893 THE MURDER STEER GUN. WINCHESTER 1886 RIFLE 4892 45-70 Cal. 45-70. 26" rnd bbl. Full magazine. Blue and case colored finish. Straight grained American walnut stocks with crescent butt. Coin silver front sight. Standard rear sight. Receiver is engraved "JAMES M. PUTMAN CO. D FRONTIER BATTALION TEXAS RANGERS" on left side. Engraving appears to have been applied at a later date in order to identify this rifle. Rifle has standard markings for this model. Accompanying this rifle is a written statement from Joe Richardson, noted Alpine, Texas historian stating that he purchased this rifle from Mick LaFever, author of "Guns that Talk". Also included is a notarized bill of sale mentioning this rifle by SN from Malcolm LaFever dated October 25, 1999 in which he states that he purchased the rifle at the estate sale of Sam & Ruth Wilson in Killeen, Texas in June 1985. Also included in the sale was a tin-type image of Pvt. Putman. Mrs. Wilson said that her husband Sam obtained it from the personal belongs of his friend Jim Putman and that Putman carried the rifle during his days as a Texas Ranger and lawman and that it was used by Putman during his confrontation with Fine Gilliland in the Glass Mountains. This incident is documented in the book "Steer Branded Murder" by Barry Scobee. A 1st edition autographed copy of which is included with this rifle. The incident occurred in January 1891 when in a dispute over the ownership of a brindle steer resulted in the cold blooded murder of of one-armed Confederate veteran Henry Harrison Powe. Local cowboys were so incensed over this bloody act that they branded the steer "MURDER" along its left side. Ranger Putman and Ranger Cook pursued the killer into the Glass Mountains north of Marathon, Texas. In the gunfight that ensued, Putman killed Gilliland with a shot to the head from this model 1886 Winchester rifle. Included with this rifle is a copy of "Texas Ranger Sketches" by Robert W. Stevens, state of Texas archive records of Putman''s Ranger enlistment, a copy of "Guns that Talk" by LaFever and Root in which the rifle is pictured on pg. 53, and the framed tin-type of Putman along with his biography. PROVENANCE: The Estate of G. W. "Bill" Stewart of Sonora, Texas. CONDITION: Very good. Bbl is a silver-gray cleaned finish overall with sharp markings. Good sights. Bore is dark with visible rifling. Receiver is also a cleaned silver-gray patina. Engraving was applied after receiver was cleaned. Balance of metal parts are a cleaned silver-gray patina. Stocks are very good and full-sized with bruises and scratches overall and a dark stain near buttplate. All books are in fine condition. Putman picture is fine condition. A rare opportunity to obtain a Winchester rifle used by a Texas Ranger in his service in Company D of the Frontier Battalion. 49973-486 TEP (10,000-20,000)