Gary Hendershott The Finest Historical Items in the World

W. F. ‘Buffalo’ Bill Cody – Engraved Presentation Colt Single Action Army

COLT-1

A Magnificent Highly Engraved & Nickel-Plated Colt Single Action Army Colt – W.F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody beautiful nickel-plated Colt SAA .44-40 cal. revolver purchased directly from the family of a famous gunsmith Archie Miller that personally received it from Cody in 1913 serial #52141 (serial #52193 Colt of this pair is on display in the Cody Museum reference 1988.9.1) Thus it has never been on the market before originally belonging to W.F. Cody with his name beautifully engraved on it, then to his personal gunsmith Archie Miller then by descent to his daughter who later in life sold it privately to a collector. This is the first time that this gun has ever been publicly offered for sale as Cody received this gun from the Colt in 1878 and carried it throughout the 19th Century in the West.

A striking Colt Single Action Army magnificently engraved by master engraver Cuno Helfricht. Beautifully renickel plated, the grips were also carved by Helfricht. Of all the Cody guns that exist this is among the finest and this is certainly the Show Stopper of them all! Accompanied by gunsmith Archie Miller’s records, photographs, a 1913 Cody Wild West Show poster and 2 Passes to the show signed by Cody for the gunsmith whom he had a long friendship with , Buffalo Bill’s Lariat case , a Scrimshawed souvenir Long Horn Steer horn from the 1913 show, also accompanied by the a Notarized Letter of Provenance from the gunsmiths daughter who inherited the gun and the accessories from her father, this gun from Cody was her dad’s favorite gun and she use to shoot with her dad at Rifle Matches so it is appropriate that he would pass his favorite gun on to his favorite daughter. A remarkable showpiece of the famous Hero of the West, 6 items. (Accompanied by 3 letters: Colt Factory Letter / Larry Wilson Letter / Miller Family Letter)

$135,000

“Buntline Special” with a 16 Inch Barrel
made in 1895 The Colt Single Action Army

COLT-3

A Magnificent Colt Single Action Army factory nickel with a 16 inch barrel

Colt – “Buntline Special” a beautiful factory nickel-plated Colt Single Action Army .44-40 cal. made in 1895 serial #162341 black powder frame with a long 16“ bbl. with a 6 shot fluted cylinder. Colt made only a few of these long barreled “Buntline Specials” beginning in 1876 with serial # 28800 -28830, most had “Flat-top” target style frames, these guns produced by Colt were made famous by Western folklore during the 19th Century beginning with Ned Buntline presenting one to Wyatt Earp in Dodge City, Kansas. A Superb gun which has all matching serial numbers on the frame, barrel, back strap & cylinder. Excellent 95% Colt Factory nickel-plate finish with Colt Factory “ampersand” on the right rear trigger guard indicating it was rebuilt at the Colt Factory, original hard rubber grips and an equally bright barrel. (Accompanied by 1984 Colt Letter)

$25,000

'Artillery Model' - Colt .45 Single Action Army made from 1874 US Cavalry marked “A”

COLT-4

Colt Single Action Army ‘Artillery Model’ Revolver serial # 347/541 & 4758, with mixed serial numbers as it was rebuilt from the Colt SAA with 7 1/2 “barrels that had been recalled by the US Army in 1895 and sent to the Colt factory to be converted into a short barreled “Artillery” pistol made up from parts of these Indian War cavalry pistols, they were used in the Spanish American War and carried by many of Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders at San Juan Hill in Cuba. An interesting and historical gun, the trigger guard is marked “A” for Ainsworth who inspected all the Custer guns, the frame is marked “U.S.” and the frame, trigger guard and backstrap all have matching serial #4758 which is in the Custer range of these pistols issued to the 7th Cavalry before the Battle of Little Big Horn, the barrel is numbered #347 and the cylinder #541. Thus, made from parts of the earliest Colt SAA made 1873-1874. If a gun could talk this one would speak volumes of History. A Historical showpiece.

$6,500

An Early ‘3 Digit Serial Number’ Colt .45 Single Action Army made in 1873

COLT-6

Colt Single Action Army early 3 Digit Serial Number US Cavalry Revolver serial # 493, inspected ‘A’ by US Government Inspector O.W. Ainsworth in .45 cal. 7 ½ “bbl. with 6 shot fluted cylinder. This gun was made during the 1st year of production in 1873 and has all matching 3digit serial numbers on the frame, barrel, back strap & cylinder. Wood grips are excellent and the bore has a dark frosted appearance. A wonderful 1st year of production military gun, Ainsworth was the ordnance sub-inspector at the Colt factory for the first 13 months (Oct. 1873 to Nov. 1874) of the Single Action Army’s 1st production. It was Ainsworth who inspected the Colts used by Col. G.A. Custer’s 7th Cavalry at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. This being a rare and early 1st year production three-digit serial number and important Colt SAA used on the Western Frontier by the military and in excellent condition. (Colt Letter)

$11,500

“American Express” Colt Lighting Double Action with Montana Shoulder Holster in 1904

COLT-30

Colt Lighting “American Express” Double Action Revolver serial # 151904, in Double Action Revolver “1 of 50” factory engraved sent to American Express accompanied by its original hand tooled Shoulder Holster made by A. Furstnow, Miles City, Montana. Al Furstnow was one of the most famous Saddleries in the Northwest his leather work used throughout the West and he outfitted Buffalo Bill for his first Wild West Show in Paris, France, he latter trained Edward Bohlin who became equally famous in Cody Wyoming. This .38 cal. gun was made in 1904 and is clearly marked “ Am. Exp.” on the 4 ½” barrel . This gun was carried by a Express Agent in Montana which was still overrun with Bank and Train robbers. Accompanied by Colt Factory letter that states this gun was Factory Engraved “ Am. Exp.” with subnumbers 1082-1131 and that it was in a shipment of 50 of the same type guns shipped to William Read & Sons, Boston, Massachusetts on June 15, 1904. This great gun comes from the collection of William Mitchell of Michigan (Colt Letter)

$5,500

A “Pair of Colt Single Actions” with Fancy carved grips in a ‘Bolero’ Western Belt Rig”

COLT-34

Colt Single Action Pair of Revolvers serial #173299 & 207415, in .45 cal. With 4 ¾ “bbl. with 6 shot fluted cylinder. These guns were made in 1897, with matching fancy carved grips in a nickel plated “Bolero” western double holster bet rig with 15 rounds of original .45 cartridges. Each gun has all matching serial numbers. The hand carved bone grips are dyed a deep orange together in a custom “Bolero’ western belt rig trimmed with nickel plated buckles. This being a rare and early western belt set and very displayable.

$5,500

A “R” stamped Colt .44-40 Single Action Army made in 1897

COLT-36

Colt Single Action Army Revolver serial #174909 ‘R’, in .44-40 cal. 7 ½ “bbl. with 6 shot fluted cylinder. This gun was made in 1897 and has 60% blue casehardened finish with Colt hard rubber grip. It has all matching serial numbers. This being a rare possibly Unique ‘R’ marking after the serial number on the frame and in excellent condition.

$4,750

“Steer Head Pearl Grips” Colt Single Action Army made in 1900

COLT-40

Colt Single Action Army Revolver serial #200314 in .32/20 cal. 7 ½ “bbl. with 6 shot fluted cylinder. This gun was made during the turn of the Century in 1900 with magnificent carved Steer Head Pearl grips and has all matching serial numbers. This being a rare and turn of the century production gun with a marvelous set of hand carved grips and in extra fine condition. C&R*

$4,500

A Nickel Plated Stag Horn Colt Single Action Army made in 1901

COLT-44

Colt Single Action Army Revolver serial #215183, in .41 cal. 4 ¾ bbl. with 6 shot fluted cylinder. This gun was made in 1901 and has 85% Colt Factory Nickle finish with fancy Stag Horn grips and has all matching serial numbers. This being a rare and flashy Colt SAA in excellent condition. C&R*

$2,750

COLT-47

A “Custom Engraved with Gold Circle Trim” Colt Single Action Army made in 1903 Colt Single Action “Highly Engraved with Gold Circle Trim” Revolver serial # 244853, in .32/20 cal. 4 3/4 “bbl. with 6 shot fluted cylinder. This gun was made in 1903 and upgraded privately, it is beautifully custom engraved with Gold circle trim and retains 99% blue finish and has all matching serial numbers. A Showpiece in mint condition, they don’t come any nicer than this. C&R*

$6,500

A Beautifully Engraved Colt .38-40 Single Action Army made in 1906

COLT-50

Colt Single Action Army Revolver serial # 281454, in .38-40 cal. with a 4 ¾ “bbl. with 6 shot fluted cylinder. This gun was made in 1906 and has all matching serial numbers. The two-piece ivory grips are excellent and fit the gun perfectly. It has a beautiful aftermarket custom engraving with heavy scroll work and a bright nickel 95% finish with the logo “.38 WCT” on the barrel. A Showpiece with bright luster finish. C&R*

$12,500

An Engraved & Nickel-Plated Colt .32-20 Single Action Army made in 1907

COLT-53

Colt Single Action Army Revolver serial # 288285, in .32-20 cal. 7 ½ “bbl. with 6 shot fluted cylinder. This gun was made in 1906 and has all matching serial numbers. The two-piece ivory grips are attractive and fit the gun which has beautiful after-market engraving with bright nickel plating. It has the .32 WCF logo on the barrel and is a fine and attractive gun. C&R*

$9,500

A Beautifully Engraved & Nickel Colt “Army Special” .32-20 cal. made in 1909

COLT-59

Colt Army ‘Special’ Highly Engraved and Nickel - Plated Revolver serial # 310388, in .32-20 cal. and scarce 4 ½ “bbl. with 6 shot fluted cylinder. This gun was made in 1909 and has all matching serial numbers. The Steer Head Pearl grips are mint and the gun is profusely Colt Factory engraved and in a bright Nickel with 98% finish. Appears to be unfired and has a crisp Colt logo on the barrel with the letter ‘Z’ after the serial number on the trigger guard. A tremendous showpiece. C&R*

$8,500

An Early Colt .45 Single Action Army made in 1920

COLT-64

Colt Single Action Army Revolver serial #339683, in .45 cal. 7 ½ “bbl. with 6 shot fluted cylinder. This gun was made in 1920 and retains 90% blue case hardened finish and hard rubber grips and has all matching serial numbers. A fine gun and in excellent near mint condition. C&R*

$3,850

A ‘Perfect’ Colt .45 Single Action Army made in 1920

COLT-68

Colt Single Action Army Revolver serial #340662, in .45 cal. 7 ½ “bbl. with 6 shot fluted cylinder. This gun was made in 1920 and retains 90% original blue case hardened finish with hard rubber grips and has all matching serial numbers. This being rare Colt SAA in mint condition C&R*

$5,250

An Early Colt .38/40 Single Action Army made in 1926

COLT-73

Colt Single Action Army Revolver serial #348368, in .38/40 cal. 7 ½ “bbl. with 6 shot fluted cylinder. This gun was made in 1926 and retains 95% original blue case hardened finish with hard rubber grips and has all matching serial numbers. A mint Colt SAA showpiece. C&R*

$4,750

"1 of only 1325" Colt .38 Single Actions made in 1927

COLT-76

Colt Single Action 1 of 1325 made in .38 caliber Revolver serial #350115, in .38 cal. 7 ½ “bbl. with 6 shot fluted cylinder. This gun was made in 1927 and retains 90% original blue case hardened finish with hard rubber grips and has all matching serial numbers. This being a rare Colt SAA chambered in .38 Colt caliber and in near mint condition accompanied by Colt Letter confirming this gun and that is was shipped to Rice & Miller Bangor, Maine on February 14, 1927 and was the only gun in the shipment. C&R* (accompanied by 1965 Colt Letter)

$6,500

An Early Colt .45 Single Action Army made in 1935

COLT-84

Colt Single Action Revolver serial # 355314, in .45 cal. 7 ½ “bbl. with 6 shot fluted cylinder. This gun was made in 1935 and retains 95% original blue case hardened finish with hard rubber grips and has all matching serial numbers. The Colt letter confirms the configuration of this gun and that it was 1 of 2 of the same type guns shipped to L.J. Eppinger in Detroit, Michigan November 29, 1935. An excellent Colt SAA made during the height of the Depression when money was scarce and ownership of gold was banned! C&R* (accompanied by 1963 Colt Letter)

$5,250

An Early .357 Magnum Colt Single Action Army 1 of only 625 made in 1938 – King Sites

COLT-87

Colt Single Action Revolver the 1st .357 Magnum Revolver made by Colt serial # 356751, in .357 Magnum cal. 7 ½ “bbl. with 6 shot fluted cylinder. This gun was made in 1938 and retains 85% original blue case hardened finish with hard rubber grips and has all matching serial numbers. This was the most powerful gun developed by Colt after the Colt Walker which was made almost a 100 years before this model. The Colt letter confirms this .357 configuration and states that this gun was shipped to King Gun Sight Company in San Francisco, California on December 12, 1939 where King upgraded this gun with Target Sites. Accompanied by an additional letter written by gun dealer Robert Elz May 8, 1968 documenting that he bought the gun from the original owner of 1939 and confirming that it was upgraded by King Sites “The Factory sent the gun to the King Site Co. in San Francisco to install complete King Job with VR reflector front sight and click rear sights”. A well documented 1st year of production of the famous .357 magnum Colt SAA which became the most popular caliber gun for generations. C&R* (accompanied by 1960 Colt Letter)

$9,500

An Early World War II Colt .45 Single Action Army made in 1940

COLT-89

Colt Single Action early WWII Revolver serial #357367 in .45 cal. 7 ½ “bbl. with 6 shot fluted cylinder. This gun was made in 1940 and retains 99% original factory nickel finish with hard rubber grips and has all matching serial. A superb as new Colt WWII SAA. C&R* (accompanied by 1978 Colt Letter)

$7,500

The “Last Colt .45” Single Action Army made in 1940 – 'The End of an Era'

COLT-91

Colt “The Last” Single Action Revolver serial # 357551 - One of the last Single Actions ever made, in .45 cal. 5 ½ “bbl. with 6 shot fluted cylinder. This gun was made in 1940 and retains 99% original blue case hardened finish with hard rubber grips blue and has all matching serial numbers. The Colt letter confirms the configuration of this gun and states “This is one of a group of last six numbered Single Actions manufactured by Colt” and is signed by M.S. Huber Colt Factory Historian, he goes on to state that the last serial number was #357859 and that the parts for this gun were manufactured by Colt just before WWII and assembled in 1948, this gun was presented in a beautiful custom Colt wood case to W.C. Stauble, Elmwood, Connecticut on February 4, 1955. An opportunity to complete a collection of Colt SAA from 1873 through 1940. (accompanied by 1974 Colt Letter with an additional note that Mr. Stauble was friends with Officers of the Colt Company and that this gun was presented to him as a gift in 1948 – in a custom Colt Factory wood case) Unique C&R*

$9,500

State of Alabama ‘Gold & Silver’ Colt Single Action Army ‘matched pair’ made in 1969

COLT-97

Colt Single Action Army – “State of Alabama” consecutive serial numbered “Second Generation” Cased Revolvers serial # 1073 & 1074 SA, in .22 cal. 5 “ bbl. with 6 shot fluted cylinder. These consecutive numbered guns are beautifully made in a Gold & Silver finish 100% finish intact, they were made in 1969 celebration of the 150th Anniversary of Alabama Statehood. With Colt ivory grips they have all matching and consecutive serial numbers. A Beautiful matched pair of “Gold & Silver” Colts for the State of Alabama both are in Colt leather cases with the Alabama State Flag on top. C&R* ( the pair of both Colts – cased)

$2,500

A Rare ‘Colt Lightning’ .44 cal. Rifle Highly Engraved Identical to Buffalo Bill’s Shipped to Portland, Oregon in 1885

COLT-100

Colt Lightning Rifle, Highly Engraved & Nickel plated by Colt serial # 5998 in .44 cal. 26 inch octagon barrel, the Colt Factory engraving is attributed to Cuno Helfricht with a fancy checkered pistol grip and highly finished stock, and Colt Factory 95% Nickel finish. A special Rampant Colt is engraved just behind the injection port of the top portion of the frame. This “Deluxe Model’ rifle illustrates an engraved panel scene of a Cowboy roping a Buffalo that is similar to this same type rifle that was presented to W.F. ‘Buffalo Bill’ Cody by the Colt Factory, perhaps the scene depicts Cody himself roping a Buffalo (Burgess #285). A remarkable and superb Showpiece, this model of Colt is missing in the finest collections. Accompanied by Colt letter stating that this rifle was shipped to Portland, Oregon in 1885 direct from Colt this being a Special Order and expensive gun at the time in 1885. The Best ! (Colt Letter)

$37,500

A Colt “Deluxe” 10 gauge Revolving Shotgun – Model 1855

COLT-101

A Colt “Deluxe” 10 gauge Revolving Shotgun – Model 1855 Colt Revolving Shotgun Deluxe’ Model 1855 serial # 696, in 10 gauge with a deluxe checkered & highly finished walnut stock and revolving cylinder only 1100 of these rare guns were produced by Colt in varying calibers of 10, 12 & 20 gauge revolving shotguns which led the way to the Colt Revolving rifle of Civil War fame. An important Colt rarity in Very fine condition.

$27,500

Winchester Model 94’ “Deluxe” Gold Plated - Cased & Presented to “Will Rogers” in 1920

COLT-109

Special Order Winchester Model 94’ Take Down serial # 880539 with a Fancy Gold plated Schutzen Butt Stock with Deluxe Wood and Checkering. 2 Engraved barrels with fitted Gold inlay and Gold wash Caps and Deluxe Factory Wood Grips and Checkering. One Barrel is 38 x 55 cal. W.C.F. all Octagon. The other Barrel is 30 cal. W.C.F. ½ Octagon and ½ Round. The bores on both barrels are about new. The receiver is Factory Engraved with a Gold Wash. The screws and loading gate are bright blue. The receiver does show very minor wear, as you can see evidence of cartridge insertion on the gold wash around the loading gate door. The Hammer and Cocking Lever are both Engraved by the same hand and are Color Case Hardened, showing almost little or no wear. The adjustable Set Trigger is Bright Blue again showing little or no wear. The Rear Sight was a special order as were the front Sights on both barrels they were all Case Hardened and Blued. A famous American hero Will Rogers was renowned for his political commentaries, he was the first to do so in American History, and he was also the first newsman to travel across America by airplane with Speaking engagements from coast to coast, he flew around the world 3 times, starred in over 70 movies becoming Americas first Movie Star. A man of many talents and beloved by the American people. His talents crossed every area of News, Radio, Movies, and Vaudeville. He was from the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma) and was a Cowboy his entire life using his Western wit to win the hearts of everyone he came into contact with. A Superb “Deluxe” Winchester Rifle that was given to a Great American.

$42,500

An Early Colt .45 Single Action Army made in 1878 owned by Movie Star Roy Rogers

COLT-121

Colt Single Action Army US Cavalry Revolver serial # 43304, in .44-40 cal. 7 ½ “bbl. with 6 shot fluted cylinder. This gun was made in 1878 and has all matching serial numbers, it was originally shipped from the Colt Factory on February 14, 1878 in a shipment of 50 similar guns to Spies Kissam & Co, N.Y. It survived out west until almost a hundred years later when the famous entertainer and cowboy Roy Rogers bought it and sent it back to Colt in 1964 to refurbish it, Colt shipped it back to Roy Rogers 3 years latter to his Double R Bar Ranch in California where it remained in his collection until Roy Rogers traded it to another famous entertainer and fellow Colt collector Mel Torme. A remarkable gun in as new condition, with an unusual Colt custom etched panel on the barrel “Colt Frontier Six Shooter” done to impress Roy Rogers who; at that time was the most famous Western entertainer in America. The Colt refurbish is perfect in every respect, the case hardened blue finish is 100% new the bore is bright along with the wood grips which are equally mint. Still on its black powder frame of 1878 a Showpiece of Colt History. (accompanied by 2 Colt Letters, to Mel Torme regarding Roy Rogers in 1964, current owner about the guns 1878 production)

$16,500