3272 HISTORIC COLT SAA REVOLVER BELONGING TO LEGENDARY

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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2025 Nov 01 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 50,000.00 USD
Estimated at 100,000.00 - 400,000.00 USD
AMERICAN FRONTIER LAWMAN, WYATT EARP WITH LARGE BINDER OF PROVENANCE. Cal. 45 Colt. S# 343095. Bbl. 4 3/4". Wyatt Earp, one of the most storied lawmen of the American West, known for his unflinching resolve and indomitable presence. Earp's name is etched into frontier myth alongside Dodge City, Deadwood, and the blood-soaked streets of Tombstone. A veteran of many shootouts, most notably, "The Gunfight at the OK Corral", and the fact that Earp was never wounded during any of these skirmishes only adds to his seemingly Mythical status on the Western Frontier. After leaving Tombstone, Earp spent time in Idaho and Alaska, chasing the gold rush before finally settling down in Los Angeles. During his time there, Earp became friends with the likes of William S. Hart, Tom Mix and one James "Jimmy" Mitchell; all of which were pallbearers at his funeral. James Mitchell wrote many stories about Earp that appeared in the Los Angeles Examiner and was in the room with Josephine when Wyatt passed away on Jan 13, 1929. Following Earp's death, Mitchell himself wrote Wyatt Earps obituary (copy included) along with a short story about the lawman's exploits. Included is a copy of a note to Mitchell dated Dec. 8, 1932 shows that Josephine and James stayed in contact following Earp's death. In 1934, James Mitchell Sr. passed away. Josephine would continue to stay in contact with the family as evidenced by a photocopied 1934 dated letter to Jim Mitchell Jr along with an original photograph of Earp signed on the back To James Mitchell Jr. from Josephine Earp. Included in the lot are 3 separate notarized letters, 2 signed by Jim Mitchell III and one signed by Barbara Cummings (Mitchell) documenting this revolver's history. Excerpt from one Carol Cummings (Mitchell) notarized letter reads as follows: "After Wyatt died in 1929, and our Grandfather died in 1934, Josephine maintained a friendship with our father. In 1939, Josephine gave our father an original photo of Wyatt along with the Colt .45. Prior to our father's death in 1989, he gave this gun to his son (our brother), Jimmy Mitchell the 3rd. At that time, he told him the gun belonged to Wyatt Earp and that his widow, Josephine Earp had given the gun as a gift to our father." One notarized letter from Jim Mitchell III states the following: "This is to confirm the Wyatt Earp Pistol (serial # 343095) is being sold by the Mitchell Family thru Little John's Auction Service. My Grandfather was a friend of Wyatt Earp and was present when Wyatt Earp passed away and also served as a pallbearer at his funeral. My Father was also a friend of Josephine Earp and she gave Wyatt Earp's pistol (serial # 343095) to my Father and he passed the pistol (serial # 343095) on to me." UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Colt Archive letter stating the following: "Serial Number: 343095 / Caliber: .45/c / Barrel Length: 4 3/4" / Finish: Blue / Type of Stock: Not Listed / Shipped To: B.H. Dyas Company / Address: Los Angeles, California c/o Acme Tranfa Company / Date of Shipment: May 15, 1922 / Number of Same Type Guns in Shipment: 2". Binder of provenance to include notarized statements from decedents of James Mitchell, copy of obituary by James Mitchell, 2 riginal Photos of Wyatt Earp signed by Josephine; 1 of which is to James Mitchell Jr., 5 books about Wyatt Earp. CONDITION: metal retains approx 75% period renickeled finish with areas of flaked finish & scattered light oxidation. Replacement white grips with Colt medallions have acquired a pleasing mellow patina with age. Very good bore retains sharp rifling. Mechanically excellent with all 4 clicks present. Matching numbers on cyl., grip strap & back strap. An absolutely historic revolver belonging to one of the most well known lawmen of all time. PROVENANCE: Colt Factory to Los Angeles May 1922. Wyatt Earp 192?-1929. Josephine Earp 1929-1939. James Mitchell Jr. 1929-1989. James Mitchell III 1989-2004. Little John's Auction Service June 24, 2004. The Esteemed Norm Greenberg Collection 2004-2025. (25-4196/BH). CURIO. $100,000-400,000.