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Sheriff Thomas B. Bash's Engraved and Gold-Washed Colt New Service Revolver, attributed to Cole Agee

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:5,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Sheriff Thomas B. Bash's Engraved and Gold-Washed Colt New Service Revolver, attributed to Cole Agee

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Auction Date:2018 Sep 12 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Beautiful gold-washed Colt New Service revolver belonging to gangster-era Kansas City Sheriff Thomas B. Bash, with ornate engraving attributed to famed master engraved Cole Agee. Serial #328855, .44 S&W Special, 5 1/2? barrel with an excellent, bright bore. This is a beautiful revolver that has floral and punch-dot engraving on the frame and front sight blade, as well as a gold wash finish on the cylinder, hammer, cylinder release, trigger, frame screws, ejector rod tip, and front sight. The initials “TBB” are engraved in a pentagonal panel on the left side just above the trigger. The metal retains 98–99% of the bright nickel finish, while about 80–85% of the gold wash remains (most of the loss occurs on the rear of the cylinder, and between the flutes). The genuine ivory, Colt medallion grips are in fine condition, with some mellow age toning, and a few tiny chips and hairline age cracks at the butt on both panels. The lanyard swivel was removed and the hole filled with a US Cartridge Co. .22 cartridge case. The revolver is housed in a French-fitted, purple velvet lined traveling case complete with Hibbard combination tool, bore brush, and a period bottle of Abercrombie & Fitch Rangoon Oil. Accompanied by a binder of research material about Bash’s career, a 2010 Colt Factory Letter, and the hardcover book Cole Agee: Texas Engraver; the Agee book somewhat dampstained.

A 2010 dated Colt Factory Letter accompanies the gun that lists a shipping date of June 30, 1933, to R.S. Elliott Arms Co. of Kansas City, MO. Thomas B. Bash was a former county judge turned sheriff of Jackson County, MO, and was a foe of Kansas City crime boss Tom Pendergast. He was also hostile to his rival on the bench, future president Harry S. Truman, as well as a nemesis to Charles ‘Pretty Boy’ Floyd, whom Bash was convinced was heavily involved in the famous Kansas City Massacre, in which three FBI agents and prisoner Frank Nash were killed in a botched rescue attempt at Union Station. In one almost legendary episode not long after the massacre, Bash, his wife, and one of his deputies were returning home from an ice cream social when they witnessed the murder of Ferris J. Anthon, a Chicago-connected liquor racketeer, by three gunmen sent by Pendergast associate John Lazia: Charles Gargotta, Sam Scola, and Gus Fasone. Bash grabbed the riot shotgun he kept with him, jumped from his car, and began returning fire while his deputy swung their vehicle into the path of the killers' getaway car. Bash killed Scola and Fasone, but was able to capture Gargotta alive. Mrs. Bash survived unscathed. Sheriff Bash continued his hunt for ‘Pretty Boy’ Floyd after the ensuing series of trials, and was hot on his trail when FBI agents caught up to him and killed him in October of the following year. This is a fantastic, expertly embellished, and period cased revolver that belonged to one of the famous lawmen of the Gangster Era, and would make a great addition to any collection.

This transfers as a modern firearm (FFL or C&R).