NOT SOLD (BIDDING OVER)
0.00USD+ applicable fees & taxes.
This item WAS NOT SOLD. Auction date was 2016 May 14 @ 09:00UTC-7 : PDT/MST
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RARE NEWLY DISCOVERED CIVILIAN COLT WALKER REVOLVER BELIEVED of TEXAS RANGER LAMARTINE “LAMB” SIEKER, Serial No. 1044 with HOLSTERS and HISTORY of PRESENTATION to WWII B-25 BOMBER PILOT, Lt. Albert Duke, by Gov. T.R. McKeldin of Maryland, in 1954.
Civilian Series Colt Walker No. 1044, profuse marking on all major and some minor parts, .44 caliber percussion, 9-inch barrel, 6-shot cylinder roll-engraved with US Mounted Riflemen engagement scene with Comanche Indians; walnut grips, brass triggerguard. Standard roll marking of maker and address on barrel lug flat:
ADDRESS, SAML COLT, NEW-YORK CITY
Left side of barrel lug with marking: U.S./1847
Serial number marking as follows: on bottom of barrel lug, on breech end of barrel lug where meets with forward end of frame, on forward end of frame where meets breech end of barrel lug, on cylinder periphery at standard position within cartouche, on bottom of frame, bottom of brass triggerguard adjacent to forward guard strap screw, bottom of buttstrap adjacent to buttstrap screw, and on wedge.
Accompanied by leather military holster with leather belt, metal buckle, both belt and holster blind embossed with name: LAMB. Measuring 17 3/8-inches in length and 5-inches at widest point. Belt measuring 53 1/4-inches in length, with the measurement from the center of the 15 punched tongue-holes to the buckle at 42 ½-inches. Flap holster also present, with marking of name written in ink in script lettering: Paul Donat/Fena [remainder illegible]. Measuring 18 1/2-inches x 7 1/4-inches [overall length from top left to tip, and along fold at top of holster].
Larger holster and belt ensemble marked on belt and on front of holster with: LAMB.
CONDITION: Very good. Overall gray patina, with surface patination. Serial markings sharply stamped and clear. Cylinder scene worn off, with serial stamping remaining distinct. Impression from pressure of cylinder roll-engraving visible. Barrel inscription with old reinforcement. US/1847 marking sharp. Single safety pin missing from cylinder breech; spring latch for loading lever old replacement, as are the walnut grips. Holsters very good; that marked Lamb altered and refined from a Walker Saddle Holster, the accompanying belt of later period than 1847. Flap holster accepts Walker revolver; made without a belt loop; designed for inserting within a saddle roll or saddle bag. Inside inscription suggests later association with Texas Ranger Lamb.
PROVENANCE: Previously unlisted and unknown to the collecting fraternity, Serial No. 1044 Walker Civilian Series Revolver has remained in the hands of the Duke family since its presentation to WWII hero Lt. Albert Duke by Maryland Governor Theodore R. McKeldin, on April 30, 1954. McKeldin served as the 53rd Governor of Maryland - from January 10, 1951 to January 14, 1959. Later he was elected Mayor of Baltimore, serving from 1963 to 1967. Born November 20, 1900, in Baltimore, McKeldin a Republican, received degrees from Baltimore City College and the University of Maryland Law School. A moderate Republican, McKeldin was active as a supporter of Dwight D. Eisenhower, as candidate of that party for President in 1952 – and his nominating speech for “Ike” was considered the principal such address at the Republican convention. McKeldin was the last Republican mayor of Baltimore. He died August 10, 1974, at age 73. The tone of Governor McKeldin’s letter suggests that he was himself an arms collector, and noting: “I hope these [another Colt revolver was with this gift, a First Model Dragoon, No. 7208] will mean as much to you as they have meant to me. They have been in my family for a long time.”
Lt. Albert Duke, had served heroically in World War II. As a pilot in the 447th Squadron, of the 12th Air Force, 321st Bomb Group, Duke flew the Mitchell B-25, named “Trigger.” Lt. Duke was one of the original 48 pilots of the 321st Bombardment Group which flew to North Africa, February 1943. The southern route used was via Ascension Island, with Group Commander Col. Robert D. Knapp leading the formation. “Trigger” was later shot down over North Africa, with the gunner lost and sunk with the plane, and the remaining five crew members afloat in a life raft for twelve hours. Duke and those other airmen escaped capture, and death, and were able to infiltrate through Nazi lines in Tunisia over four days, surviving front line combat.
A binder volume of details on Governor McKeldin and Lt. Albert Duke accompanies the revolver, including the original presentation letter (quoted from above), newspaper articles and photographs showing Lt. Duke. Among the headlines being: “Baltimorean, 4 Others Shot Down, Safe.” Also enclosed a copy of the official report of March 27, 1943 “Report of Crew of Plane No. 41-15171,” with the headline:
447th BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON (M) AAF
321ST BOMBARDMENT GROUP (M)
APO 520
The four-page report was signed by Robert W. Manly, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Intelligence Officer, and provided highly and fascinating detailed information on Trigger being shot down, and the perilous adventures in the survival of the five men. Considerable additional information on Lt. Duke and his men are within the ¾-inch thick binder volume, including a report by Phillip W. Porter. Captain, A.O. 47th Wing, Newport, and another from HQ 321st Bombardment Group (M) A & F, A.P.O. No. 520, Office of the Operations Officer (“Individual Report of Combat Mission”).
Considerable detail also provided on Lamartine Pemberton Sieker, born April 8, 1848 (Baltimore MD), and died November 13, 1914, Confederate Veteran and Texas Ranger. Sieker was described by a Texas Ranger captain as an “honest gentleman,” and a “fearless officer,” and as a “disciplinarian,” and one who believed in “good order.”
His education included studying at the Madison Military Institute (North Carolina) and the Washington Military Academy (Virginia). Sieker was in the CSA army in the Civil War, enlisting in Captain W.W. Parker’s Battery, Hughes’ Battalion of Virginia Light Artillery, and in General Longstreet’s Corps, both under General Robert E. Lee (summer 1863 to early 1865). Following the War, Sieker was a clerk, migrating to Texas in 1873, joining Company A, 11th Regiment of Texas Volunteer Guard (February 6 to July 15, 1873) – aka as the Wichita Colony Guard.
He joined Company D of the Texas Ranger Frontier Battalion, on May 25, 1874. By 1881 he had become a lieutenant, and was promoted to captain, September 1, 1882. His service involved directing operations against Indians, investigations of crimes as serious as murder, and dealing with Texas outlaws. From 1885 to 1893, and 1899 to 1905, he was Texas Ranger Quartermaster. Among his Ranger colleagues were John R. Hughes and William J. “Bill” McDonald. “Lamb” Sieker was one of four brothers who served as Texas Rangers, three of them born in Baltimore, and one in New York City. Their father was a well known and respected doctor of medicine. One of the brothers, Frank, was killed in a gunfight while on Ranger duty.
REMARKS: Accompanied by detailed documenting and historical letter by author and Colt specialist R.L. Wilson. Note that in researching No. 1044, yet another previously unknown Walker, Serial No. 1045, has come to light - thus providing the interesting possibility of organizing the quite rare ensemble of a matched pair of Walker Colt revolvers from the Civilian Series.
Also accompanied by 24 ½- x 36 ¼-inch framed display with biography of Lt. Albert Duke, including copy of the presentation letter from Governor McKeldin; and by another framed display with images and information regarding Texas Ranger Lamertine “Lamb” Sieker and Walker Colt No. 1044.
NOTE: See also description of Colt First Model Dragoon Revolver, Serial No. 7508, which is documented as with the Walker Colt when presented to Lt. Albert Duke by Governor McKeldin.
REFERENCES: Listing by W.F.S. Quick of Walker Colt revolvers, from as early as the 1950s, and released periodically over a relatively brief period. No copy known which lists the Civilian Walker serial nos. 1044 or 1045. Occasional other listings by various parties known, none of which has included 1044 or 1045. These nos. also unknown in periodic “Parade of Walkers” displays of the Texas Gun Collectors Association.
Description by R.L. Wilson
ID# 38054
Auction Location:
3555 Airway Drive Suite 308, Reno, Nevada, 89511, United States
Previewing Details:
Preview will be at our Auction Location, 3555 Airway Drive Suite 309 Reno, NV 89511
On Thursday, May 12, 10:00 am to 5:00pm at HWAC or by appointment.
Please call 775-851-1859
Nevada State Sales Tax
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| NSST |
7.75% |
Nevada Sales Tax |
| INS |
1% |
Insurance |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
23% |
Additional Fees:
| Fee | Amount | Applicable Locations | Applied To |
| Handling fee |
5.00
|
Not Applicable
|
This fee applies to the total of the invoice
|
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Cowboys & Indians & Miners
Absentee Bidding will end
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Internet bids accepted any time
Terms and Conditions
1. This is a Live Auction conducted by Holabird’s Western Americana Collections (HWAC).
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NEW BIDDERS
Bidders unknown to us must provide commercial references or a deposit of 25% of the amount to be bid in order for the auction staff to execute bids totaling over $25,000. Deposits will be credited towards lots won and any balance will be refunded within 10 business days after the auction has concluded. New online users will be given a spending limit at their initial request. In order to increase this limit, you may be required to provide a letter of authorization from your bank in addition to providing references. Please contact our office at any time if you have questions regarding spending limits or references required to bid.