November 17 & 18, 2021 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/17/2021
In the 1920's Harold Croft left Pennsylvania with a suitcase full of six guns on a train headed to Durkey, Oregon. He was taking four guns out to show to the famed long-range shooter Elmer Keith. These were Models 1 - 4 that he had developed out of two Colt Single Action Army's and two Bisley model revolver's. Model No. 1 and No. 3 were Single Action Army's and Model No. 2 and No. 4 were the Bisley Models. Croft called them Featherweights. He had removed the ejector rod and housing, machined out the recoil shield, narrowed the frame and trigger guard. Made them into flat tops and added adjustable sights. There is a photograph on page 125 in Elmer Keith's book "Hell, I Was There!" of Croft holding this gun sitting with Elmer Keith. All of Crofts's guns weighed between 30 - 32 ounces. This gun weighs 29.3 ounces. Out of the four guns this is the only one that remains in the original .45 Colt caliber. The other three guns have been converted to .44-40 caliber. On the flat top it is inscribed "S.H. CROFT FEATHERWEIGHT / REMODELED BY R.F. SEDGLEY-INC." and on the left side of the barrel is "MODEL NO. 4" on the right side of the barrel is "MAY 1926". Wilber Glahn engraved this gun with a vine and floral motif. The 2-piece grips are of curly maple. There was an article written on this gun in the August 2018 edition of Guns magazine. This gun was bought at auction at the Terre Haute First National Bank on November 20, 1981. That was the only time it was ever offered publicly. This gun has been in a vault for the last 40 years and was thought that it was lost to the collecting community. CONDITION: All of the machine work that has been done to this gun was superbly executed. The 2-piece grips show just a bit of handling wear but fit the gun expertly. Bright and shiny bore with sharp lands and grooves. The blue shows high edge wear and the grip straps are worn. A piece of firearm's development history. REW
Model
Featherweight Bisley