"Gunsmoke" Colt Single Action

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Colt Single Action used by James Arness in the award winning television series, “Gunsmoke”. What TV Colt revolver could be more iconic than Marshal Matt Dillon's? We can't think of one, and this one was well-used by Arness.

Frame is *S/N 317234, .45 Long Colt caliber, 7 1/2 inch barrel. It would have been originally blued and case color finish. Ultra stag 2-piece grips. Condition: good bore, scattered light oxidation, complete refinish, mechanically very good, grips are excellent. As with a lot of the Stembridge guns the numbers do not match. The backstrap and trigger guard are #184405.

Lot 250, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $24,780

Three Masterfully Crafted Roy Luttrell Miniature Wagons

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A scale copy of Buffalo Bill's Deadwood Stagecoach, by miniature master, Roy Luttrell. Highly detailed with all the accessories, functioning doors and rear boot. A very exacting presentation, painted with an antique look to match the original, with "Deadwood Stage Line" across the top span. 22" body and 34" long overall. 10" wide, and 15" tall with the luggage, which includes steamer trunks and a carpet bag. A fine and accurate example. 

Lot 16, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $21,240

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Miniature U.S. Marshal's Jail Transport Wagon, crafted by the master Roy Luttrell. Definitely does justice to what the original full size wagon would look like, complete with wanted posters (including one for the Sundance Kid), lanterns, wooden bars and exacting details. 20" long body and 36" overall; 14" tall and 10 1/2" wide. A great miniature with a ton of character. 

Lot 17, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $18,880

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Miniature U.S. Marshal's Jail Transport Wagon, crafted by the master Roy Luttrell. Definitely does justice to what the original full size wagon would look like, complete with wanted posters (including one for the Sundance Kid), lanterns, wooden bars and exacting details. 20" long body and 36" overall; 14" tall and 10 1/2" wide. A great miniature with a ton of character. 

Lot 18, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $20,060

Engraved Winchester Model 1866 SRC

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S/N 149940, .44 c.f. caliber, 20 inch barrel, 4th model saddle ring carbine. Receiver is smooth aged brass color with excellent geometric and scroll engraving (see example on page 118 in Madis book), small, neat “LDN” on bottom of frame. The carbine wood with brass butt plate is deep, almost red walnut. Circa 1878. Condition: bore is very good with scattered black powder oxidation, barrel and tube are mottled plum with shades of silver coming through. The receiver is just the right color, and the wood is sound with scattered use dings, the worst being a “dent” on left of fore arm. Action is smooth, and markings are excellent.

Lot 214, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $18,880

 

"Nome" Gold Nugget Chain with 14K Gold Watch

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Magnificent gold pocket watch with gold nugget chain. Hunter cased sized 18, 15 jewel, lever set, adjusted, full plate.  Case features a marvelous rose gold train engine with diamond lights, coming out of a tunnel on a diamond track. Yellow and green gold floral and leaf design beneath. Reverse of case has fancy rose gold monogram plate with initials “MP” (or PM). Face has roman numerals for hours and numbers to mark the minutes, with a second-hand inset. Face marked: "Hampden Watch Co."  Works marked "Railway - Canton, Ohio" 605470. Case marked "ROY / Warranted / 14K / U.S. Assay / 87763”. Circa 1888-89.

Watch is attached to a gold nugget chain with 16 nuggets of varying sizes, along with button hole bar covered in small nuggets. The final and largest nugget features a gold shovel and pick with “NOME” marking. Button hole bar is 1 7/8" with back marked “S.H. / Nome / 14K”. We have not weighed the nugget chain, however the consignor states the weight is 2.75 ounces of nuggets.

Lot 181, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $17,700

Glass Panel Cowgirl Etching

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Art Deco period decorative glass panel of a nude cowgirl. Used as a divider in The Bank Club in downtown Reno, which was once the largest casino in Nevada. Quality, heavy glass (7/8") etched from the reverse, with beveled edge, artist mark lower right, 39" x 12".

The photograph shows the casino floor of the Reno Bank Club in the 1930s. You can see the columns are fitted with panels of etched glass depicting regionally specific western scenes, and illuminated from within. This panel would have been similarly displayed.

Lot 299, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $14,160

L.D. Stone & Co. San Francisco Spurs

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A stunningly intricate pair of California target pattern spurs. The condition is truly amazing, they appear unused with some original bluing remaining, and the mark is clean and sharp. The 3/4 drop shanks hold 1 5/8" rowels with chased chevrons. The original double heel chains are attached on hand-cut hangers. Stamped deeply inside heelband on each spur: "L.D. STONE & Co. / SAN FRANCISCO". The engraving is crisp and of the highest quality. The attached straps are border tooled with scalloped edges and have bucking horse conchos. One of the best examples of Stone spurs we’ve seen.
EX: Bill and Marilyn Lenox Collection.

Lot 155, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $12,980

19th Century Carved Wood Calliope Figure

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Fabulous, circa 1880s, American mechanical cowgirl styled figure. She is most likely a circus or Wild West wagon calliope. The movable bellows-operated arm beats a cymbal or drum. A great and attractive piece of Americana, with original polychrome paint. The patina is truly beautiful and compliments the quality of the carving. Added stand for display is removable. Cowgirl figure is 25” tall; with stand 40" tall overall.

Lot 19, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $11,800

Edward H. Bohlin Parade Spurs and Boots

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A very special parade set. The spurs, straps, buckles and heel caps are marked Bohlinmade. Highly engraved sterling in the Hollywood style. The spurs are stamped Crockett, but are clearly mounted by Bohlin. They have 2 1/2” webbed rowels on arrow shanks and 1 1/4” tapered bands. The straps feature large 1 3/4” sterling conchos and marked three-piece buckle sets. The boots are black with white inlays, square toes, and measure 9 3/4” from toe to heel. Circa 1930s or early 40s. 

Spurs pictured: James H. Nottage's "Saddlemaker to the Stars (1996)  -- The Leather and Silver Art of Edward H. Bohlin", Pg. 136.

Lot 97, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Estimate $11,800.

Tom Qualey Spurs

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A fabulous pair of 100% original Tom Qualey spurs, purchased directly from Tom by the consignor's father in the 1950s (his initials, “KAB” are stamped on the off-side). A large and impressive pair, they have 30-point rowels and "Qualey" inscribed in script on the inside of the heel band. Split heelbands with double buttons, splayed shank ends and fully engraved on one side, half on the other. Rare and highly collectible.

Lot 231, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $9,440

Tom Qualey (1904-1977)
Knut Qualey came from Norway as a blacksmith in 1900 to live in Idaho. He homesteaded a ranch on Joseph Plains, Idaho, and raised his nine children after his wife died in 1915. His sons Jens, Tom, Nels and Olaf would reshape old farm tools or wagon wheel rims into bits and spurs, with Tom being the most talented. In 1920, Tom and Nels began making bits and spurs in their spare time at the ranch, marking them “Qualey Bros.” In 1942 the ranch was sold and Nels stopped silversmithing.
 
Beginning in 1944, Tom, working solo, made pieces marking them “Qualey”. Most of these were sold by either Ray Holes or through Miller Hardware in Grangeville. Tom was a master engraver, who, according to saddle maker Ray Holes, was unequaled in his ability to do precision engraving, using only a forge, hammer, hacksaw and file.

Monte Hale's Colt Single Action

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*S/N 297571 4 1/2" barrel, .45 caliber Colt Single Action. One of Monte's personal studio revolvers. Fully refinished in nickel and gold wash, mounted with plastic faux stag grips. The matching gun is in the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles. Monte Hale (1919-2009) was known as "The Last of the Singing Cowboys."
Provenance: Boyd Magers Collection.
* $100 FFL fee will be added to this purchase. All sales of firearms will be in accordance with Federal and State guidelines. All post-1898 firearms are subject to applicable ordinances and laws, and must be purchased in compliance with Federal and State law.

Lot 249, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $9,440

Karl's / Don Ellis "Palomino" Buckle and Belt

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A beautiful and striking buckle in sterling and three-color 14K gold. Hand engraved by Don Ellis and mounted with a gold horse. The top edge of the buckle is mounted with gold flowers. Double marked with the “Karl's / Seattle / Sterling /14K” mark. 2 1/4" x 3 1/2". The belt is an impressive diamond supreme style with alternating gold and silver diamonds. 1 1/2" wide; 42" from the clip point to end of the leather, appears to fit approximately a 34" to 36" waist. 

Provenance: Includes letter from Dick Ellis, son of Don.

Lot 83, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $8,850

Terri Kelly Moyers (b. 1953)

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Her Favorite
Oil on canvas
40" x 50"
Signed lower left: Terri Kelly Moyers (c) / 2003
Framed to 51 1/2" x 61 1/2"

Lot 145, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $8,260

Terri Kelly Moyers (b. 1953)
Whether painting a portrait or a landscape or a cowgirl riding a horse, Terri Kelly Moyer's subjects are things that are beautiful and that move her. “I want to share what I see with other people and help them have the same pleasure I have. Each artist interprets and edits things in a different way, infusing his or her work with a different quality or emotion.” Moyer's favorite subject is the American cowgirl. “I enjoy painting women,” she says. “I feel women had a major role to play in the West, and maybe that hasn’t been recognized as much as it could be.” Terri was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 2015.

Central Plains Beaded Rifle Scabbard

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Native tanned hide, beaded and fringed gun sheath. Remnants of red wool trade cloth decoration. Beaded in cobalt, pale blue, white, yellow and white-heart red, with panels at muzzle and beaded strips with yellow ochre on hide at the throat. 47" long; 17" longest fringe. Circa last quarter 19th century.
Provenance: Sotheby's Parke-Bernet auction, 1970s, tag attached.

Lot 199, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $3,540

A Spectacular Assortment of Luis B. Ortega's Work

Click to enlarge and for sales results.

Ulysses S. Grant Peace Medal

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United States of America Presidential Peace Medal struck in 1871. A Ulysses S. Grant issue, and the only medal issued by the government without the name of the President whose image is on the medal. Face: "United States of America - Liberty Justice and Equality – ‘Let Us Have Peace’ " with profile of Grant along with pipe and laurel. Obverse: "On Earth Peace - Good Will Toward Men - 1871" along with the earth, Holy Bible, farm implements, surrounded by stars. It is known that 300 Grant medals were struck by the U.S. Mint and delivered to the Indian Office in 1871; we do not know know to whom this particular medal was issued. All pure silver and 2.55" in diameter. Hole drilled into the top center. 

Lot 151, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $6,655

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Presidential Medals
During the presidency of Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809), the US government began to issue “Presidential Peace Medals”, a practice that continued through to Benjamin Harrison's presidency (1889-1893). Each of these medals featured a likeness of the then-current President.
Medals accompanied almost all formal interactions between Native Americans and the US Federal Government. Unlike the medals that came before them that were issued alongside treaties, the Presidential medals were issued to select individuals, usually leading and influential chiefs. 
Early photographic portraits of Native American Chiefs often show them wearing medals, a testament to their importance. An example of this can be seen to the left, where Chief Red Shirt sits posed, his Ulysses S. Grant medal hanging prominently around his neck and accentuated by the lighting. The medals were held in such high regard that they were often to be buried with the owner, or passed down from generation to generation.

Leonard Reedy (1899-1956)

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Roping Wild Horses
Oil on canvas
25" x 30"
Signed lower left: LEONARD H. REEDY
Nameplate affixed to linen frame liner below painting, gold colored, with hand stenciled black letters, TO / R.D. DEXHEIMER / IN APPRECIATION OF FAITHFUL SERVICE / THE TEMPERANCE LEAGUE OF ILLINOIS
Affixed verso on cardboard backing Gallery Sticker, square, gold colored, with black letters, FOUNDED 1897 / FINDLAY / GALLERIES / INC. / CHICAGO
Framed to 32" x 36 3/4"

Provenance:
The Artist, Commissioned
Findlay Galleries Inc., Chicago, Illinois
R.D. Dexheimer, Chicago, Illinois, Gift from the Temperance League of Illinois
By descent in family, Chicago, Illinois
By descent in family, Missoula, Montana
 
Of the original owner of this painting:
This painting was presented by the Temperance League of Illinois to R.D. Dexheimer, a Chicago-area minister. The Temperance League of Illinois was originally founded as The Anti-Saloon League in 1898, with the mission to “open doors to freedom from addictive behavior for individuals and families in Illinois through public information, education, and legislation.” 
Source: www.ilcaaap.org

Lot 61, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $4,720.

Gene Rambo's 1948 Cheyenne Frontier Days Trophies

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"All Around Cowboy Champion" Gene Rambo's Cheyenne Frontier Days 1948 Championship Trophy Saddle, Buckle and Crockett Spurs. Won by Rambo for Calf Roping. The fabulous unmarked, silver and gold buckle is unused, and is in mint condition. It has a high relief gold rope edge and flowers with red stones. 2 1/4" x 3 1/2". The spurs are classic period stainless Crockett bronc hooks, heavily polished with engraved overlay. The saddle is by Colorado Saddlery, Denver, and is tooled in a floral pattern with "Presented by Montgomery Ward" on each of the rear jockeys. The fenders are maker-marked along with "Champion Calf Roper 1948 - Cheyenne Frontier Days". The seat is quilted and is 14 1/4"; the Cheyenne roll low roping cantle is 2 1/2". The spurs and buckles, along with other trophies, have been in a showcase for decades, and are descended through the Rambo family. Included in the lot are items of Rambo ephemera, including 2 circa 1950s coloring books "World's Champion Cowboy - at the Pendleton Roundup", original pay envelope, newspaper articles and other related items.

Lot 51, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $6,490

Gene Rambo (1920-1988) was one of America’s first great all-around Rodeo Cowboys. He was active in the International Rodeo Association in the 1940s and 1950s and won the IRA all-around cowboy season championship four times, including 1948. Rambo’s versatility was often praised, being one of the rare competitors to consistently win all three roughstock events (bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding) and all four timed events (steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping and steer roping).
In 1955, he was inducted into the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum's Rodeo Hall of Fame. The Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame inducted him in 1969. The ProRodeo Hall of Fame inducted him in 1989, and the California Rodeo Salinas Hall of Fame inducted him in 2010.

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Visalia Stock Saddle Co. Spurs

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These are Visalia's No. 81 fine California spurs with swell bands, intricate inlays and flat sided 2 1/4" shanks. The 10-point, 2" rowels have chevron chased points. Stamped inside heelband: "VISALIA STOCK SADDLE CO." Amazing condition and all original. As-new but no original finish remaining. Per Griff Durham, the leading Visalia authority, "Most Visalia iron was marked with a gang stamp, but they had so many contract makers some may not have had one provided and, as in this case, marked their work with individual letter stamps with the inevitable uneven results. Gutierrez, for example, used individual stamps for his maker's stamp, not all of the same scale in some cases.”

EX: Bill and Marilyn Lenox Collection.

Lot 156, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $5,310