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Walter Putney’s Colt Model 1878

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
Walter Putney’s Colt Model 1878
Outlaw and member of the famous “Hole in the Wall Gang,” Putney was a rancher, rustler and bank robber. He was associated with the gang as early as 1890. The original gang was known as the “Wild Bunch” and hid out near Kaycee, Wyoming at what became known as the Hole in the Wall. The most famous of the gang along with Putney were The Sundance Kid (Harry Longbough), Butch Cassidy, Ben Kilpatrick, Kid Curry (Harvey Logan), and Will Carver. Walter had a ranch on Bridger Creek a few miles from the Hole in the Wall. This is a Colt 1878, serial #26673, 4 3/4” nickel in .38-40 caliber. The revolver was acquired from Putney by Deputy Marshal Jim Kaster of Fremont County, Wyoming at the Stone Ranch near Casper, Wyoming. Kaster used the Colt during his career as a lawman. Frame retains 5% nickel, barrel and triggerguard have 80% nickel finish, frame in smooth gray with slight amount of blue on hammer in trigger. Hard rubber Rampant Colt grips show expected wear. Markings all sharp and clear. Cylinder loose but mechanically very good overall. Provenance: Handwritten letter from Kaster’s son stating the gun was won in a poker game from Putney while at the ranch. Walter Puntney’s claim to fame as an outlaw comes from his participation with The Sundance Kid, Kid Curry and Tom O’Day in a Belle Fourche, South Dakota bank robbery on June 28, 1897. The gang was arrested 2 months after the robbery after a shootout north of Billings, Montana. While in custody in Butte County the gang escaped when the Sundance Kid overpowered their jailer John Mansfield. Punteney (Putney) and Tom O’Day were recaptured. Fascinating and informative article in The Texas Gun Collector, Fall 1994, in-depth story of the robbery in Belle Fourche and the pursuit by the posse led by Sheriff George Fuller. Walter ran away from his home in Kansas at the age of 14 and turned to rustling. After the robbery and escape, Walter was eventually acquitted in Deadwood, the Lawrence County seat. Putney went on to ranch on Bridger Creek until 1912. He later became the owner of the Camp Stool Ranch near Crow Heart Butte and in 1923 moved to Pinedale, Wyoming where he bought a saloon. He died in Pinedale in 1949.