3325
Texas Shipped Colorful, Historic Factory Engraved Black Powder Colt Single Action Army Revolver with
Currency:USD
Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory
Start Price:4,250.00 USD
Estimated At:8,500.00 - 13,000.00 USD
SOLD
6,000.00USD+ (1,170.00) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2010 May 02 @ 12:43UTC-5 : EST/CDT
Did you win this lot?
A full invoice should be emailed to the winner by the auctioneer within a day or two.
Manufactured in 1885, this revolver is accompanied by factory letter and numerous documents chronicling a storied past. The factory letter verifies the serial number, caliber, barrel length, nickel finish, factory engraving with bull head carved ivory grips at it's time of shipping to A.J. Anderson, Ft. Worth, Texas on July 30, 1885 as 1 of 6 in the shipment. In addition to the factory scroll and punch dot engraving on the barrel and frame, floral pattern on the cylinder flats and sunburst on the recoil shield, the backstrap is inscribed "J / B / H" and the top of the ejector housing is engraved "JOE HARDWICK". The grips have been replaced with smooth ivory with numerous holes where gems may have been set at one time. The left side has an inset silver disk which is engraved "Chief of / Police / Joe Hardwick / Calexico / Calif 1922". Also with the gun is a notarized letter from the daughter of George Kerber who owned Citadel Sporting Goods in Tucson, Arizona stating that this revolver was bought by Kerber from a relative of Joe Hardwick sometime between 1950 and 1970. The story goes that this revolver was taken out of the hands of a deceased Mexican by sheriff J.H. Slaughter who in turn gave the gun to Joe Hardwick in 1919 and remained with him until his dead in Feb. of 1931. Hardwick was born in Oklahoma on Feb. 14, 1879 and was half-Indian. He worked as a Cowboy until his early 20s when he went into law enforcement. He was a heavy handed lawman who wasn't afraid to shoot it out with any outlaw that crossed his path. He was twice charged with murder, the first time Sheriff Slaughter testified that he had given the revolver to Hardwick. Hardwick was convicted of manslaughter and served 1/2 hour of his 20 year sentence. He left Oklahoma and began a Deputy Sheriff in Cochise County, Arizona, and was a well known lawman in Yuma and Calexico, Ca. Hardwick was known as the "Czar of Calexico" where he arrested wife beaters, broke-up blackjack games and arrested drug and booze smugglers. Hardwick was known to go into Mexico with Mexican authorities and capture American fugitives. Hardwick would give them the option of going to a Mexican jail or coming back to the U.S. with him. Many choose the latter. He was convicted of deadly assault on an unarmed man and was sentenced to a maximum 10 years in Folsom prison. The sentence was evoked with the conditions that he abstain from alcohol, not carry a gun and that he not cross the Mexican border. Hardwick settled down and opened an auto repair shop in Calexico. He died in Feb. 1931 after his appendix burst 2 weeks earlier. Also with the revolver is a lengthy article entitled "Joseph B. Hardwick, "Lawman" by Steve Bogdan, a lengthy article in the Valley Grower, September/October, 2000 about this revolver, entitled "Ballad of a Well-Known Gun" by Steve Bogdan, and an internet printout on the life of John Horton Slaughter.
BBL: 4 3/4 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 45 Long Colt
Finish: silver
Grips: ivory
Serial Number: 111340
About good. The revolver was period re-plated at the factory (rework star on right rear of the trigger guard) and retains approximately 25% of the silver finish. There is moderate pitting present on the barrel, which has been cleaned on the left side, heavy pitting on the edge of the ejector rod housing, on the cylinder and scattered lighter pitting. The front sight has been replaced many years ago. The grips (probably replaced by Hardwick) are good as modified with numerous age cracks on the bottoms, a small chip on the right heel, medallion missing on the right side and showing a pleasant caramel patina. As mentioned above there are numerous holes on each side where there may have been gems set at one time. Most of the engraving is clear. The action is fine. A Colt Single Action Army revolver whose life began in 1885, and my bet is, saw more than it's share of violent action.
Auction Location:
4507 49th Avenue, Moline, Illinois, 62165-7578, United States
Previewing Details:
Preview: Open to the public Thursday, April 29th from 10 AM to 6 PM Friday, April 30th from 8 AM to 10 AM Saturday, May 1st from 8 AM to 10 AM Sunday, May 2nd from 8 AM to 10 AM
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
19.5% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Please contact the auction house for the preferred shipper’s contact information
Payment Details:
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