May 8-10, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/9/2024
An included factory letter indicates this revolver was shipped December 15, 1886, in its current configuration. Finished in nickel with an ejectorless 4" "COLT FRONTIER SIX-SHOOTER" etched panel barrel, modified half moon front sight, 2-line address, and 2-piece checkered hard rubber grips with rampant Colt trademarks at the top. Inside of the right grip inscribed "Arkasas Tom C". The left panel also scratched inside "W.Y." The factory indicated that this gun was a single gun shipment to Thomas Carter, a reported alias of Arkansas Tom Jones, or, more properly, Roy Daugherty. Born in Missouri in 1870, he left for Oklahoma Territory at 14, where he met former Dalton Gang member Bill Doolin working as a cowboy. Around 1892 he joined Doolin's infamous Wild Bunch Gang where he participated in several robberies prior to the 1893 Battle of Ingalls where he was captured by law enforcement. After learning that the Wild Bunch was staying in Ingalls, Oklahoma, marshals entered town and were engaged in a gun battle with the gang. Hearing the shots, Arkansas Tom fired his Winchester from the commanding vantage point of his room at the City Hotel, killing Deputy Marshal Tom Hueston and reportedly others. Abandoned by his gang who managed to escape town, Arkansas Tom was forced to surrender after Deputy Marshal Masterson reportedly threw dynamite into his position and was taken into federal custody. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 50 years, but was paroled in 1910. He then moved on to Hollywood, where he hoped to act in Western films. He did star as himself in a reenactment of the Battle of Ingalls in the 1915 film "Passing of the Oklahoma Outlaws" but apparently soon thereafter returned to crime, robbing banks. He was later killed in a 1924 gunfight with Joplin, Missouri detective William Gibson after his gun jammed. This revolver, attributed to Arkansas Tom, possibly the one he surrendered at Ingalls, is accompanied by a large binder of research about the gun and Arkansas Tom. A wonderful period floral tooled single loop holster and gun belt also accompany this lot, along with 3 early rounds of .44-40 in the cartridge loops. CONDITION: Very good. Barrel retains the vast majority of its flaking factory nickel with a largely legible but faint etched panel. The forward portion of the frame also retains significant portions of original nickel, the balance displaying a freckled gray patina with some traces of finish. Traces of nitre blue visible on trigger. Grips have wear and scattered marks but no major sign of distress. Bore has defined rifling with frosting and a few more significant pits. Action requires attention and does not hold in the cocked position. Holster shows age but is supple and presents well. A scarce Colt with tantalizing Western outlaw gunfighter attribution.
Paperwork
Factory Letter, Binder of Research