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Antique Etched Panel Colt SAA Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:12,000.00 USD Estimated At:12,000.00 - 18,000.00 USD
Antique Etched Panel Colt SAA Revolver
Auction Location:

16600 Aston Street
Irvine, CA
Antique Etched Panel Colt Single Action Army Revolver, belonging to Wells Fargo Detective John W. Thacker, #123079, .44-40 cal., 4-3/4'' barrel with two-line barrel address, case hardened frame, fire blued screws and small parts, with factory checkered hard rubber eagle grips. Left forward triggerguard bow marked ''44 Cal''. Originally shipped in 1887 to Red Lodge, MT, this revolver became the personal property of Wells Fargo Detective John W. Thacker, whose name is neatly scratched beneath the ejector rod housing. Inside of grips are marked ''BCMT'' and ''WF&Co''. John Kopec speculates in a December 2, 1974 letter that these initials most likely mean ''Bozeman County, Montana Territory'', as the gun was shipped in 1887 and Montana became a state in 1889. Notes on this letter reference a telephone conversation with noted Colt collector Ron Graham, who has run across quite a few obviously factory error-numbered frames and small parts. The details of this revolver are discussed in length in William Dalrymple's book ''Historical Hartford Hardware - Historic Colts'', c. 1976 by Colt Collector Press. Thacker was known as the ''Train Robber's Nemesis'' and at various times tracked Black Bart, George Green, and Dick Myers. Other sources indicate Thacker as being well known in Tombstone, AZ, but little is noted of his actions there. One incident, however, was when he was called upon to investigate the killing of Curly Bill by Wyatt Earp. Condition is very good to fine retaining approx. 80%-85% original blue with clear etched panel, toning to cylinder, and very light toning and silvering to case hardened frame. Grips with mild flattening. Action is good, bore is good. A scarce good condition etch panel with western history. Est.: $12,000-$18,000. (Antique)