4141A "FATHER OF THE TEXAS PANHANDLE", DOCUMENTED COLT

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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2025 May 11 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 10,000.00 USD
Estimated at 20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
SINGLE ACTION ARMY FACTORY SHIPPED TO CHARLES GOODNIGHT. Cal. 45 Colt. S# 69125. Bbl 7.5". Charles Goodnight (1836-1929) led such a full and extraordinary life, we can barely scratch the surface. Born born March 5, 1836, Goodnight was brought to Texas by his Mother and Step Father in 1846. His early adult life consisted mainly of running cattle up the Brazos River to Keechi Valley located in Palo Pinto County, TX. Goodnight served with the local militia, fending off attacks from the increasingly hostile Comanche. He later joined forces with Capt. J.J. Cureton's Texas Rangers, as guide and scout. In December 1860, Charles Goodnight led Capt. "Sul" Ross and the Texas Rangers to the Comanche encampment, "The Battle of Pease River" and the recapture of Cynthia Ann Parker followed. As a side note, it is ironic that years later, Goodnight himself treated with Quanah Parker, the son of Cynthia Ann, who became the Comanche's last great war chief. For 2 beef cows every other day, Quanah and his people agreed not to disrupt or drive off cattle belonging to the JA Ranch (more on that later). During the Civil War Goodnight fought with Rangers, attached to the Frontier Regiment pursuing outlaws and marauding Natives. After the Civil War, it was back to running cattle, Goodnight and his partner Oliver, Loving established the Goodnight-Loving Trail that spanned from Young County, TX to Cheyenne, WY. Palo Duro Canyon had, until 1874, been the Comanche's secret hideout in the vast Llano Estacado of the Panhandle. It was there, in 1876, Goodnight carved out a new ranch. In partnership with the investor John Adair, by 1885, the JA Ranch reached its maximum of 1,325,000 acres on which grazed 100,000 head of Goodnight's carefully bred cattle. He managed the ranch until 1888. This revolver is listed in the Colt Factory records as having been shipped to "C. Goodnight" on October 3, 1881 in a 6 gun shipment. Revolver bears a nicely reapplied full nickel finish with all marking remaining crisp. 1 Piece smooth white grips. 3 line patent date on left side of frame. 1 Line block letter bbl address. Left front of trigger guard bow stamped "45 Cal". Matching numbers on Frame, trigger guard, Cyl and butt. Charles Goodnight's influence has carried on to modern day pop culture, being the inspiration for Woodrow F. Call, who was played by Hollywood great Tommy Lee Jones in "LONESOME DOVE". In Taylor Sheridan's miniseries, "1883", Sheridan himself appears in two episodes reprising the role of the legendary Goodnight. In "1923" Sheridan gives a tip of the hat to the JA Ranch and Goodnight. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Copy of Colt Factory Archive letter confirming features, recipient and ship date. CONDITION: metal retains 95% reapplied nickel with spots of corrosion appearing on front portion of cyl and at either side of frame ahead of cyl. Good plus grips. Left side panel has vertical full length repaired crack approx 5/8" from rear of frame. Mainspring appears slightly weak but functions properly with all 4 clicks present. Very good bore with strong rifling having mild frosting in grooves. What Texas collection could be complete without a Colt's revolver, factory shipped to "The Father of the Texas Panhandle"? (01-26857/BH). ANTIQUE. $20,000-30,000.