GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
SCARCE REMINGTON MODEL 1890 SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER DOCUMENTED TO BUFFALO WYOMING RANCHER AND UNDERTAKER. REMINGTON 1890 177 44WCF Cal. 44 WCF (44-40). Blue finish with 7-1/2" bbl. Full nickel silver front sight and 1-line address "REMINGTON ARMS CO. ILION, N.Y." Left side of frame is marked "44 C.F.W." Mounted with 2-pc checkered hard rubber grips with the Remington Arms monogram at the top. Inside of the left grip has the hand scratched brand "JAT" connected. Inside right grip has a "T". Buttstrap is fitted with a factory lanyard swivel. Accompanied by a packet of information regarding ownership of this revolver, including a notarized statement from the consignor who states that he had inherited this revolver down through his family from the original owner, John Albert Jones (1849-1919) who was consignors maternal grandfather. He states that Mr. Jones, according to family legend acquired this revolver in the early to mid 1890s. He had arrived in Wyoming territory in the early 1870s as an employee of the Union Pacific Railroad Co. working out of Rawlins & Rock Springs Wyoming where he rose to the position of Freight Conductor which position he held 1874-1883. In about 1886 Mr. Jones, with his new wife moved to Buffalo Wyoming territory where he opened a saloon and became the regional undertaker for Johnson County, a career he maintained through the Johnson County wars, burying some of the more famous names from that conflict. He is mentioned by name in the book The Johnson County War, O'Neil. Upon his wifes urging Mr. Jones sold the saloon but maintained the undertaking business and opened a furniture store. An original hang-tag from the furniture business, imprinted "J.A. JONES, / House Furnishings & Undertaking, / BUFFALO, WYO." Somewhat later Mr. Jones established a cattle ranch southeast of Buffalo and sold the undertaking business which he operated until his death in 1919. Upon Mr. Jones death ownership of this revolver passed to his 2 sons John Paul Jones (1891-1927) and Otto Neben Jones (1890-1934). Paul reportedly carried this revolver as an employee in the several banks where he worked in Buffalo, Sheridan and Casper Wyoming. Paul gave this revolver to Otto in the 1920s where Otto, a well known cowboy, horse wrangler and cattle rancher in the area, carried it on his ranch just outside of Buffalo. Consignors father, Charles Oliver Buxton (1879-1964) married one of J.A. Jones' daughters and when Otto died the revolver was passed to Mr. Buxton. Mr. Buxton operated the JAJ Ranch until 1944 when he retired and moved into Buffalo and passed away in 1964. Mr. Buxton gave this revolver to consignor in 1962. Accompanied by 3 original photographs of J.A. Jones, all in formal wear, one of which is an official Union Pacific Railroad photograph. Also accompanied by copies of photographs of Paul & Otto Jones. Also accompanied by the March 1928 issue of The Union Pacific Magazine wherein on page 47 there are pictures of 16 "Older Old Timers", one of which is captioned "J.A. Jones, / Freight Conductor / 1874". There is a pencil notation in the margin "Father". According to the Blue Book of Antique Firearms & Values, Fjestad & Allen there were about 2,000 of these scarce revolvers produced 1891-1894. There may have been one additional revolver produced in 1896. The Model 1890 was the successor to the Remington Model 1875 but met with very little acceptance from the buying public. By the time this model came on the market the sales of big bore revolvers was waning. In addition to which Remington's competition, the Colt Model 1873 Single Action Army revolver was very well established with both the buying public and with government contracts. Remington's advertising campaign could simply not compete with Colt. PROVENANCE: The Esteemed Collection Of Noted Expert And Author Warren Buxton. CONDITION: Very good. Overall retains about 40-50% thin orig blue, stronger in sheltered areas on the bbl & frame. Grip frame & trigger guard are a gray metal patina. Cylinder retains strong blue in the flutes with the outer diameter a blue/gray patina. Right grip has a chip below the locator pin hole otherwise grips are sound showing moderate to heavy wear. Mechanics are crisp, strong bore with fine pitting. Photographs are all fine with good images and slight yellowing and soil. Magazine covers are detached. 51568-45 JRL (5,000-8,000)