CUSTOM COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH BRIDGEPORT STYLE BELT RIG THAT BELONGED TO ELMER KEITH.

SN 81965. Cal. .45 Colt. This was originally a U.S. property Cavalry Colt that has been customized with an all blue finish and bbl altered to 4-7/8″ with a sleeve-mounted thick front sight. Top strap is rounded & fitted with an adjustable early Smith & Wesson style rear sight. Hammer has been altered with a wide checkered spur and the trigger is checkered to match the hammer. The hammer screw is a long stud with mushroom head like the orig Bridgeport rig from the late 19th century. Frame was polished & blued which has obliterated the patent dates & “U.S.” Ejector housing is first type with bull’s eye ejector rod head and base pin is a later replacement. Mounted with pre-ban African 1-pc ivory grip with a hexagonal panel on left side carved “EMK” and the right side carved with the Masonic square & compass with “G” in the center. Mr. Keith was a well known member of the Masonic Order. Bbl, frame & cyl are orig to this revolver with “DFC” David F. Clark sub-inspector initials and last four digits of matching SN on cyl. Bbl is not serial numbered and trigger guard is without SN. Accompanied by a beautifully tooled 2-1/2″ wide cartridge/money belt with engraved, scalloped edge silver buckle that has space for 38 large caliber cartridges in adjustable laced loops. Right side of the belt, behind the tongue billet is a 3-5/8″ x 2-1/4″ flat steel plate riveted to the outside with a fork attached at an up angle to accommodate the hammer stud on the revolver. Page 167 of Mr. Keith’s book Six Guns shows Mr. Keith demonstrating the fast draw with this exact rig which he refers to as the “Jesse Thompson S.A. Colt Belt Clip” with the statement that it is the “Fastest of all gun rigs”. This revolver was also pictured on p. 160 of Mr. Keith’s book Gun Notes Volume II. This is another example of Mr. Keith’s continued experimentation with all forms of firearms and especially cartridge, handgun use & development. Special Note: This item contains or is made of ivory. Do not bid on this lot unless you have read and agreed to our“Ivory Position Statement”and the “Waiver of Legal and Financial Risk to James D. Julia in regards to your Purchase of an Ivory Object”. This information is located in our catalog on pages 30 and 31. PROVENANCE: The Elmer Keith Estate Collection. CONDITION: Fine to very fine. Overall retains about 75% fine custom blue with most of the losses on bbl from holster storage & holster wear. Grip is sound with a couple small age lines & retains golden ivory patina. Mechanics are fine with a smooth, tuned action, bright shiny bore with scattered pitting. Belt is supple & flexible and retains most of its orig brown leather finish. 4-48018 JR243 (3,000-5,000) – Lot 1006

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Auction: Firearms - March 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1006	$14,950.00	CUSTOM COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH BRIDGEPORT STYLE BELT RIG THAT BELONGED TO ELMER KEITH. SN 81965. Cal. .45 Colt. This was originally a U.S. property Cavalry Colt that has been customized with an all blue finish and bbl altered to 4-7/8″ with a sleeve-mounted thick front sight. Top strap is rounded & fitted with an adjustable early Smith & Wesson style rear sight. Hammer has been altered with a wide checkered spur and the trigger is checkered to match the hammer. The hammer screw is a long stud with mushroom head like the orig Bridgeport rig from the late 19th century. Frame was polished & blued which has obliterated the patent dates & “U.S.” Ejector housing is first type with bull’s eye ejector rod head and base pin is a later replacement. Mounted with pre-ban African 1-pc ivory grip with a hexagonal panel on left side carved “EMK” and the right side carved with the Masonic square & compass with “G” in the center. Mr. Keith was a well known member of the Masonic Order. Bbl, frame & cyl are orig to this revolver with “DFC” David F. Clark sub-inspector initials and last four digits of matching SN on cyl. Bbl is not serial numbered and trigger guard is without SN. Accompanied by a beautifully tooled 2-1/2″ wide cartridge/money belt with engraved, scalloped edge silver buckle that has space for 38 large caliber cartridges in adjustable laced loops. Right side of the belt, behind the tongue billet is a 3-5/8″ x 2-1/4″ flat steel plate riveted to the outside with a fork attached at an up angle to accommodate the hammer stud on the revolver. Page 167 of Mr. Keith’s book Six Guns shows Mr. Keith demonstrating the fast draw with this exact rig which he refers to as the “Jesse Thompson S.A. Colt Belt Clip” with the statement that it is the “Fastest of all gun rigs”. This revolver was also pictured on p. 160 of Mr. Keith’s book Gun Notes Volume II. This is another example of Mr. Keith’s continued experimentation with all forms of firearms and especially cartridge, handgun use & development. Special Note: This item contains or is made of ivory. Do not bid on this lot unless you have read and agreed to our“Ivory Position Statement”and the “Waiver of Legal and Financial Risk to James D. Julia in regards to your Purchase of an Ivory Object”. This information is located in our catalog on pages 30 and 31. PROVENANCE: The Elmer Keith Estate Collection. CONDITION: Fine to very fine. Overall retains about 75% fine custom blue with most of the losses on bbl from holster storage & holster wear. Grip is sound with a couple small age lines & retains golden ivory patina. Mechanics are fine with a smooth, tuned action, bright shiny bore with scattered pitting. Belt is supple & flexible and retains most of its orig brown leather finish. 4-48018 JR243 (3,000-5,000) – Lot 1006 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - March 2015 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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CUSTOM COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH BRIDGEPORT STYLE BELT RIG THAT BELONGED TO ELMER KEITH.