November 17 & 18, 2021 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/17/2021
1922 Vintage Colt Single Action Army revolver, serial number 343178. Nickel with 5 - 1/2" barrel, chambered in .45 LC caliber. Profusely hand-engraved in approximately 'C' grade coverage with a monogram "M" on top of the backstrap. 2-piece ivory grips with Colt nickel medallions. Shipped to Wolf & Klar in Fort Worth Texas on June 29, 1922. Accompanying Colt Archival Letter documents configuration and shipment. Letter has an interesting footnote that reads: "The records reveal the above arm had some special work as indicated by Colt Factory Order #6031/5. Specifics of this special work are not available". Former deputy sheriff of Three Sands Oklahoma named John "Two Gun" Middleton is believed to have been carrying this Colt SAA when he was shot down in an "Old West Style" gunfight on July 21, 1923. Headlines in the July 26, 1923 edition of the local newspaper, "The Tonka" reports: "Two Deputy Sheriffs Shot Down Saturday By Choctaw Indian". Middleton along with Deputy George "Hookey" Miller were shot dead by 41 year old Choctaw Indian named Jackson "Chief" Burns. Both Middleton and Miller were known to be rough characters using extreme measures on occasion. One newspaper account reported they were feared and hated by those they dealt with and used cruel tactics on those they were collecting their "protection" monies from. Miller received his moniker "Two Gun" because he was known to proudly carry his Colt SAA on his hip along with a second hideaway gun. Miller acquired his nickname "Hookey" due to his left hand being replaced with a hook. Bad blood had been brewing between the officers and Burns when they previously arrested him for public intoxication, chained him to a bedpost in a local boarding house room, and beat him until he agreed to pay them "protection money". After his release Middleton and Miller threatened to kill him if he returned to town. On the day of the shooting eye witnesses reported Middleton and Miller as saying "There the son-of-a-bitch is now" when they saw him sitting at a café table, then went on to say "Let's smoke him out!" Jackson Burns was tried for murder and found not guilty on September 28, 1923 by reason of self-defense. The revolver is accompanied by several letters of testimony describing the incident and authentication of the gun. CONDITION: Excellent with 95% bright nickel remaining. Action is tight and crisp. Bore is bright and clean. Action is tight and crisp. Grips are excellent. MKS
Caliber/Bore
.45 Long Colt