This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/22/2024
In the words of R.L. Wilson, this is "One of the most thoroughly documented of any antique American firearms, the history of the Bob or Emmett Dalton Single Action Army No 147306", with an accompanying plethora of documents, affidavits, articles, factory letter, etc. Colt records show this gun by serial number having been shipped on August 18th, 1892 to Simmons Hardware for one A. E. Williams. The order was for a total of (10) nearly identical revolvers listed as factory engraved, 5 1/2, blue and case color, grips not listed. Serial listed numbers are 147290, 142298 (at Davis Museum), 147303, 147304, 147305 (Autry Museum, purported to be Emmett Dalton's), 147306 (this gun, accompanied by an article on this revolver by R. L. Wilson and attributed to either Emmett or Bob; this gun is pictured on the cover of the June 1995 Gun Report by Bill Gerber, which is included and where he confirms this association), 147307, (which was purchased by H.W. Read after the raid of October 5th, 1892 and was put on display by him), 147308, 147311 and 147338 (which was part of the Pemberton Collection). All known examples except one are reported to have pearl grips. There are accompanying articles explaining that the gang had ordered these ten guns, two for each member of the gang who went to Coffeyville that fateful day on October 5th, 1892. They included Bob, Grat and Emmett Dalton, Dick Broadwell and Bill Powers. Bob, Grat, Dick Broadwell and Bill Powers were all killed that day. Emmett was captured having been shot approximately 23 times. Stories about these fancy shooting irons are based on eyewitness accounts, probate certificates and period stories, such as the March 17, 1942, letter from Martin to Davis, stating that Emmett’s old colt had been “used in all robberies by the Dalton gang until the day before the Coffeyville Robbery, when the give [five] outlaws used ten brand new .45 Colts." Emmett Dalton’s estate, which had gone first to his writing partner Chuck Martin, then to Oceanside, Calif., chief of police Captain Harold Davis, and then to Davis’ daughter. Included in Dalton’s personal effects and photos was his U.S. deputy marshal’s badge. Davis had framed the badge and a 1935 photo of Emmett Dalton presenting Martin with the badge and his engraved .44-40-caliber Colt single-action revolver, Serial No. 83073. This was the gun he used until he acquired his fancy pair of Colts. "A controversial legend persists about the Daltons having 'duded' themselves up with new clothes, horses, saddles and fancy pistols so that they would look respectable when they robbed two banks at the same time." According to Wilson, this gun, as well as the other known specimens, were engraved by famed Colt engraver Cuno Helfricht. It is finished in blue and case colors and fitted with two-piece pearl grips. It exhibits nearly full coverage engraving in typical Helfricht style. The frame displays bank note type scroll, as does the barrel, all done with punch dot background. Balance of engraving is in decorative border, sunburst type lines, alternating cylinder patterns, and dots. Screws are nitre blued. CONDITION: Outstanding. Matching numbers. Some muted case colors are showing with more in protected areas. Cylinder retains about 80% bright blue with high edge wear, some toning, minor surface wear, about what one would expect from a holstered gun. Barrel retains some bright blue with balance having flaked to patina with high edge holster wear. Ejector housing shows large percentage of blue, especially in protected area. Rear grip strap is patina while front strap retains mix of patina with bright blue. Nice flashes of case color remain on hammer. All edges and engraving are crisp. Pearl grips are nicely fitted, toned, with no cracks. Screws retains substantial fire blue. Action has all four clicks. The bore is bright. This gun, is of course, a black powder frame with locking screw in front. There is so much documentation that one could write an entire book simply on this gun and would be redundant to press all this information in this description. Nor is it prudent to tell the entire story of the Dalton gang or the Coffeyville raid as several books have been already written on this subject, one that has become one of the most noted events of outlawry of the Wild West. Simply put, this firearm is one of the most important weapons of that era to come to market and is truly a museum-worthy artifact.
Paperwork
Tub of Information, Copy of Factory Letter