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Nat Love's 1862 Colt Pocket Police Conversion Revolver "Deadwood Dick" Most Famous Black Cowboy of The Wild West HISTORY Inscribed Nicke
Guns International #: 100877153 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Colt Revolvers - Antique - Colt Revolvers - Single Action
Seller's Information
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Seller: Jeremiah Johnson Trading
Company: Jeremiah Johnson Trading
Member Since: 1/27/12
First Name: Greg
Last Name: Schimetschek
State: Connecticut
Zip: 06423
Country: United States
Phone: (860) 873-1092
Number of Active Listings: 4
Total Number of Listings: 217
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
3 days
Payment Types Accepted: Check (personal checks take 7-10 days to clear), money order, credit card (no fee), or wire
About Us: Jeremiah Johnson Trading is one of the most experienced and trusted dealers of pre-1899 antique arms with over 40 years of collecting. We specialize in Colt, Winchester, Remington, Smith & Wesson, Parker, large-bore fowling guns, Revolutionary & Civil War arms, collectible Bowie & folding knives and more! We are also avid collectors of historic race cars & memorabilia. Visit us online at jeremiahjohnsontrading or find us on Facebook and Instagram.
Description:
Jeremiah Johnson Trading is one of the most experienced dealers of fine antique arms, with over 30 years of collecting. We also specialize in a vast array of collectibles, including western memorabilia, antique cars & automobilia, Revolutionary & Civil War relics, early Bowie & folding knives, and period nautical artifacts. Visit us online at JeremiahJohnsonTrading or find us on Facebook. Our shop is located at 1618 Saybrook Rd. Haddam, CT. Look for the gold '55 Chevy road sign! ~Trades and offers are always considered~ Important & Historic M1862 Colt Pocket Police Factory Conversion Revolver Inscribed to Nat Love, aka "Deadwood Dick", The Most Famous Black Cowboy & Folk Hero of The Wild West, Nickel Plated with Ivory Grips, .38 CF, mfg. ca. 1881 with 5 1/2" barrel. Nat Love (pronounced "Nate" Love) was born a slave in Tennessee in 1854. Love learned to read and write at an early age and in the years following the end of the Civil War he was already noted for his expert riding and horse breaking abilities. In 1870 he headed west to Dodge City, Kansas, where he joined up with a group of cattle drivers from Texas who he would spend the next two years working for. Love quickly became a formidable cowboy and marksman. In 1872 he moved to Arizona and took up work at the Gallinger Ranch. In 1876 Love drove a heard of cattle through Deadwood, Dakota Territory, and entered the 4th of July rodeo where he stunned the crowd by winning no less than six riding and roping contests. Love was declared the "champion roper of the western cattle country", a title which he proudly held throughout the rest of his years as a cowboy. It was at this rodeo Love earned the nickname "Deadwood Dick", a name which was later regarded in his autobiography as "a name I was proud to carry and defend, if necessary, with my life." Love went on to take part in scores of adventures throughout the late 1870's and 1880's including capture by Indians, gun fights, and even encounters with Bat Masterson, Billy The Kid, and Pat Garrett. Nat Love left the cowboy life behind in 1890 after marrying the previous year and took up a job as a Pullman Porter for the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad. Love published his autobiography, "Life and Adventures of Nat Love, Better Known in the Cattle Country as 'Deadwood Dick,' by Himself", in 1907. After moving to southern California, Love spent the last years of his life working as a security guard before passing away in 1921. Today Nat Love's image, dressed in full cowboy attire, has become synonymous with the wild west. He is universally regarded as the most famous black cowboy of the wild west. This M1862 Colt Pocket Police Conversion was likely acquired by Love sometime in the early 1880's and is period inscribed "Deadwood Dick" in old English along the backstrap with his name "Nat Love" engraved in script on the butt. Upon close examination there is no question the inscriptions were done during the period of use. A Colt Firearms factory letter will be included with the revolver which states it was originally shipped with blued finish and stocks "not listed" (wood) to J. P. Moore & Sons of New York City as part of an order for 50 guns. J. P. Moore was one of Colt's top dealers and most assuredly was responsible for adding the Nickel finish and Ivory grips seen on the gun today. Not long after it was likely re-sold and made it's way out west. Supposedly this gun was on display for years in a large western museum back in the 50's or 60's though I have not been able to find any further information regarding where. The pistol retains approximately 65% period Nickel finish with the balance having worn to a silvery/gray appearance. There is some very shallow, old pinprick pitting along the top of the barrel with mottled traces of case color on the hammer which have turned plum. The Ivory grips fit well with some minor shrinkage & swelling along the backstrap and triggerguard. They show a heavily worn and darkened patina with various age checks and stains. There is a period replaced sliver of Ivory along the back of the right grip with a smaller filled sliver opposite on the left grip. Matching serial numbers on the frame, barrel, cylinder, backstrap, triggerguard, and cylinder pin. The wedge is unnumbered but appears original. Clear cylinder scene, patent dates, and serial numbers. The barrel address heavily worn and partially visible. Original hammer, trigger, loading gate, ejector assembly, and bead front sight. The ejector head may have been re-shaped slightly and some of the screws appear to be later replacements. The action is crisp and functions very well. The bore shows very strong rifling front to back with moderately scattered blackpowder frosting and light pitting beginning near the muzzle. A proper cleaning may improve it. Opportunities do not arise often to own a truly iconic western figure's gun and as far as we know this is the only one of Nat Love's guns ever offered for sale. This is a significant piece of American western history worthy of the most advanced collection or museum display. NOTE! Due to Ivory restrictions this pistol can not be shipped to New York, New Jersey, or California. No FFL required on pre-1899 firearms or contemporary muzzleloaders. No sales of modern firearms or antique arms that may potentially fire modern ammunition to the state of California, Washington D. C. or any of the five counties of New York City. Any handgun, including antiques, that are shipped to the state of New Jersey must be shipped to an FFL holder. No sales of Ivory to the states of New York, New Jersey or California. No sales of Bear parts to the states of Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Virginia, or West Virginia. No international sales of Ivory or animal parts whatsoever. Payment can be made by way of money order, banker's check, or personal check (Please allow 7-10 days for clearance on personal checks). Credit cards accepted for antique arms (no additional fees). Non-firing items may be purchased through PayPal. If not satisfied with an item within 3 days of receiving it, simply return the item in the same condition as shipped for a full refund, minus return shipping costs. Cleaning, disassembly, or altering of a firearm in any way will void inspection privileges. Layaway may be allowed upon negotiation, but will void inspection privileges. Buyer pays actual shipping & insurance costs. We primarily ship USPS unless restrictions deem UPS necessary. FFL is required on all firearms manufactured after 1898 (mfg. 1899-present). C&R is acceptable for any firearm manufactured over 50 years ago from the current date. Jeremiah Johnson Trading sells antiques only. Any firearms occasionally sold through Gun from our personal collection that do require an FFL or C&R are shipped through a licensed FFL dealer. All firearms are sold as collector's items and are not warranted safe for shooting. Please consult a competent gunsmith prior to shooting any firearm. International orders are allowed for antique muzzleloaders and arms that fire obsolete ammunition only, no modern firearms or antique firearms that can potentially fire modern ammunition will be shipped outside of the United States. All prices are in American U.S. dollars. Message or call with any questions about this firearm, or any of our other items at 860-873-1092 (office) or 860-345-2100 (shop).
SOLD
Antique: Yes
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1862 Pocket Police Conversion
Serial Number: 44059
Caliber Info: .38 CF
Stock: Ivory
Finish: Nickel
Manufacture Date: 1881
Extras: Inscribed