GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
FIRST GENERATION COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER THAT BELONGED TO THE LONE RANGER ACTOR JOHN HART.COLTSAA17068345 COLTCal 45 COLT. Usual configuration with 5-1/2" bbl, full front sight and 1-line block letter address with caliber marking on left side. Left side of frame has 2-line 3-patent dates and Rampant Colt in a broken circle. Mounted with old replacement 2-pc bone grips. This revolver was the property of the prolific movie actor John Hart who portrayed the character of The Lone Ranger on television for 2 years, 1952-1953, starring in 52 episodes of that series replacing the original Lone Ranger, Clayton Moore. John Hart's acting career began in 1938 with a role in the movie The Buccaneer and other "B" movies. World War II interrupted his career as an actor, after which, in 1947 he had the title role in the movie serial Jack Armstrong. He stayed with the movie industry until his 2 year stint as the Lone Ranger after which he costarred with Lon Chaney Jr. in the TV show Hawkeye and then The Last of the Mohicans. He also starred in other programs including Skyking, Rawhide, Sgt. Preston and even had a role in the very famous night time series Dallas. In 1981 he resumed his role as the Lone Ranger in the theatrical production Legend of The Lone Ranger. He also had supporting roles in The Ten Commandments and Viva Las Vegas. He also worked behind the scenes in numerous other productions for television. He is quoted as stating "I had big parts in lousy movies and lousy parts in big movies. I never made a lot of money, but it sure was fun". He has a star on the Hollywood Sidewalk of Fame and in June 2001 the U.S. House of Representatives paid tribute to him with an entry into the Congressional record titled Who was that Masked Man? which included Mr. Hart's biography, mentioning that he had appeared in over 300 TV shows and movies along with a lengthy resume of behind the camera work. Accompanied by an undated handwritten letter addressed to the late Ron Bullock over the signature of John Hart / The Lone Ranger, wherein he states that this revolver, identified by serial number was his personal gun for many years. There is another undated letter addressed to Bill Shugars over the signature of John Hart wherein he again identifies this revolver and gives a history of how he acquired it. He states that he bought it from one of the old cowboys but couldn't remember from whom. He states that its likely this revolver appears in several westerns. Also accompanied by an autographed photo of John Hart as the Lone Ranger in costume with his horse Silver with the inscription "To Bill Shugars. / Colt. SAA #170683 / Is a great old gun. / Enjoy it as I have." over the signature of Mr. Hart. All of the signatures are accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity of Mr. Hart's autograph by his agent Mick LaFever CONDITION: Very good. No orig finish remains being an overall cleaned gray metal patina with fine pitting around the muzzle, on the front sight & outer radius of ejector housing. Frame is matching patina with fine pin-pricks of pitting around the forcing cone area and on loading gate. Backstrap, buttstrap & trigger guard are matching patina as is the cylinder. Grips are sound showing heavy wear but no abuse. Hammer is not solid in safety or half cock notches, otherwise mechanics are fine. Worn dark bore with moderate to heavy pitting as expected from movie blanks. 51697-1 JRL (8,500-12,500)