1184

Documented New York Engraved Colt Black Powder Single Action Army Revolver Attributed by W. Parker L

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Hand Guns - Revolvers Start Price:25,000.00 USD Estimated At:50,000.00 - 75,000.00 USD
Documented New York Engraved Colt Black Powder Single Action Army Revolver Attributed by W. Parker L
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Documented New York Engraved Colt Black Powder Single Action Army Revolver Attributed by W. Parker Lyon to Outlaws Bill Doolin and Emmett Dalton from the Red Skelton Estate

Manufactured in 1886. According to the consignor this revolver once belonged to the infamous outlaw Bill Doolin who gave the revolver to another infamous outlaw, Emmett Dalton. Dalton gave the revolver to W. Parker Lyon to put in a museum collection, and after Lyon died the revolver passed to Nevada casino pioneer and founder of Harrah's Hotel and Casinos, Bill Harrah and then to Harrah's friend Red Skelton, a popular American comedian from the late 1930s to the early 1970s. The revolver has been consigned by the Skelton family. The display case with the revolver has a photograph of Dalton presenting the revolver to Lyon and a plaque that reads, "RED/For your Collection/Bill Harrah/JANUARY 3, 1960". An included letter on Emmett Dalton stationery reiterates the first part of the provenance of this revolver and identifies the revolver as "metal engraved no 117089". Writing to W. Parker Lyon, Emmett Dalton states that "this revolver was left at my home for repairs by Bill Doolin, the famous Oklahoma outlaw. Doolin had just broken jail at Guthrie Okla and took all the prisoners out with him - about 12 or 14". The jail break that Dalton is referring to happened on July 5, 1896. William "Bill" Doolin (1858-1896) was the founder of the outlaw gang the Wild Bunch that operated in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas during the 1890s. Doolin occasionally joined forces with the Dalton brothers as he traveled throughout the West robbing banks and trains, selling illegal whisky to Native Americans, rustling cattle and horses and killing several men. Some historians have named Doolin as the sixth gang member who participated in the ill-fated attempt by the Dalton Gang to rob two banks simultaneously in Coffeyville, Kansas. 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. 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 on October 5, 1892 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. 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, four gang members were dead and Emmett was captured. Emmett Dalton, who was seriously wounded with 23 slugs removed from his body, was sent to prison, paroled in 1907 and died in 1937. Speculation to this day indicates that there was a sixth member in the alley holding the horses who escaped and this sixth member was Bill Doolin. Note that Emmett Dalton is in jail at the time when Doolin made his escape from a jail cell in Guthrie, Oklahoma, on July 5, 1896 and is said to have left this revolver in Emmett's home. Four years after the Coffeyville Raid, Doolin was arrested by the famous Oklahoma lawman William Tilghman but as stated, escaped from jail. A few weeks later, Doolin was killed in a shoot out with lawmen in Lawson, Oklahoma. The top of the barrel has the two line address surrounded by a two line and dot border. The left side of the frame has the three line, three patent date marking and the left side of the trigger guard is marked "45 CAL". The barrel and frame sides have a typical New York style scroll engraving with a sun burst pattern on the recoil shield and loading lever. The cylinder has a sun burst pattern between the flutes and a wavy line and dot pattern at the rear. A zig-zag line and dot motif is featured on the ejector housing, trigger guard and back strap and a wavy line and dot pattern is featured on the top strap. Matching serial number on the frame and grip straps. Fitted with two piece bone grips.

Manufucture: Colt
Model: Single Action Army
BBL: 4 3/4 inch round
Stock:
Guage: 45 Long Colt
Finish: nickel
Grips: bone
Serial Number: 117089

Fine. The revolver retains 40% of the period New York applied nickel finish with a smooth gray patina on the balance with some light pitting. The engraving and markings are crisp. The period undersized bone grips are good. Action needs work as hammer does not hold a full cock position.