laststandonzombieisland

A breathtaking witness to history is the documented Colt .45 Single Action Army Revolver with pearl grips, No. 147306, from a legendary 10-gun shipment sent to the Dalton Gang and with ownership attributed to either Bob or Emmett Dalton:

 

The Colt is part of the Morphy’s auction during Brian Lebel’s June 21-23 Old West Show in historic Santa Fe, New Mexico.

This showy gun, purportedly engraved by Colt master engraver Cuno Helfricht, was shipped from the Colt factory on August 18, 1892, to a Kansas hardware store. Historical documentation indicates that each of the five Dalton Gang members received two Colts the day before the ill-fated Coffeyville Raid when they attempted to rob two banks simultaneously. Four of the five men perished, but Emmett Dalton, the youngest of the gang, miraculously survived after incurring 23 gunshot wounds. The storied auction firearm is in outstanding condition with matching numbers. Serial listed numbers are 147290, 142298 (at Davis Museum), 147303, 147304, 147305 (Autry Museum, purported to be Emmett Dalton’s), 147306 (this gun, accompanied by an article on this revolver by R. L. Wilson and attributed to either Emmett or Bob; this gun is pictured on the cover of the June 1995 Gun Report by Bill Gerber, which is included and where he confirms this association), 147307, (which was purchased by H.W. Read after the raid of October 5th, 1892 and was put on display by him), 147308, 147311 and 147338 (which was part of the Pemberton Collection). All known examples except one are reported to have pearl grips. There are accompanying articles explaining that the gang had ordered these ten guns, two for each member of the gang who went to Coffeyville that fateful day on October 5th, 1892. It will convey with an extensive archive of information and a copy of the relevant Colt factory letter.

Its auction estimate is $200,000-$300,000.