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Dodge City Mayor’s Colt & Important Papers

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Historical Memorabilia Start Price:100.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
Dodge City Mayor’s Colt & Important Papers
Colt Single Action used by A.B. Webster, Mayor and Marshal of Dodge City and the cause of the "Peace Commission" of Charles E. Bassett, Wyatt Earp, Frank McLane, Neal Brown, W.H. Harris, Luke Short and Bat Masterson. One of the most well-known and historic personalities of the famous Old Cow Town.
The Colt is serial #60799, all matching numbers, .45 caliber, barrel adjusted to 4 3/4” with muzzle wear, good to very good bore with oxidation close to muzzle, 30% nickel remains overall, cylinder vigorously cleaned, 1-piece ivory grips not original to revolver. Although revolver shows DFC inspection marks, and letters to the U.S. Government, it appears to have been sold on the civilian market; possibly a "buy-back" or one of the revolvers issued to militias then traded to Shuyler, Hartley & Graham for other equipment much to Colt’s dissatisfaction.
A scrapbook filled with articles, clippings and photos relating to Webster, Ham Bell or Dodge City.
A quote from the newspaper:
Here on July 23, 1869, A. B. Webster, later Mayor and Marshal of Dodge City, shot and killed Joe Weiss, variously referred to as "formerly of Leavenworth Prison" and "Deputy U.S. Marshal". Sam Strawhim and Weiss came here after Webster had served them vigilantes notices to leave town. They began roughing up Webster, who was too fast for them. Strawhim escaped, only to be killed four months later by "Wild Bill".
Probably the best story is the one where Webster, the owner of the Alamo Saloon in Dodge City, became concerned about the revenue he was losing to the proprietor of the Long Branch Saloon Luke Short, and ran him out of town. Doing this made Luke call his old friends Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson and others, who convinced Webster it would be wise to take Luke back into Dodge.
Many interesting papers included in the scrap books involving gunfights, lawmen, etc.
The original affidavit with signature of J. E. Rouse of Hays, Kansas is included and has also been laminated.
Papers in the collection were given to current estate by Mr. Blackburn of Arizona in 1956.

Provenance on Colt: Ex wife of A. B. Webster to Dr. F. M. Wilson (her second husband) to J. E. Rouse through the family to the present owner.