Denver Old West Auction

Auction Details

The only known photograph of Billy the Kid (the “Upham tintype”), a signed and numbered serigraph from Andy Warhol’s "Cowboys and Indians" series, and an extensive collection of new-to-market Buffalo Bill and Wild West memorabilia are among the highlights at Brian Lebel’s 22nd annual Old West Auction, June 25, 5pm at the Denver Merchandise Mart.

The 130-year old tintype of Billy the Kid is the only authenticated photograph of The Kid known to exist, and is widely regarded as the most important photograph of the American West. Extensively studied and documented, the photograph is nearly as famous as its infamous subject. A tintype of Billy’s friend, Dan Dedrick (to whom Billy gave his tintype), is included in the lot, along with other photos and letters from the Dedrick family and their descendants. Another piece of history can be found in J.A. Garrett’s Colt Single Action, which has documentation linking it to the Johnson County War.

Fine Western art at this year’s sale includes an important Edward Borein watercolor, "California Vaquero", from the estate of noted Borein collector Katherine Haley. A rare, unpublished Will James watercolor will be offered, as well as a number of 1st edition Will James books with original drawings and signatures. The Old West Auction will offer its first ever Andy Warhol, the 1986 Mother and Child, signed and numbered "TP 18/36". Other Western artists to be offered include Harry Jackson, Will Crawford, Nick Eggenhofer, Ross Stefan, Eric Michaels, Remington Schuyler, Joe Beeler and Ralph Lillywhite.

The personal collection of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West performer, Jordan Cottle will be offered for the first time, and includes a hand-drawn, hand signed, banner with original signatures from such noted Wild West performers as W.F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, Annie Oakley, Frank Butler, Johnny Baker and others. One of W.F. Cody’s personal pocket watches is for sale, as are original copies of the (unconsummated) divorce proceedings from his wife, Louisa Cody, in which a witness accuses her of trying to poison her famous husband.

Fine saddles, spurs, bits, bridles and other cowboy items from noted names such as Bohlin, Visalia, Ortega, and Buermann will be offered. Native American artifacts for sale include a beaded Omaha man’s warshirt, pipe bags, Navajo textiles, parfleche items and Apache baskets. Hollywood cowboy items include a John Wayne movie hat and “The Lone Ranger,” Clayton Moore’s Colt Single Actions.

A full color catalog is available for purchase, and Internet, phone and absentee bidding are available. The live auction is held in conjunction with the 22nd annual Old West Show, an expo-style sale with 200 national dealers in Western antiques, art and merchandise. General admission to the Show is $5 and early buy-in is available.
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Chief Joseph (1840-1904) Cabinet Card Photograph350 - Chief Joseph (1840-1904) Cabinet Card Photograph
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Famous portrait of the Nez Perce leader on card of O.S. Goff - Fort Lincoln, D.T. Inscription in pen on both front and obverse. Image is 5 7/8” x 4 1/
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to floor for (2,500.00) = 2,500.00
 
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George Armstrong Custer Cabinet Card351 - George Armstrong Custer Cabinet Card
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
A rare and important photograph. This distinctive image taken on or about January 22, 1872, by St. Louis photographer James A. Schoolmen depicts Custe
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 5,000.00 - 6,000.00
Sold to floor for (1,250.00) = 1,250.00
 
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Early and Rare Duck Foot Pistol352 - Early and Rare Duck Foot Pistol
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Flintlock 4 barrel pistol by Peter Haywood of Chester. Haywood worked as a gunmaker in Chester in 1815. This is a high quality smoothbore in approxima
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to floor for (2,250.00) = 2,250.00
 
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John Baker “Texas Jack” Omohundro353 - John Baker “Texas Jack” Omohundro
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
CDV image by Varley of Baltimore. 3 9/16” x 2 1/4” image on 4 3/16” x 2 1/2” card with photographers back stamp. On reverse in ink (Texas Jack) J.B. O
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 700.00 - 900.00
Sold to floor for (1,000.00) = 1,000.00
 
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Tintype of a Cowboy354 - Tintype of a Cowboy
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
c.1860s cowboy with bridle, shotgun chaps, and sombrero. Appears to be the proud owner of a new braided leather bridle and Spanish style bit with jing
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
Sold to floor for (400.00) = 400.00
 
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Single Action Cowboy Revolver355 - Single Action Cowboy Revolver
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Movie style single action put together from several manufacturers (Colt, and others) forming this 5 1/4”, .44 cal. smooth no finish revolver with 2 pi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 900.00
Sold to floor for (600.00) = 600.00
 
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Large Lot of Interesting Western Photographs356 - Large Lot of Interesting Western Photographs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
a) Branding action with 3 cowboys, 3 5/8” x 4 5/8” image on card; b) Four men, one mounted out in the rocks. Might be a mining camp or cow camp. Diamo
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 700.00 - 900.00
Sold to floor for (350.00) = 350.00
 
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Lot of 4 Steamboat Photographs357 - Lot of 4 Steamboat Photographs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
All mounted on photo board, scarce images of river boats c.1890’s-1900 a) Lees Lines, the St. Louis-Memphis, noted on reverse Ohio River 3 1/4” x 4 3/
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 700.00
Sold to floor for (300.00) = 300.00
 
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Stagecoach by Corte358 - Stagecoach by Corte
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Tombstanoe Stage Lines 10 1/2” tall with the luggage, 12” long and 6” wide Signed in base Oscar Cortez 1997
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,200.00 - 1,600.00
Sold to floor for (350.00) = 350.00
 
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Cabinet Image of 3 Proud Cowboys359 - Cabinet Image of 3 Proud Cowboys
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
A very nice photograph of 3 well dressed cowboys showing off their fine woolie chaps, 2 with fancy California spurs. Oversize, 5 1/2” x 3 7/8” image m
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
Sold to floor for (850.00) = 850.00
 
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Oscar Crockett Bit360 - Oscar Crockett Bit
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Curb bit with all original silver overlaid accents. Double marked inside cheek with O. Crockett makers stamp. Cataloged as the No. 110 bit.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 700.00 - 900.00
Sold to floor for (200.00) = 200.00
 
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3 Pair of August Buermann “Daisy” Spurs361 - 3 Pair of August Buermann “Daisy” Spurs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
All with early “Hand Forged Steel” markings a) Minty blanks with later sterling overlay on both sides. High quality engraving. Swinging buttons with s
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 700.00
Sold to floor for (400.00) = 400.00
 
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Fringed Buckskin Scout Shirt and Pants362 - Fringed Buckskin Scout Shirt and Pants
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Frontiersmen style shirt and pants with embroidered horseshoe on front of the shirt, brass buttons, pinked edges in green trade cloth on native tanned
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (1,600.00) = 1,600.00
 
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E.L. Gallatin & Co. Makers Holster363 - E.L. Gallatin & Co. Makers Holster
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Great early slim jim style holster for the Colt 1851 Navy or will fit a Colt Single Action with a 7 1/2” barrel. Very rare mark of E.L. Gallatin with
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (3,500.00) = 3,500.00
 
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Henry Folscroft, Montrose, Colorado Storage Box364 - Henry Folscroft, Montrose, Colorado Storage Box
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Vintage tooled carrying box, floral pattern panel on front with central W.B.T. initials, edge tooled and line stamped around top. Original carrying st
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 900.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to floor for (1,200.00) = 1,200.00
 
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Hollywood Saddlery Gun Rig365 - Hollywood Saddlery Gun Rig
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Double buscadero style belt and holster rig for 7 1/2” Colt Single Actions. Marked on belt, both holsters and all buckles. The belt has a 1 1/2” sterl
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (2,400.00) = 2,400.00
 
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H.H. Heiser, Denver, Colo. Gun Rig366 - H.H. Heiser, Denver, Colo. Gun Rig
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Holster for 5 1/2” Colt Single Action has studded double loops, deep fancy flower tooling, along with studded edges. Cartridge belt is 2 1/2” with lar
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 700.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to floor for (1,000.00) = 1,000.00
 
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Wells Fargo Express Shotgun367 - Wells Fargo Express Shotgun
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Colt’s Pt F.A. Mfg.Co. 10 gauge hammer gun with 20” barrel. Sideplate marked W.F. Co. #854 on barrel, stock stamped Wells Fargo & Co. also scrat...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,500.00 - 4,500.00
Sold to floor for (2,000.00) = 2,000.00
 
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Lot of 3 Autographed Cowboy Posters to Benefit the National Day of the Cowboy368 - Lot of 3 Autographed Cowboy Posters to Benefit the National Day of the Cowboy
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Fundraiser for the NDOC a) “Cowboy Keepers,” with Zane Mead art, signed by Trevor Brazile, Tuf & Cliff Cooper. 20” x 14”; b) 2008 Original Hatch...
Bidding Has Concluded
 
Sold to floor for (125.00) = 125.00
 
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Peter Becker, Colorado Springs369 - Peter Becker, Colorado Springs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Half seat saddle by Becker circa 1870s. The saddle is well marked in several places, tooled on the rear of the seat. All original except one rosette,
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to floor for (2,250.00) = 2,250.00
 
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Powder River - Denver, Colorado370 - Powder River - Denver, Colorado
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Highly decorative black show saddle with diamond pattern engraved monel plates. Matching 16” tapederos, headstall and martingale. Complete with Texas
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (1,100.00) = 1,100.00
 
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2 Pair of Crockett Spurs371 - 2 Pair of Crockett Spurs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
a) #214 variation with engraved sides on 1 1/8” bands, 2 1/2” shanks holding blunted 2” rowels. 40% of original nickel remaining. Marked on underside
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
Sold to floor for (500.00) = 500.00
 
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2 Pair of Crockett Spurs372 - 2 Pair of Crockett Spurs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
a) #341 Spurs similar to the “Ben Johnson Special” without the tapered band. 1” band with single leaf overlay. Marked under the swinging button. Quali
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 900.00
Sold to floor for (700.00) = 700.00
 
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Misc. Wild West Cowboy Lot373 - Misc. Wild West Cowboy Lot
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
a) Two Pair of fancy studded cowboy cuffs, one pair with Gopher Brand snaps; b) Wild West Show type double buckle leather belt with flower carving and
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (400.00) = 400.00
 
Details...Bookmark
C.P. Shipley Studded Cuffs374 - C.P. Shipley Studded Cuffs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Charles Shipley cuffs with brass studs on edges and in center. Basket- stamped on each edge and marked with Shipley snaps. Good condition with nice co
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold to floor for (250.00) = 250.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Early High Back Visalia Saddle375 - Early High Back Visalia Saddle
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Classic loop seat saddle circa 1900 once ridden by Fred Venzuela on the Daryl Zwain Ranch in Coalinga, Calif. Ex: Andy Anderson collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to hyattbd for (300.00 + 60.00BP) = 360.00
 
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Bona Allen Saddlery Show Saddle Set376 - Bona Allen Saddlery Show Saddle Set
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Flower tooled and mounted with silver and filigreed jewelers bronze decorations. This saddle was traded to famed King’s Saddlery in Sheridan, Wyoming
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 800.00
Sold to floor for (650.00) = 650.00
 
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N. Porter, Phoenix, Arizona Cowgirl Saddle377 - N. Porter, Phoenix, Arizona Cowgirl Saddle
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Smooth brown saddle in excellent condition with steel horn and five line tooling. Wide swells with 12” seat. Well marked and Flying E brand on each fe
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 900.00 - 1,400.00
Sold to floor for (400.00) = 400.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Al Furstnow, Miles City, Saddle378 - Al Furstnow, Miles City, Saddle
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Early, high back, brown Montana saddle is decoratively adorned with carved horseshoes. Very good condition, c. 1910-1920.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (800.00) = 800.00
 
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U.S. McClellen Saddle379 - U.S. McClellen Saddle
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Model of 1904, with U.S. headstall and original 1865 Shoemaker bit. Complete with horsehair cinch, Spalding-marked saddle bags and taps.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to floor for (400.00) = 400.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Visalia Stock Saddle Co. San Francisco380 - Visalia Stock Saddle Co. San Francisco
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Silver mounted brown show saddle with silver plaque on cantle L.P.S. Quilted seat with stitched Visalia, large high domed engraved conchos and corner
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to floor for (2,250.00) = 2,250.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Hamley Saddlery, Pendleton Wooly Chaps381 - Hamley Saddlery, Pendleton Wooly Chaps
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Canvas lined, leather backed lustrous black batwing angora chaps with elegant floral tooling on the regal billet. Superb condition, c. 1920s.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,500.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to floor for (2,500.00) = 2,500.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Salesman Sample Half Scale Saddle382 - Salesman Sample Half Scale Saddle
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Patterned after the finest 19th century San Francisco saddles, this floral carved, high back, slick fork, square skirt miniature was created by award
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (2,750.00) = 2,750.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Tooled Satchel by Brian R. Borrer383 - Tooled Satchel by Brian R. Borrer
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Finely executed in a full coverage flower and leaf pattern by renowned Scottsdale leather artist Borrer, this doctor’s bag style case is 19” long, 10
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,200.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (2,500.00) = 2,500.00
 
Details...Bookmark
5 Sets of Vintage Decorative Longhorns384 - 5 Sets of Vintage Decorative Longhorns
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
A Texas bonanza of horn wall mounts. a) 98” spread with tooled leather center of 2 fighting horses; b) 74” with high quality floral carving on center
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (6,000.00) = 6,000.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Great Vintage Cowboy Kitsch385 - Great Vintage Cowboy Kitsch
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
a) Cowgirl decor wall plaque, sexy pin-up style nude cowgirl in a shiny gold tone finish. 23” tall by 11” wide and 4” deep, seated against a saddle wi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (1,000.00) = 1,000.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Molesworth Style Chandelier386 - Molesworth Style Chandelier
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Contemporary wrought iron and mica teepee ceiling light in the style of Thomas Molesworth. Central carolla of a buffalo hunt is 22” in diameter. The c
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to floor for (2,500.00) = 2,500.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Moose Antler Chandelier387 - Moose Antler Chandelier
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Hanging ceiling light of shed moose antlers with narrow paddles. Overall 52” tall and 56” in diameter. Contemporary craftsmanship in the rustic Adiron
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 1,400.00
Sold to floor for (900.00) = 900.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Thomas Molesworth Fireplace Screen388 - Thomas Molesworth Fireplace Screen
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Lone Cowboy silhouette on three panel screen. 61” x 33” overall with 36” center panel. Black cut-out wrought iron on mesh with riveted frame. Purchase
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 4,000.00 - 5,000.00
Sold to floor for (4,750.00) = 4,750.00
 
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Set of Ivory Poker Chips389 - Set of Ivory Poker Chips
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Set of 90 monogramed poker chips or gaming tokens. Thin with rounded edge, 1 3/8” across. The chips are contained in a carved box with 8 compartments
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (800.00) = 800.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Silver Hip Flask390 - Silver Hip Flask
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Wild western whiskey storage. Front adorned with a cowboy riding a wild bucking bronc. Marked on swing, 10 oz. 2300, PS. Co., 7” x 4 1/2”
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
Sold to floor for (800.00) = 800.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Decorative Cast Eagle Topper391 - Decorative Cast Eagle Topper
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Vintage American Eagle on globe with leaves and berries 11” x 15”, stands 16” tall with its custom stand. Later gold paint applied overall. Circa mid
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (650.00) = 650.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Gold Quartz Accessories392 - Gold Quartz Accessories
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
a) Pair of oval cuff links or shirt buttons, fancy gold lace setting with raised gold insert. The stones are well matched and each have nice color wit
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (800.00) = 800.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Saloon Room Divider or Detractor393 - Saloon Room Divider or Detractor
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Wall unit most likely used in a high end saloon or hotel at the entry or exit to give privacy upon arrival. 6’ wide by 7’ tall with stained glass surr
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,500.00 - 3,500.00
Sold to floor for (2,500.00) = 2,500.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Marked Saloon Doors394 - Marked Saloon Doors
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Early saloon style swinging doors by “The Brunswick Balke Collender Co. Makers Co.” on push plate area, both sides. Double brass bars one side. Insert
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to floor for (600.00) = 600.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Saloon Size Roulette Wheel395 - Saloon Size Roulette Wheel
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Harris & Co New York marked table top wheel, 20” dia. and 5” tall. Walnut and bird’s-eye maple with gold numbering. Missing one nickel separator.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to floor for (1,000.00) = 1,000.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Lot of Two (2) Cody, Wyoming Cowboy Hats396 - Lot of Two (2) Cody, Wyoming Cowboy Hats
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
a) John B. Stetson The Boss – Raw Edge hat bought at Dave Jones, Cody with multicolored 7/8” horsehair hatband with Valley Ranch’s brand lazy JD on a
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 900.00 - 1,400.00
Sold to floor for (700.00) = 700.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Lot of 4 Contemporary Custom Cowboy Boots397 - Lot of 4 Contemporary Custom Cowboy Boots
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
a) Lucchese tall stovepipe two-tone brown with overlaid tops and 4 line stitching, 8 1/2 D, 11” x 16 1/2” tall. Fine condition; b) M.L. Leddy, San Ang
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (400.00) = 400.00
 
Details...Bookmark
H. H. Heiser Bronc Belt398 - H. H. Heiser Bronc Belt
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Wide ( 7”) leather belt with studded edges and 2 stars. Central embossed American eagle. 3 buckle, excellent condition, with HHH rivets and central ca
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 500.00
Sold to floor for (300.00) = 300.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Chet Vogt Concho Belt399 - Chet Vogt Concho Belt
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Sterling silver, gold filled and leather. 30” x 3” wide belt with 5 unique 2 1/2” conchos sporting overlaid western scenes, bucking horse, longhorn, b
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 700.00 - 900.00
Sold to floor for (250.00) = 250.00
 
Details...Bookmark