October 25, 2023 The Paul Friedrich Collection of Firearms & Gold Rush
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/25/2023
Johnny H. Baker was born January 13, 1869, in North Platte, Nebraska, and died April 22, 1931, in Denver, Colorado. He was known as Buffalo Bill Cody's adopted son and a Wild West sharpshooter. He was with Buffalo Bill from the age of 7 and was in the Wild West Show, where he appeared as the Cowboy Kid. He was considered an expert marksman by the age of 14, as he won the boy's championship at the age of 12 and many other shooting competitions. He appeared before many crowned Kings and Queens and was presented to many heads of state. He stayed with the Wild West Show until the end in November of 1917. Then he was instrumental in building the Buffalo Bill Museum in Denver, Colorado. As Johnny Baker's fame was built on his skill as a marksman and his life-long association with Buffalo Bill Cody and the Wild West Show, any documented firearm that belonged to him would be a real treasure. According to the Colt factory archive letter, this gun was shipped in a 1 gun shipment on April 22, 1895, to J.H. Mayer (address unavailable). It was (and remains) a .38 Colt with a 6" barrel, ivory stocks, with the finish not listed. The monogram "JHB" is inlaid on the right side of the frame. The gold inlaid entwined initials were executed by the master hand of Cuno A. Helfricht. He was chief of the Colt's factory engraving department. This gun comes in a factory leather bound case with a green interior and a sealed box of .38 Long Colt cartridges. It is featured in many books and periodicals. It also comes with a notebook of information about this gun and Johnny H. Baker. CONDITION: This gun retains virtually all of the factory-applied high-polish blue finish. There is a turn line on the cylinder and some slight high-edge wear. Nitre blue on trigger, screws, and back of the hammer is fantastic. The gold inlay is superb with no flaking or chipping. Bright and shiny bore with sharp lands and grooves. The factory ivory grips show some age, and they fit the gun very well. The case has some dings and small tears in outer leather covering. The inside of the case shows some wear. The period box of ammunition has a few chips on the label. A very high condition gun with wonderful provenance.
Paperwork
Factory Letter, Binder of Information