Denver Old West Auction

Auction Details

Brian Lebel's 23rd Annual Old West Auction will offer 418 lots of fine Western art, antiques, artifacts and collectibles from the 19th through the 21st centuries. The auction will be held live at the Denver Merchandise Mart on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 5pm Mountain time. Some highlights of this year's auction include:

A rare Reward Poster for the arrest of the infamous brothers Frank and Jesse James; a Parker Shotgun that belonged to Frank Butler of Buffalo Bill's Wild West fame; a rare Taber cabinet card of the most famous stagecoach robber of all time, Black Bart; a performance-used Buffalo Bill's Wild West parade flag; a pair of Borein watercolors; original Molesworth furniture and an oil painting by F. Mizen of Wyatt Earp.

The auction also includes antique and historic firearms, Native American art and artifacts, 19th century photography, Western fine art, advertising lithos, saloon and gambling items, spurs, saddles, bits, bridles, boots, books and more.

Fine art offerings include notable deceased and contemporary artists such as Edward Borein, Charlie Russel, Glenna Goodacre, John Banovich, Nick Eggenhofer, Fritz Scholder, Carl Oscar Borg, Dave Powell, Ace Powell, Mehl Lawson, ADM Cooper, Ross Steffan, Gary Niblett, Nicholas Firfires, Raphael Lillywhite, Olaf Seltzer, WHD Koerner, Robert Elwell, Bob Scriver, Eric Michaels, William Acheff, and Gary Earnest Smith.

Cowboy artists and craftsmen include Bill Adamson, Ed Bohlin, GS Garcia, Mario Hanel, Gary Keithly, Kelly Bros., McChesney, Schnitger, Shipley, Chas Weldon, Tad Mizwa and others.

Fine Native American arts and artifacts include beadwork, textiles, baskets, pottery, and quillwork from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Roy Rogers' boots, John Wayne's Nudies hat, Dale Evans' dresses, Tom Mix's hat and Montie Montana's gun are among the "Hollywood Cowboy" offerings. A gold guitar pin given as a gift and inscribed by Elvis is also being sold, as is a personal photo album that belonged to Zane Grey.

Over 200 original photographs from Buffalo Bill's Wild West will be sold (individually and in lots), along with an impressive selection of 19th and early 20th century American photographs.

Historic firearms include train robber Bill Carlisle's revolver, a large collection of early Deringers, a rare and early air gun, a Sharps Buffalo Rifle, and other antique, modern and relic guns.
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Gold Texas Ranger Presentation Badge52 - Gold Texas Ranger Presentation Badge
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Presentation gold badge to Capt. Frank Johnson. 2” x 2” Front engraved “Capt. Frank Johnson – Texas Ranger Force” Reverse “Presented by T. Criscell
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 15,000.00 - 25,000.00
Sold to floor for (22,500.00) = 22,500.00
 
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Jay Banks’ Police Chief Badge53 - Jay Banks’ Police Chief Badge
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Renowned Texas Ranger Jay Banks badge from his time as Chief of Police of Palestine, Texas. Blackinton 2 1/2” 5-point star with applied ribbons on top
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,500.00 - 3,500.00
Sold to rebelsprings for (1,250.00 + 262.50BP) = 1,512.50
 
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Signature of Outlaw Emmett Dalton54 - Signature of Outlaw Emmett Dalton
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Signature of Emmett on title page from book, “When the Daltons Rode”, by Emmett; matted with printed photograph. Emmett Dalton (May 3, 1871 – July 13,
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (900.00) = 900.00
 
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Bat Masterson & Al Jennings Autographs55 - Bat Masterson & Al Jennings Autographs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Two famous westerners on the same clip of paper. Later signature of Masterson and Jennings on book page liberated from the binding. Matted with pages
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (1,000.00) = 1,000.00
 
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Pat Garrett Signed Arrest Warrant56 - Pat Garrett Signed Arrest Warrant
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
c.1882. Original document authorizing prospector and “special officer and detective” William R. Rexford to arrest a murderer in Lincoln County, New Me
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 4,000.00 - 5,000.00
Sold to floor for (3,500.00) = 3,500.00
 
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Historic Personalities, Baca, Garrett Autographs57 - Historic Personalities, Baca, Garrett Autographs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
a) Pat Garrett autograph, pencil on paper, 2 1/4” x 4 1/2” matted and framed with copy of photo and informational plaque. 24 1/2” x 13” overall. b) El
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 900.00 - 1,400.00
Sold to floor for (1,200.00) = 1,200.00
 
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Badge, Photos, Ephemera, Etc. - Charles F. Ashley, Deputy Marshal, Indian Agent58 - Badge, Photos, Ephemera, Etc. - Charles F. Ashley, Deputy Marshal, Indian Agent
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
a) Gold, Deputy United States Marshal Badge. Eagle topped badge with central shield shown as badge #21 in “Badges of the United States Marshals” by Sh
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 10,000.00 - 16,000.00
Sold to floor for (9,000.00) = 9,000.00
 
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Plateau Flat Bag59 - Plateau Flat Bag
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
15 1/2” x 12 1/2” geometric and center arrows on fully beaded front with central rosette. Blue, red, gold, pink and yellow on white field. Cotton or m
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (400.00) = 400.00
 
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Plateau Cornhusk Bag60 - Plateau Cornhusk Bag
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
20 1/2” x 13 1/2” Tree of Life design on front, obverse has colorful geometric patterns. Excellent condition.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (1,000.00) = 1,000.00
 
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Plateau Flat Bag61 - Plateau Flat Bag
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
11 1/2” x 9 1/2” multicolored floral and tulip designs with central heart on blue field, with minor bead loss. Red cotton binding is worn, green trade
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to floor for (250.00) = 250.00
 
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Plateau Cornhusk Bag62 - Plateau Cornhusk Bag
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
20 1/2” x 16 1/2” with row of red connecting diamonds on one side and multicolored rectangles on other. Minor edge damage and wear but overall bright
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to floor for (250.00) = 250.00
 
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Lot of 3 Native Beaded Pouches & Pipe63 - Lot of 3 Native Beaded Pouches & Pipe
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
a) Fringed hide bag with flowing leaf in greens and reds, 4” x 3 3/4” excluding fringe; b) Watch pouch of tanned hide with beaded spinning wheel of bl
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,400.00
Sold to floor for (400.00) = 400.00
 
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Northern Plains Beaded Moccasins64 - Northern Plains Beaded Moccasins
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Bifurcated tongues, green body with red, white and blue beads. Parfleche soles, 11” long, circa 1890.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,200.00 - 1,600.00
Sold to floor for (900.00) = 900.00
 
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Northern Plains Beaded Strip65 - Northern Plains Beaded Strip
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
4 1/2” x 45” green, black and blue leaf design on white background, with woven cloth backing. Circa 1900.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to floor for (800.00) = 800.00
 
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Framed Beaded Native American Artifacts66 - Framed Beaded Native American Artifacts
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
a) Pair of beaded Plateau gauntlets, floral designs in green, blue, red, metal and clear beads on native tanned hide. Fine condition, circa 1910. In p
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to floor for (400.00) = 400.00
 
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Beaded Cree Knife Sheath67 - Beaded Cree Knife Sheath
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Beaded sheath, 9 1/2” long with beaded leather drops on each side. Buffalo hide and seed beads in blue, white, red, pink, green and turquoise. With pe
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 4,000.00 - 5,000.00
Sold to floor for (5,000.00) = 5,000.00
 
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Northern Plains Beaded Sheath68 - Northern Plains Beaded Sheath
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Fine knife case with fret and cross designs in bold blue, light blue and pumpkin seed beads on white background. On buffalo hide. Fringed edge with 6
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to floor for (3,250.00) = 3,250.00
 
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Sioux Man’s Moccasins69 - Sioux Man’s Moccasins
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Green buffalo tracks separated with red stripes. Blue triangles on white. Trade cloth binding on native tanned hide. Hard soles, 9 1/2” long, circa 18
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,200.00 - 1,600.00
Sold to floor for (1,000.00) = 1,000.00
 
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Early Pictorial Panel Gauntlets70 - Early Pictorial Panel Gauntlets
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Blue standing horses on yellow field with multicolored flowers. Dark blue flowers on hand. Good condition with some wear to the fingers. Panels are 6”
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (1,100.00) = 1,100.00
 
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Beaded Cowboy Gauntlets71 - Beaded Cowboy Gauntlets
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Wild West fringed gloves with action-packed bucking horse and cowboy beaded on panels. Darkened and worn fingers, holes on back at rope contact. Flash
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to floor for (2,250.00) = 2,250.00
 
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Apache Basketry Tray72 - Apache Basketry Tray
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
15 1/4” dia. Strong thunderbolt or lightning design with dog figures. 3” deep. Good condition.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,400.00 - 1,600.00
Sold to comanche6 for (2,500.00 + 525.00BP) = 3,025.00
 
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Apache Basketry Tray73 - Apache Basketry Tray
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
12” diameter. Human figures with central star, 2 1/2” deep. Good condition.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,200.00 - 1,600.00
Sold to floor for (900.00) = 900.00
 
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Large Impressive Beaded Gauntlets74 - Large Impressive Beaded Gauntlets
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Pictorial cuffs with blue & white Paint Horses on a bright blue field. Fringe edges, horseshoe stitching on back, and flowers in red, green and ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (2,000.00) = 2,000.00
 
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Apache Figural Basket75 - Apache Figural Basket
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
7 1/2” x 9 1/2” polychrome with vertical diamonds, arrowheads and human figures. Fine condition with some minor rim damage, circa 1920s.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 700.00 - 900.00
Sold to floor for (300.00) = 300.00
 
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Two California Baskets76 - Two California Baskets
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
a) 4” x 7” Northern California, geometric designs. Good condition with some rim damage, circa 1940s; b) 6 1/2” x 2 1/2” Northern California diamond de
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
Sold to floor for (400.00) = 400.00
 
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Two Northern California Baskets77 - Two Northern California Baskets
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
a) 5” x 7” Hupa black and natural in three zone design, very fine weave. Fine condition circa 1930s; b) 4” x 7” Basketry hat, polychrome with half dia
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 700.00 - 900.00
Sold to floor for (1,300.00) = 1,300.00
 
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Two Northern California Winnowing Baskets78 - Two Northern California Winnowing Baskets
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Both 21” x 20” with horizontal bands, made from native material. Fine condition, circa 1920s.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 700.00 - 900.00
Sold to floor for (450.00) = 450.00
 
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Large Apache Olla79 - Large Apache Olla
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
20”(h), 21”(w) whirling log and open cross designs, step pattern and diamond shapes. Good condition with minor stitch loss.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 6,000.00 - 8,000.00
Sold to floor for (3,750.00) = 3,750.00
 
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Figural Olla with Attached Tray80 - Figural Olla with Attached Tray
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
One piece basket, 13 1/4” (h) with 15” diameter tray. Olla throat is 8”. Pair of dogs with geometric and cross designs. Small repair on edge of tray,
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 5,000.00 - 7,000.00
Sold to floor for (4,750.00) = 4,750.00
 
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Navajo Rug81 - Navajo Rug
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
77” x 46” native hand-spun wool with natural colors and aniline dyed red. Modified iron-cross motifs surrounding a large elongated center diamond. Cir
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,200.00 - 1,800.00
Sold to floor for (1,200.00) = 1,200.00
 
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Large Western Mono Basket82 - Large Western Mono Basket
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
16” x 7 1/2” with two checkerboard zigzag bands. Fine condition, circa 1920s.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,200.00 - 1,800.00
Sold to floor for (1,000.00) = 1,000.00
 
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Yokuts Polychrome Basket83 - Yokuts Polychrome Basket
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
14” x 7” with two bands of diamond-back rattlesnake designs. Fine condition, circa 1940s.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,200.00 - 1,800.00
Sold to floor for (1,400.00) = 1,400.00
 
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Navajo Textile84 - Navajo Textile
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
100” x 58” probably Ganado, native hand-spun wool of natural colors and aniline dyed red. Variety of nested, classic design elements on gray backgroun
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,500.00 - 3,500.00
Sold to floor for (1,900.00) = 1,900.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Pictorial Navajo Rug85 - Pictorial Navajo Rug
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
57” x 42” native hand-spun wool with natural colors and aniline dyed tan & black. 10 cows – 8 tan, 2 black – on natural background, circa 1950s ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 700.00
Sold to jmilliron for (2,750.00 + 577.50BP) = 3,327.50
 
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Large Navajo Rug86 - Large Navajo Rug
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
146” x 82” room-sized rug. Vibrant, tricolor, native hand-spun wool blend (sheep and goat mohair) with aniline dyes, in a pattern of nested, serrated
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 4,000.00 - 4,500.00
Sold to floor for (3,300.00) = 3,300.00
 
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Navajo Rug87 - Navajo Rug
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
62” x 48” Crystal, native hand-spun wool in natural colors. Gray diamonds with dark brown serrated borders on cream background. Minor stabilization re
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 700.00 - 900.00
Sold to creekwater for (400.00 + 84.00BP) = 484.00
 
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Frank Schultz Spurs88 - Frank Schultz Spurs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Fancy Spanish style spurs with sterling inlay on both sides of the tapered bands, 2 1/2” cut-out heart rowels and silver accents. Numbered 171 and dat
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,200.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (700.00) = 700.00
 
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Ricarda McCleary Clause Fancy Miniature Bit & Spur Set89 - Ricarda McCleary Clause Fancy Miniature Bit & Spur Set
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Silver overlaid fancy California style spurs with tooled and laced two-tone leathers plus Santa Barbara style spade bit on tooled leather headstall. S
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 900.00
Sold to floor for (1,300.00) = 1,300.00
 
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Ron Bliss Spurs90 - Ron Bliss Spurs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Engraved with deep relief forms, astrology designs, crescent moons, stars, and clouds. Shanks in the form of a Greek Lyre holding a 2 1/4”, 21 point r
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 700.00 - 900.00
Sold to comanche6 for (900.00 + 189.00BP) = 1,089.00
 
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R.F. Ford Silver Mounted Texas Spurs91 - R.F. Ford Silver Mounted Texas Spurs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
1 1/8” bands with 2 1/2” shank, swinging buttons and 2”, 8 point rowels. Marked inside band R. F. Ford San Angelo Tx. No. 1271. 98% of the original br
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 900.00 - 1,100.00
Sold to floor for (900.00) = 900.00
 
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L & M Spurs92 - L & M Spurs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Massive impressive spurs with half mountings on engraved iron, half moon style shanks, stylized bands with silver studs, Kelly Bros. type staple swing
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,500.00 - 3,500.00
Sold to floor for (1,700.00) = 1,700.00
 
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Robert Campbell Bit & Spur Set93 - Robert Campbell Bit & Spur Set
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Modern representation of the Robert McChesney peacock pattern number 34. Full mounted with jewels on feather tips. Bob Anderson straps with Campbell b
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to floor for (1,300.00) = 1,300.00
 
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Bill Adamson Cutting Horse Spurs94 - Bill Adamson Cutting Horse Spurs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Heavy 1 1/4” bands with high relief longhorn mountings on one side and copper spread eagles on other. Sharp crooked shanks with fancy stepped and chas
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to floor for (1,100.00) = 1,100.00
 
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Bill Adamson Gal Leg Spurs95 - Bill Adamson Gal Leg Spurs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Large and impressive Crockett style ladies leg spurs by the renowned Colorado maker featuring 7/8” bands, 3 1/4” long shanks, rowelled chap guard, ext
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to floor for (3,750.00) = 3,750.00
 
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Bill Adamson California Pattern Spurs96 - Bill Adamson California Pattern Spurs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Buddy Foster studded straps. Early outside small Adamson maker’s mark, heart buttons, 18 point rowels, unused condition.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,200.00 - 1,800.00
Sold to floor for (1,500.00) = 1,500.00
 
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Rex Schnitger Spurs97 - Rex Schnitger Spurs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Classic Wyoming spurs with exaggerated split Cheyenne heelband, 1 3/4”, 16 point rowels on 2 1/2” shanks, 5/8” wide inlaid bands. Early plains style b
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to floor for (2,050.00) = 2,050.00
 
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Eddie Hulbert - Valley Ranch Spurs98 - Eddie Hulbert - Valley Ranch Spurs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
One of the most famous of the sought-after Hulbert spurs. Inlaid on one side “Valley Ranch” and the other “MEP”. The Valley brand, “Lazy JD” on strap
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 12,000.00 - 14,000.00
Sold to floor for (10,000.00) = 10,000.00
 
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Sterling Mounted Parade Saddle99 - Sterling Mounted Parade Saddle
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Unmarked, covered with finely engraved conchos, added crescent moons, stars and diamonds. 16” covered swells, 15” padded seat, rounded skirts, tapader
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 4,000.00 - 7,000.00
Sold to floor for (3,500.00) = 3,500.00
 
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Sterling & 14K gold Longhorn Buckle100 - Sterling & 14K gold Longhorn Buckle
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Circa 1950s, 3-color 14K gold buckle measuring 2 1/2” x 3 3/4” heavy gauge sterling silver with green and rose gold raised flower and vine pattern sur
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to floor for (3,250.00) = 3,250.00
 
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Ralph Buell’s Trophy Buckle101 - Ralph Buell’s Trophy Buckle
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
“Bareback Champion - Boston Garden 1959” Oval rope edge buckle in sterling and 10K gold by Harry Rowell of Hayward, California.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to floor for (2,500.00) = 2,500.00
 
Details...Bookmark