October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/23/2019
This is one of three nearly identical and historically connected factory engraved Colt Single Action Army revolvers. The right side of the barrel has the factory presentation "Presented to Fred Fornoff by the citizens of Las Vegas NM April 1911". The citizens of Las Vegas presented a total of three identical, or near identical guns in April of 1911 to show their gratitude for their part in capturing the kidnappers of two year old Waldo Rodgers, the son of local attorney A.T. Rogers. They presented these Colts to Apolonio A. Sena, a territorial mounted police officer and New Mexico ranger (this gun is accounted for and a copy of the sales ad for this gun is included), Detective Tim O'Leary of the Santa Fe Railroad Police, and Captain Fred Fornoff of the New Mexico Mounted Police. In addition to his fame as an outstanding New Mexico Police Captain, he is also noted as one of the main investigators looking into the murder of Pat Garrett, best remembered as the killer of Billy the Kid. Wayne Brazel was indicted for the crime on April 13, 1908. While the true facts of the case are argued to this day, it was Fornoff who was convinced that the real murderer was none other than "Killin" Jim Miller. His friendship with Garrett and his subsequent investigation into the murder will forever cement his connection to the killer of Billy the Kid. The gun was engraved by Cuno Helfricht or his shop in his typical style of scroll, punch dot background and special designs with class C coverage. The gun is entirely nickel plated and fitted with factory checkered pearl grips. The gun today retains nearly all of the expertly reapplied nickle finish but cylinder shows signs of some very light burn. This is a beautiful gun that looks to be in near new condition with a few minor chips to pearl on right panel. Fine bore and action. Beautiful Colt with well documented history (included) from a set of three guns well known within the hobby. DB