September 9, 10, & 11, 2025 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/9/2025
Produced in 1875. This Ainsworth inspected Colt features matching serial numbers on barrel, cylinder, frame, trigger guard and back strap. Ainsworth A inspection mark is stamped on cylinder, trigger guard and on top of back strap but no longer legible under barrel. The walnut grips show a partially visible OWA inspector stamp on left panel. The frame has the two line patent address with US stamp on left side. Barrel displays the slant one line address. This revolver retains the period nickel finish often found on scout guns of the era. This gun falls into the largest block of US cavalry nickel plated revolvers. This gun came with an identified Wild West Show painted trunk that belonged to Lone Star Harry who was born in 1855 in present-day Eagle Pass, Maverick County, Texas. What we know about Harry comes primarily from his own words in an early 1890s pamphlet published for the Wild West shows popular at the time. He claimed to have started his cowboy career at 14, herding cattle for various outfits until the age of 22. During this time, he was hired by Gen. Crook to work as a scout for the U.S. Army during the height of the Indian Wars period. This gun, more than likely, was the one he carried as a scout around 1877. After his time as a scout he offered his services as an agent to various Native Americans who performed in Wild West shows. By 1890, Harry had re-invented himself once again and had begun performing in shows himself as a trick-pistol shot with Doctor Solomon, Capt. Nettie Little, Pawnee Bill, Wichita Jack, finding more permanent work in 1893, with Buckskin Bill’s Railroad Wild West. During this time, Harry wowed crowds at the Chicago World’s Fair, winning “World’s Columbian medals as the greatest handler of revolvers the world had ever seen.” The trunk is painted and tacked dating to the mid-1800's and is stenciled on the reverse " * LONE * STAR * HARRY". Measures: 29 1/4 x 14 1/2 x 12 1/4 in. Lot also comes with a great period tintype of Harry in full western show regalia sporting two nickel finish Colt army revolvers. A period flap holster is also included but in a somewhat poor state of preservation. CONDITION: Fine. The revolver retains about 70% period nickel with balance perfectly blended to a soft grey. All legends are crisp. The action indexes and locks up tightly with good loading half cock. The bore is bold but frosted. Grips are very good but have shrunk a bit. Trunk shows travel wear and age.
Accessories
Leather holster, trunk
Paperwork
Tin type Lonestar Harry