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COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY ATTRIBUTED TO MAJOR JOHN

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:6,000.00 USD Estimated At:12,000.00 - 18,000.00 USD
COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY ATTRIBUTED TO MAJOR JOHN

BURKE, BUFFALO BILL’S MANAGER & BURKE FAMILY PHOTOS. Cal. 44-40. S# 175330. Bbl. 7 1/2". Standard configuration w/ 1 line Hartford address, nickel, Colt logo hard rubber grips & knurled backstrap. Revolver has copy of notarized letter from collector Dave Zerbe in 2007 stating large archive of Buffalo Bill related items came from direct descent Alfred Heimer including Maj. John Burke personal effects. This archive sold in auction in 2007 originally. Knurling not mentioned in factory letter when shipped as single gun to Boston February 10, 1898. Interesting set of inscribed initials inside each grip half & backstrap “WVH” possibly who replated & knurled backstrap. John M. Burke (1842-1917) according to the numerous obituaries from all over the United States, Maj. Burke died from the grief he suffered on learning of Buffalo Bills death, Jan. 1917. He originally met Buffalo Bill on the plains of Nebraska as an Indian scout, he went on to join Buffalo Bill’s Wild West as manager till Buffalo Bills death. Burke was among the original publicists known to every newspaper in the country. He was responsible for advertising Buffalo Bills Wild West Show & as the numerous editors stated he was a friend of the newspapers. Amazing accounts of his exploits & associations w/ famous people worldwide including Queen Victoria & the Prince of Wales; according to several texts on Buffalo Bill, Burke was his best friend & confidant for over 50 years. In his New York Times obituary, it was stated that he was just as well known as Buffalo Bill himself. His tombstone sums up his last 50 years “Pioneer of Promotion for Buffalo Bills Wild West… HOT AIR & KIND WORDS DISPENSER”. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: file of research & letters attributing provenance to Burke, including several 5 original Burke family photos, 2 of which are of Maj. Burke. CONDITION: fine overall retaining 95% contemporary nickel finish. Mechanically fine w/ good rifled bore. (01-20585/JS). ANTIQUE. $12,000-18,000.