SOLD
127,000.00USD+ (25,400.00) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2016 May 14 @ 14:55UTC-7 : PDT/MST
Did you win this lot?
A full invoice should be emailed to the winner by the auctioneer within a day or two.
If you want to view an enlarged image, click on the thumbnail image in the lower left of the main image.
You can download a higher resolution image by clicking on the title below the enlarged image.
You can request extra images to be added by contacting HWAC at uwe@fhwac.com or by calling 775-851-1859
THE EXCEPTIONAL and HISTORIC GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER INDIAN CAPTURE SHARPS MODEL 1859 CARBINE of CHEYENNE CHIEF BLACK KETTLE – A CLASSIC TROPHY of WAR from THE CUSTER FAMILY COLLECTION and a NATIONAL TREASURE
Serial No 68457. .52 caliber percussion breech-loader, 20-inch round barrel, standard maker, address and patent markings on barrel, breech and tang. Standard sights. Walnut stock embellished with tacks, more profusely on the right side, with less complex décor on the left side, consisting of seven-tack border to the buttplate (six of iron, one at center of brass, and of six iron and one brass to rear of the saddle ring bar), and in configuration like an arrowhead pointing to the buttplate.
Condition: Very good. With wear and patina to iron and brass. The stock with signs of use. Condition considered the state at the time of capture by Custer at the Battle of the Washita, November 27, 1868.
Note: Ongoing research includes the 54-page monograph The George Armstrong Custer Indian Capture Carbine A Classic Trophy of War, by Fred N. Holabird and R.L. Wilson (2016). Additional research since that publication provides further confirmation of the attribution of No. 68457 to Black Kettle personally, as well as to its status as a trophy taken by Custer at the Battle of the Washita, November 27, 1868.
The Holabird Americana website provides ample evidence pointing to Custer’s capture of the Carbine and to the death of Black Kettle. The monograph, The George Armstrong Custer Indian Capture Carbine A Classic Trophy of War, is presented on the Holabird Americana website at the following address: http://holabirdamericana.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Custer-booklet-small-pdf.pdf
On-going research on Custer Capture Black Kettle Sharps will be added to the website as new information is vetted.
Basic facts in the documentation are as follows:
1. Provenance (p 39 of monograph):
The Sharps Model 1859 Carbine No. 68457 comes from the G.A. Custer family, with the lineage as follows:
Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer (1868-76)
Nevin Custer (b. 1842-d.1915)
James C. Custer ?(b. 1871-d.1954)?
Charles A. Custer ?(b. 1910-d.1992)?
Elsie Olander Custer (b. 1912-d.1986).
Then by gift from Elsie Olander Custer to:
Richard A. Reyes (c. 1922-d.2009; received Custer Capture Carbine prior to 1986).
Garr R. Reyes (b. 1950- ); received Custer Capture Carbine on death of his father, 2009.
2. G.A. Custer kills Black Kettle, takes trophies.
Evidence presented on pages 28-30 of the monograph.
Conclusion of author T.J. Stiles (Custer’s Trials, p. 324) stating: “It is an inescapable fact that Custer killed the leading Southern Cheyenne peace advocate [Chief Black Kettle].”
3. Custer’s trophies from the Washita.
Detailed on pages 31 to 34.
Extremely important note in T.J. Stiles’ Custer’s Trials, p. 323, which led to the Detroit Free Press article of June 10, 1869, entitled “Custer Relics.” Therein the editor had reported that Custer had presented to the Detroit Audubon Club: “An assortment of Indian Relics which were obtained by me [G.A. Custer] at and after the battle of Washita, November 27, 1868.”
Custer went on to state in his correspondence with the Detroit Audubon Club: “Permit me to present . . . the accompanying Indian curiosities, obtained by me during the campaign of last winter.”
Quoting further from p. 32 of the monograph:
“The relics consisted of a shield, squaw’s dress, bow and quiver full of arrows, saddle, and scalp. The shield was oval, about 30 x 24”, made of buffalo hide and adorned with all kinds of feathers. The squaw’s dress was ‘beaded all around’. The bow was ‘finely made, well strung; with arrows about two feet long, ‘feathered and barbed’ . . . some of them covered with blood.’ The quiver was made of buffalo hide. Custer saved the best of the relics (that he gave them) for last:
The scalp [10” long] is that of Little Rock, [who] was killed at the battle of Washita . . . [he] was second in rank to Black Kettle.
Because of the peaceful nature of Chief Black Kettle, it is logical that Custer himself was reluctant to reveal his additional trophy, of the Chief’s Sharps Model 1859 Carbine, No. 68457, or the fact that he had been Black Kettle’s killer.
4. Other trophies taken by Custer are detailed on pages 35-36. Note the statement by the coauthors: “ . . . Custer was a master artifact collector, and he would absolutely have saved the most important artifact for himself, the gun of the great Chief Black Kettle.”
5. The number of times Custer was photographed with firearms is confirmation of his keen arms interests. Further, the photograph on p. 5 of the monograph shows portions of his arms collection in the right corner gun rack of the Custer residence at Fort Lincoln. Further, the monograph’s Chapter 2 (pp. 39-44) presents an inventory of known firearms from G.A. Custer’s collection. His prowess as a hunter and sportsman is also tied in with his firearms interests. These enthusiasms extended beyond their significance as “tools of the trade.”
6. Richard Reyes recognized the Custer Black Kettle Capture Sharps Carbine as the most important Custer item in his collection. This is proven not only because the Sharps was a special gift to him from Elsie Olander Custer, but that it was the prized gift from her - which he refused to sell on many occasions. Among the items which Richard Reyes had sold, consistently retaining the Sharps, were Custer’s Holy Bible, a Third Division battle flag, and some of Custer’s epaulets and uniform buttons. Quoting from p. 49 of the monograph: “Reyes proudly displayed his iconic Custer Sharps Carbine over the years to all of the collectors he knew, turning down serious cash offers on a regular basis. It was never for sale, a permanent fixture in the Reyes Arms Collection.”
The stock’s special marks suggest rare ethnological and pictographic indicators of important information, names and Indian warrior and leadership societies. These are the subject of on-going interpretation, and the brass and iron tacks are also considered to be signatures and indicators with special significance.
Description written by R.L. ("Larry") Wilson
ID# 38059
Auction Location:
3555 Airway Drive Suite 308, Reno, Nevada, 89511, United States
Previewing Details:
Preview will be at our Auction Location, 3555 Airway Drive Suite 309 Reno, NV 89511
On Thursday, May 12, 10:00 am to 5:00pm at HWAC or by appointment.
Please call 775-851-1859
Nevada State Sales Tax
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| NSST |
7.75% |
Nevada Sales Tax |
| INS |
1% |
Insurance |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
23% |
Additional Fees:
| Fee | Amount | Applicable Locations | Applied To |
| Handling fee |
5.00
|
Not Applicable
|
This fee applies to the total of the invoice
|
Shipping Details:
We ship all lots direct from our facilities via USPS Priority Mail of FedEx ground. Other arrangements can be made at buyers expense.
IN ORDER TO GET INVOICES OUT PROMPTLY SHIPPING IS ESTIMATED. FOR LARGER ITEMS/INVOICES, WE MAY NEED TO RE-INVOICE YOU
FOR EXTRA SHIPPING CHARGES.
Payment Details:
Due on receipt of invoice.
If paying by credit card or check please call our office at 775-851-1859 to arrange payment.
Accepted Payment Methods:
- VISA
- Master Card
- AMEX
- Discover
- Money Order/Bank Draft
- Check/Cheque
- COD (cash on delivery)
- PayPal
- See Payment Details
- Wire Transfer
Cowboys & Indians & Miners
Absentee Bidding will end
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Internet bids accepted any time
Terms and Conditions
1. This is a Live Auction conducted by Holabird’s Western Americana Collections (HWAC).
2. Live (Floor) Bidding: Please arrive a few minutes early to check in and receive your bidding paddle. We will open lots with more than one bid at the current high absentee bid or 50% of the low estimate at the auctioneer’s discretion. Please be sure to bid on the correct lots during the live auction. Our auction progress is at a rate of between 100 and 200 lots per hour. When the auctioneer says “sold”, he will identify the successful bidder by number and announce the winning bid amount. If you are not sure whether you won the lot or not, it is your responsibility to ask for clarification immediately. Auctioneer reserves the right to reopen the lot in the case of an immediate dispute at the actual time of the sale.
3. Telephone Bidding: Telephone bidding requests MUST be scheduled prior to this auction. If you do not schedule in advance, and choose instead to call on the day of the auction to request a line for bidding, you may find that we are unable to accommodate your request. Please limit your telephone bids to items of value greater than $500, or to a string of items with a similar total.
4. Agent Bidding: There are numerous professional agents available to assist you should you require this service. Please contact the office for a list or to arrange for representation on the floor during the live auction. HWAC is not responsible for any acts or omissions by agents acting on behalf of bidders at our auctions.
5a. Live Auction Absentee Bidding: Absentee bids for the live auction MUST be received by 5pm pacific time the day before the auction. Bids accepted after the cutoff time will be represented live only if an agent is available and will not be considered absentee or given first priority as such. It is your responsibility to submit all lot numbers and bid amounts accurately. Absentee bids should be equal to at least 50% of the low estimate if an estimate is provided. Bids on “No Lots” or “Withdrawn” Lots are considered no-bids. Bids made in amounts that do not conform to the bid increment table in item 8 below will be automatically rounded up or down by the computer, or rounded to the nearest proper bid increment at the discretion of the auctioneer. Absentee bids are entered into a computer which will bid live on your behalf at the auction. Absentee bids will compete live against other absentee bids, live internet bidders, floor bidders and phone bidders.
5b. NEW BIDDERS: Bidders unknown to us must provide commercial references or a deposit of 25% of the amount to be bid in order for the auction staff to execute bids. Deposits will be credited towards lots won and any balance will be refunded within 10 business days after the auction has concluded. New online users will be given a spending limit at their initial request. In order to increase this limit, you may be required to provide a letter of authorization from your bank in addition to providing references. Please contact our office at any time if you have questions regarding spending limits or references required to bid.
6. Internet Bidding: Absentee and Live internet bidding are both available through our live auction network. If you wish to bid LIVE via the internet, you MUST pre-register. A live video and sound feed will be accessible during the auction for those bidding via the internet. Online bidding remains open through the live auction and online absentee bids may be placed anytime. Live bidding will open when the auction starts. Internet bidding is offered as a convenience for those who cannot attend the live sale. Please note that there may be delays or interruptions in internet connectivity that are beyond our control. Attending the live auction or arranging for an agent is the most reliable way to secure your bids.
WARNING: Auction participation through the live internet bidding site is not 100% foolproof. The technology for this process is still under development, and the operation of it and the corresponding internet connectivity issues are far beyond our control. Some folks have attempted to use the live internet bidding process as their primary method of bidding, and have been quite successful. Others have failed completely. Depending upon your computer, server, host, and other factors, internet signals may be delayed, such that bids may not be received in time. We cannot be held responsible for these delays, or for the lack of placed bids in a timely manner, or any other factors leading to unaccepted bids that are far beyond our control. Bidders should always have a backup plan for lots they highly desire. Live participation is best, followed by phone participation. We will not reopen lots for missed bids.
7. Reserves: Most of the lots in this auction are unreserved. Gold is generally reserved at or near spot, though it could be slightly below spot.
8. Bidding Increments: All bids must be submitted in U.S. dollars and in whole dollar amounts only in the appropriate increments as outlined below. If you choose to submit bids in an increment not listed below, your bid will be rounded to the nearest increment and you will be expected to pay the amount to which the bid was rounded should your bid be the winning bid. If you have any questions about an appropriate bid amount, please call us.
From: To: Increment:
$1 $95 $5
$100 $190 $10
$200 $475 $25
$500 $1,450 $50
$1,500 $3,400 $100
$3,500 $9,750 $250
$10,000 $30,000 $500
$30,000 UP $1000
9. Bid Reduction: All winning absentee bids will be reduced, if necessary, to the next bidding increment up from the last competing bid, as long as the minimum bid requirement has been met. For example, if you submit an absentee bid of $1000 and the next highest competing bid is $250, then you will win the lot for $275.
10. Bid Information: Collectors often ask in advance the price level of a particular lot. We will give out the current high absentee bid until we close the day before the live auction. You may also view absentee bids online at www.holabirdamericana.com. While we try to update the absentee bids as often as necessary, bids received close to the bidding deadline might not be reflected online, and we disclaim any responsibility for any bids made in reliance upon inaccuracies on our website.
11. Bid Cancellation: If you wish to cancel or change a bid after you have submitted your bids to us due to an error, you MUST PHONE us to advise us of this. Bid cancellations through mail, email, or fax are not advisable. Errors are easy to make and we are happy to assist all callers.
12. All stock certificates, checks, warrants, and other financial documents sold herein are sold as antiquities, and have no financial, securities, or public trading value whatsoever.
13. We reserve the right to reject any bid we feel is not made in good faith.
14. The placing of a bid shall constitute the bidder’s acceptance of these terms of sale.
15. Buyer’s Premium: There will be a 20% Buyer’s Premium added to each lot. US coins, nuggets, and bullion are calculated at a 15% buyer’s premium. These premiums include a 3% discount on the buyer’s premium for transactions paid with cash, checks, money orders or wire transfers. All other forms of payment are not subject to the 3% discount and the Buyer’s Premium will be calculated at 23% (18% on US coins, gold, & currency.)
16. Sales Tax: Sales tax will apply, according to state law, for any items that ship to or is picked up in Nevada (7.725%) unless a current, valid resale certificate is faxed to us at 775-851-1834 before bids are placed.
17. Invoicing: Shipping charges will be added to all invoices. Invoices are mailed or emailed within two business days after the close of all portions of the sale. Within 15 calendar days of receipt of invoice, payment is due in full to Holabird’s Western Americana Collections, 3555 Airway Dr., #308, Reno, NV 89511. Sales tax will be added to all sales picked-up after the auction or shipped to Nevada addresses, according to state law, unless a resale certificate is provided.
18. Payment: We accept Visa, Master Card, Discover, Money Order/Cashier’s Check, Personal Check or PayPal. A 3% cash discount is automatically calculated to the Buyer’s Premium on all sales. That discount will be reversed if payment is made with a credit card or through PayPal. To pay via PayPal or CC, you must contact our offices beforehand. All returned checks are subject to a $25 fee. Cash received in amounts greater than $10,000 is subject to the filing of IRS form 8300, as required by law.
19. Shipping: Shipping will be estimated prior to invoicing, based on the size and weight of your purchase. All shipping will result in a minimum charge of $19.00. Additional shipping fees may be invoiced separately. The buyer is responsible for arranging and paying for shipment of large or special items. A $5 handling fee will be included in the shipping charge. The customer is responsible for all shipping charges. We do not ship any purchases until the auction invoice is paid in full. Purchases will be shipped via our approved, insured carriers: Federal Express or the US Postal Service. All items shipped Federal Express or USPS will be insured for the full value determined at auction by HWAC at no extra cost to the buyer. Federal Express shipments will be sent the Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday following receipt of payment. Pick up is available from our Reno office the next business day after the auction. NOTE: Some shipments (of unusual size, dimension, or weight) may require special handling for which individual costs will be calculated and applied to the shipping charge on the invoice.
20. Non-Payment: HWAC reserves the right to cancel any invoice not paid in full within 15 days. A cancelled invoice does not relieve the bidder from their obligation to pay seller fees and buyer’s premiums compensating HWAC for its services in conducting the auction. Interest shall run on all outstanding balances at the highest rate permitted by law. HWAC shall have a lien against the merchandise purchased by the bidder, and any other of bidder’s property then held by HWAC or its affiliates, to secure payment of the invoice, and with respect thereto HWAC shall have all the rights of a secured creditor under the Nevada Commercial Code, including but not limited to the right of sale. HWAC may sell the lot(s) securing the invoice to any underbidders in the auction that the lot(s) appeared, or at subsequent private or public sale, or relist the lot(s) in a future auction conducted by HWAC. A defaulting bidder agrees to pay for the reasonable costs of resale (including a 10% seller’s commission, if consigned to an auction conducted by HWAC). The defaulting bidder is liable to pay any difference between his or her total original invoice for the lot(s), plus any applicable interest, and the net proceeds for the lot(s) if sold at private sale or the subsequent hammer price of the lot(s) less the 10% seller’s commissions, if sold at an HWAC auction. If HWAC refers any invoice to an attorney for collection, the bidder agrees to pay attorney’s fees, court costs, and other collection costs incurred by HWAC. Any bidder who fails to follow the terms of payment will be reported to icollector and may be barred from participating in future Holabird’s Western Americana auctions.
21. Condition: We strongly recommend that you attend the live preview to see lots in their entirety. Conditions are not always noted, and large lots may not be itemized due to catalog restraints. For questions, detailed information, or additional images of any lot please contact our office at 775-851-1859. Bidders are responsible for understanding the condition of items. Conditions noted are subjective, and may differ in the opinion of different people or collectors.
22. Return Policy: All items are guaranteed to be authentic unless otherwise noted. If authenticity is challenged, please call our office for assistance. You may return any piece that was significantly inaccurately described by calling our office within 15 days of receipt of item(s) and notifying us of the error and reason for return. We do not refund postage or insurance. We have attempted to describe the items and their condition accurately. If no condition is given, assume average. Please call us if you require a more specific condition report. Any items that are returned must be returned in the exact, unaltered condition. NGC certified tokens that are returned must be original, unaltered NGC holders. Any tokens removed from the original NGC/NCS certification holders or items returned in an altered condition are deemed not returnable under any circumstances. When we receive your bids we will assume you have read the description in the catalog, viewed the image of the item, have contacted us regarding any questions you may have on any lot and/or have previewed the lot in person. Therefore, returns are only accepted if prior approval is given by Holabird’s Western Americana Collections.
23. This sale is being held under the laws of the state of Nevada, without reference to choice of law rules.
24. HWAC shall not be held responsible for any problem due to the bidders failure to follow the rules, terms and conditions of this sale, or any failure to bid due to the loss of the online auction process provided by any of the online auction networks; or missed bids, changed bids or cancelled due the bidders failure to follow the proper bidding procedure outlined herein.
25. By placing a bid or otherwise participating in the auction, Bidder accepts these Terms and Conditions, and specifically agrees to the dispute resolution provided herein.
26. HWAC shall not be responsible for consequential damages, incidental damages, compensatory damages, or any other damages arising or claimed to be arising from the auction on any lot. Bidder’s sole remedy for any proven act or omission shall be rescission of sale and refund of the amount paid by Bidder.
27. Any claim, dispute, or controversy in connection with, relating to and/or arising out of the Auction, participation in the Auction, award of lots, damages of claims to lots, descriptions, condition reports, provenance, estimates, return and warranty rights, any interpretation of these Terms and Conditions, any alleged verbal modification of these Terms and Conditions and/or any purported settlement shall be exclusively heard by, and the parties consent to exclusive in personal jurisdiction of, the Superior Court of Washoe County, Nevada. THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY. Any claim must be brought within one (1) year of the auction from which the claim arose or the claim is waived. In every case, the prevailing party shall be entitled to an award of its attorney’s fees and costs.
NEW BIDDERS
Bidders unknown to us must provide commercial references or a deposit of 25% of the amount to be bid in order for the auction staff to execute bids totaling over $25,000. Deposits will be credited towards lots won and any balance will be refunded within 10 business days after the auction has concluded. New online users will be given a spending limit at their initial request. In order to increase this limit, you may be required to provide a letter of authorization from your bank in addition to providing references. Please contact our office at any time if you have questions regarding spending limits or references required to bid.