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Historic Smith & Wesson .44 Double Action First Model Revolver Once Belonging to Infamous Outlaw Emm

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:7,500.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
Historic Smith & Wesson .44 Double Action First Model Revolver Once Belonging to Infamous Outlaw Emm
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Historic Smith & Wesson .44 Double Action First Model Revolver Once Belonging to Infamous Outlaw Emmett Dalton with Documentation

This S&W .44 Double Action First Model Revolver is documented as having once been the personal property of infamous outlaw Emmett Dalton. The Dalton Gang is now considered the last of the great frontier outlaw gangs that stalked the lawless American West. According to Emmett Dalton, the raid on Coffeyville and its audacious simultaneous two bank hold up was Bob Dalton's attempt to one-up the reputation of Jesse James and the James & Younger gang. Interesting enough Grat, Emmett and Bob Dalton served on the right side of the law prior to becoming criminals, serving as Deputy Marshals. Emmett worked as a member of some of his brothers posses, but for the most part he earned a living as a cowboy on the Bar X Bar Ranch near the Pawnee Agency. Working there he met two of the gangs future members and met future gang members working at nearby ranches. The gang made a living from robbing trains before planning the famous "Coffeyville Raid" which proved to be the gangs Waterloo. Around 9:30 am five members of the Dalton Gang (Grat, Emmett, and Bob Dalton, Bill Power and Dick Broadwell) rode into Coffeyville, Kansas with the plan of making outlaw history by robbing two banks at the same time. The plan was doomed from the beginning, the hitching post where they intended to tie the horses had been torn down because of road work and they were forced to tie the horses in a nearby alley, which proved to be a fatal mistake. Since Coffeyville was the Dalton's hometown two of the Dalton's wore fake beards and wigs to disguise their identity, however were immediately recognized by townspeople as they crossed the town plaza and split up to enter the First National Bank and The C.M. Condon Bank. People also watched from the front windows of the banks and saw the gang pulling their guns. Someone on the street hollered "The bank is being robbed" and citizens quickly armed themselves and began taking up firing positions. The ensuing gun battle lasted less than 15 minutes and when the smoke settled 4 citizens lay dead, three gang members were dead in the alley, Grat and Bob Dalton and Bill Power, Dick Broadway was found dead along the road about a half mile out of town and Emmett was captured. The alley where they tied the horses became know as "Alley of Death" and the event made the small town of Coffeyville Kansas famous. Emmett Dalton, who was serious wounded with 23 slugs removed from his body, was sent to prison, paroled in 1907 and died in 1937. After serving time, Emmett lived the rest of his life capitalizing off his notoriety. He authored books and become an actor in Hollywood. The infamous outlaw Emmett Dalton was a patient of Dr. Tilman H. McLaughlin in Hollywood, California, circa 1920s-1930s and this revolver was given by Dalton to Dr. McLaughlin as payment for services rendered. The revolver was inherited by McLaughlin's daughter and later passed on to his grandson, Merrill H. Deal, Jr. This is documented by a notarized statement from the grandson's wife, Marilyn K. Deal and is dated August 24, 2011. The following items pertaining to Dr. McLaughlin are also included: a photocopy of his business card listing him as a physician and surgeon from Hollywood, California, a short biography of the doctor, a 1902 commencement program of his graduation from medical school, and four photographs of the doctor. The included S&W factory letter (which is now framed) confirms the serial number and nickel finish and was originally shipped with a 6 1/2 inch barrel (barrel is currently 5 inches and is numbered to the gun and does not appear to have been shortened). The revolver was shipped from the factory on October 3, 1887 and delivered to M.W. Robinson, New York City. The barrel rib is stamped with the two line address/patent dates marking. Matching numbers are found on the butt, cylinder, barrel latch and barrel. Nickel plated with casehardened hammer and trigger, blue trigger guard and fitted with checkered S&W embossed grips.

Manufucture: Smith & Wesson
Model: 1 First Issue
BBL: 5 inch solid
Stock:
Guage: 44 S&W
Finish: nickel
Grips: hard rubber
Serial Number: 17887

Very fine. The revolver retains 85% original nickel finish showing flaking which as aged to a brown. The hammer and trigger retain 50% of the original case colors. The well worn grips are good. Mechanically fine. A great piece of history that once belonged to the infamous outlaw and only survivor of the Dalton Gang, Emmett Dalton!