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Early historic Texas Colt single action

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Western Americana Start Price:0.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
Early historic Texas Colt single action
Approx. 400+ items to be sold. Watch for new items uploaded weekly.
HELD AT The Lodge at Deadwood
Event Center
877-393-5634
DEADWOOD, SD. 57732
hotel, bar,casino attached

with original WT Roe marked holster, belonged to Deputy US Marshal, deputy sheriff and murderer Henry P Purnell and so engraved. Born in 1852 to Thomas Fassitt Purnell, appointed the first US Marshal of the western district of Texas after the civil war by President Grant, his office located on Congress Ave in Austin. All 3 of his sons, Henry, Tom, and Ed served with him as US Marshals. In 1873 US Marshal Purnell escorted defeated Governor candidate Edmund Jackson Davis out of the Texas capitol after refusing to acknowledge the election results; this later led to a gunfight on Congress Ave, with Thomas Purnell losing his left arm. After Henry's term as a US Marshal records show he later was deputy Sheriff in Austin in 1885 and engaged to ex-governor Elisha Pease's daughter Julian. After getting kicked in the head by a mule, Hentry began acting strange and was admitted to the Texas Lunatic Asylum in Terrell Texas, late 1885. In 1891 he was declared cured, which angered him because he wanted to stay. 6 weeks later he returned with a borrowed double barrel shotgun and and killed Superintendent Dr WW Reeves, father of 5. Henry turned himself in and was jailed for the murder. During the trial Henry gave no motive and was found insane. He was admitted back into the asylum in 1892 and stayed in solitary confinement until his death from TB in 1909. Julian Pease never married and visited Purnell often. Revolver shows very good condition with 7 1/2" barrel, .45cal, nickel finish, ivory carved grips, bottom of backstrap engraved H. P. Purnell made in 1875. Factory letter confirms barrel, caliber, finish, the stocks not listed, shipped to Spies, Kissam & Co, New York in a 10 gun shipment. Nickel shows period refinished, 75%-80% remaining, ivory grips fine with no loss or repairs, 3 kill notches on left side. Action very good, bore frosty with strong rifling. Original WT Roe, Austin, Texas holster is well marked, toe plug intact, fine condition with no repairs or alterations, cartridge belt good to very good. Featured on the cover of "Colts from Texas", includes notarized affidavit from Henry's great nephew Thomas A Purnell, 1983, retired San Antonio detective and investigator, Colt factory letter, reproduced photo of Henry Purnell with horse, loan agreement from US Marshal Service-Smithsonian Institute to Gary Helin for use in 1989 museum exhibit commemorating bicentennial of the Marshals, copyright of the Purnell story filed by Gary Helin and various other pieces. Est. 10000-20000