April 12, 2019 Gold Rush, Western, & Native American, Las Vegas
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/12/2019
Offered is an impressive, old US Indian scout outfit that includes a Smith & Wesson American, a US Trapdoor, a .45-70 Prairie belt and a homemade holster fully decorated with glass beads and crossed American flags. The revolver is a Smith & Wesson 2nd Model American in .44 Russian with a 6" barrel. Serial No. 17128. Manufactured from 1872 to 1874. Original in blued finish which is now a smooth brown patina. Popular handgun in the Old West and is only about 100 numbers off of a documented Cole Younger gun. Grips are serial numbered to gun numbered 26865. Barrel legends are sharp and completely readable. Screws are fairly straight. Indexes and locks up correctly. Strong, pronounced rifling with minor black powder abrasion. Mismatched assembly numbers. Overall, dark smooth, chocolate brown patina with a homogeneous Western look. Includes a Smith & Wesson factory letter. The Trapdoor is a Model 1873 period cut-down rifle serial No. 67886 with 20-1/2" barrel, 1873 rifle rear sight, crudely fitted dovetail front sight, single band, half stock, decorated with oxidized brass tacks on stock, forearm and wrist. Buttplate was removed. Metal is all brown patina. Fine action. Strong, visibly rifled bore. Wood has some stress cracks and chips typical of Indian rough use. Some chipping to stock around lockplate. The plate and hammer have overall fine pitting and most of the US stamp is no longer visible. Appears as though someone wiped on some finish on hammer at one time. Buttplate is usually removed to scrape buffalo skins. Comes with an 1876 Prairie belt made of canvas with a heavy brass buckle and a homemade holster that is nearly fully decorated with glass beads. The base has typical Indian decoration while the flap is decorated with two crossed American flags and a border of blue beads. The Indian bead work found on this holster is a collector category unto its own, and when the early beadwork is combined with the Americana motif, makes this single piece highly collectible Americana/Folk Art extraordinaire. This outfit is typical what a US Indian Cavalry scout would be armed with. Great to display as an ensemble and definitely has the early Indian War eye appeal, especially with the colorful holster. It is believed that the Indian scouts that rode with the US Cavalry were the most important men on the mission and this outfit is typical of the customized weaponry and rig that an Indian scout would have worn during the 1880's. A great collection that has been together a long time with striking eye appeal. This unique outfit deserves to stay together as a single display. Belt, 38"L.
Condition: (Very Good).
Item Dimensions: Gun: 40"L.