Hollywood Classics Indain Chief Concho Belt

A belt mounted with seven, 2 3/4" sterling silver conchos with high relief Native Chief faces with full headdress. In the style of the famous Unger Bros. sterling sets. The matching 3" buckle is marked with the Hollywood Classics star and Sterling.

Item Dimensions: 34" L.

Lot 1121, Sold $6,600
Old West Auction – Las Vegas - Friday, January 24, 2025

A Crow Pony Beaded Bow Case And Arrow Quiver

A bow case with pink and blue striped beaded design at the top and bottom on Native tanned hide, 32" in length. The attached quiver has matching beaded decoration. The case exhibits a tasseled fringe end. The bow included is of the period and the arrows are correct period also. An early and pleasant example of Northern Plains weaponry and design.

Item Dimensions: 32" L.

Lot 1271, Sold $7,380
Old West Auction – Las Vegas - Friday, January 24, 2025

Impressive Fully Mounted Canon City Spurs

Classic styling and prominent in size, these striking Colorado penitentiary spurs measure 7" in overall length with stylized inlaid heelbands, partial drop shanks securing 2 1/4", 12-blunt point rowels and upturned buttons attached to two-piece floral carved leathers. Overall very fine condition with possibly replacement Canon City style inlaid rowels.

Lot 1242, Sold $7,995
Old West Auction – Las Vegas - Friday, January 24, 2025

A Blackfoot Buffalo Horn Headdress W/Ermine Drape

A circa late 1890s-1900 headdress of winter ermine, marabou, buffalo horn and beads. The head cap is made teepee material and covered in strips of ermine, with longer pendants and complete pelts suspended at the back. A pair of buffalo horns are each wrapped with blue glass beadwork at the tips and are tied to the center. Slight restoration to ermine at the back. 11" x 9" x 18".

Provenance: EX Chris Selser Collection

Item Dimensions: 11" x 9" x 18".

Lot 1212, Sold $9,000
Old West Auction – Las Vegas - Friday, January 24, 2025

Rare G.S. Garcia Double Heart Spurs

Highly desirable coin silver inlaid catalog Pat #9, double heart spurs, well maker-marked G.S. Garcia inside the 4" heelband of the right spur and ELKO NEV. (Dutch N) inside the left spur. Spurs feature deluxe triple heelchains, 2 3/8" inlaid partial drop shanks with barrel chap guard securing 2", 10-point rowels. Includes distinctive and charming Garcia domed 2 1/4" steerhead conchos. Fine, original condition, circa 1915.

Lot 1241, Sold $10,800
Old West Auction – Las Vegas - Friday, January 24, 2025

W. Herbert Dunton (1878-1936)

Pony Express Leaving St. Joseph 1861
Oil on board
24 1/4 x 43 in.
Signed lower right "Dunton"
Framed to 28 x 47 in.
Painted board is mounted on heavy board and heavily vanished. Noted in Missouri Valley Special Collections / Kansas City History - Entitled: Pony Express Leaving St. Joseph, 1861" Listed on photograph as No. 3. Date. 1923 (Murals)

Item Dimensions: Frame: 28" x 47".

Lot 1435, Sold $11,070
Old West Auction – Las Vegas - Friday, January 24, 2025

Quilled Plains Cree Mens Coat

A circa, middle of the 19th century Upper Missouri Metis or Cree long coat with dyed porcupine quills. Rosettes of quills on the back with wrapped drops. Fringe on the shoulders with quill wraps. Cut in the European military style and decorated overall with floral and vine quillwork in a curvilinear style some of which is worn and some missing. A wonderful fur trade era piece of outerwear popular in the mid-west to the Dakotas. 40" x 23"

Provenance: Oral History has this coat being collected by President Zachary Taylor

Item Dimensions: 40" x 23".

Lot 1197, Sold $11,400
Old West Auction – Las Vegas - Friday, January 24, 2025

Rare "Buffalo Bill's Wild West" Pennant Poster

A very scarce lithographed advertisement for "Buffalo Bill's Wild West / Pawnee Bill's Far East". Fabulous colorful pennant shaped poster with a regal Cody in the foreground surrounded by great graphics. Copyright 1910 Litho by Russell - Morgan Print. A very unusual tapered poster. Measures 80" x 24"

Item Dimensions: Frame: 84" x 26 1/2".

Lot 1184, Sold $16,800
Old West Auction – Santa Fe - Saturday, June 21, 2025

Northern Plains / Sioux Pictorial Beaded Vest

An impressive and stunning vest of native-tanned hide fully decorated on the outside with sinew-sewn seed beads in which pictorials sit on a white lazy-stitched ground. The pictorials on the front consist of two mounted warriors with feathered coup sticks, the reverse has two mounted men dressed in full regalia, to include headdresses and coup sticks sitting on blue horses, the top portion having pole mounted American flags. The condition of this vest is one of the best we have seen, 21" x 14" Comes on a custom acrylic and wood stand.

Item Dimensions: 21" x 14".

Lot 1069, Sold $19,200
Old West Auction – Santa Fe - Saturday, June 21, 2025

White Bull's Historic Ledger and Story Book

An important historical document relating the Indian battles in the west. The book is both visual and informative. The White Bull ledger book was created in the late 19th to early 20th century. It was written and drawn by White Bull (nephew of Sitting Bull) and records coups, combats, and winter counts of the Sioux. White Bull claimed to have killed Custer, an although this may or may not be true, the ledger book records battle scenes drawn by White Bull and probably is recording his fight with Custer and many other of his own personal battles. The book is a total of (162) pages, (120) with writing, (33) drawings, (28) blank pages many of which are across from a drawing. It is an intact document, most ledgers have been separated and sold page by page. The book measures 14" x 8 1/2" x 3/4" thick.

Author Mike Cowdrey has written "This Ledger book is White Bull's personal and original biographical account. In terms of Lakota historiography, this volume is comparable in importance to the diaries of Thomas Jefferson – a unique and irreplaceable resource."

White Bull (1849 – 1947) was the nephew of Sitting Bull, and a famous warrior in his own right. White Bull participated in the Battle of the Little Bighorn on June 25, 1876. After the battle, White Bull joined his uncle, Hunkpapa Sioux leader Sitting Bull, while fleeing to Canada.

Provenance: Morning Star Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Lot 1212, Sold $264,000
Old West Auction – Las Vegas - Friday, January 24, 2025

Breathtaking Edward H. Bohlin "Machris" Parade Saddle

Considered one of the standout pieces in the entire George Pitman collection, this exquisite two-tone brown floral carved Bohlin / Hollywood sterling and gold parade saddle, custom made for Louise Cottam of Santa Barbara, California, in the late 1930s is a slight variation on the Machris model that debuts in the 1937 Bohlin catalog one page following the "Cottam" saddle named for Louise's husband, Russell. According to Bohlin expert and author, James H. Nottage, "Louise and her husband, Russell both had fine Bohlin outfits which they rode in parades, horse shows and rodeos. Hers, in many ways more elegant, won prizes at the Santa Barbara Fiesta Days, the Bakersfield Frontier Days and other gatherings". The saddle features a figure-eight floral pattern and multiple pictorial carvings including a longhorn on the 14" seat and a beautifully detailed let 'er buck cowboy on the fenders which, according to Nottage, is characteristic of the work of Bohlin leather carver extraordinaire, Gabriel Diaz. The saddle itself is artistically adorned with leaf pattern conchos along the full perimeter interspersed with Bohlinmade silver spots. The entire front and cantle are fully silvered with a twisted rope edged gullet, horn cap with gold bucking horse and cantle cover. The leather saddle strings protrude just below an engraved silver and gold horsehead concho. The skirts and fenders are mounted with intricately engraved silver corner plates with gold vignettes featuring a bucking horse, longhorn, and one depicting Louise showing her horse picking up a lead into a canter and featured in a full page photo on pg 126 of Saddlemaker to the Stars. The elegant 22" Tapaderos are mounted with multiple gold horsehead conchos while the Breast Collar continues the overall silver leaf & silver spot theme but adds a bold central medallion with the name "Louise" in raised gold script above a golden show horse. A second Breast Collar is also included and appears to be of slightly later manufacture (1940s) mounted with round Bohlin horsehead conchos and a different style of Bohlin spots plus a centered three-dimensional gold longhorn concho. The fully matching Bridle continues the leaf and gold horsehead theme and is affixed to a matching bit and ferruled romal reins with adjustable slide. Saddle set includes a brown and white wool Corona Pad plus original cinch. Very fine, 100% original condition, circa 1937-1939 PROVENANCE: EX George Pitman Collection, Rancho Santa Fe, CA PICTURED: James H. Nottage, Saddlemaker to the Stars, The Leather and Silver Art of Edward H. Bohlin, Pgs 126-129 Louise Charlotte Rechner (Cottam) was born May 6, 1907 in Germany and emigrated to the United States in 1918 at age 11 marrying John Russell Cottam in Santa Barbara in 1925 when she was only 18. Louise was an equestrian enthusiast from an early age frequently showcasing her prized horses in shows, parades and rodeos around California. The Cottams has 2 daughters eventually moving to Las Vegas in 1950. Louise passed away in Los Angeles in December of 1980 at age 73

PROVENANCE: EX George Pitman Collection, Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Item Dimensions: Saddle: 33" x 26" x 49 1/2"

Lot 1161, Sold $228,000
Old West Auction – Las Vegas - Friday, January 24, 2025

Buffalo Bill's Presentation Sword Cane

Inscribed sword-stick cane presented to "Buffalo Bill" on his 45th birthday from his partner and Vice-President Nate Salsbury. The overall length is 38" long. The silver-plated handle is 5" long with a 1 7/8" diameter at the top where there is an ivory inset with a picture of Buffalo Bill wearing a Stetson hat, suit and tie with a cravat. Inscribed around the top rim of the handle "Col. W.F. Cody Buffalo Bill". The handle then tapers to 13/16" at the base. The blade is 27 1/2" long. The ebony sheaf is 33" long with a 7/8" ivory tip at the base. The silver plated rim of the scabbard incribed "From Your Friend Nate Salsbury 26th February 1891" includes silver hallmarks for 1891 and makers name of "George Fox of London". Also inscribed on the handle "Buffalo Bill's Wild West" and "America's National Entertainment" within a banner. Includes scenes of Buffalo Bill on horseback with his rifle along with an indian on horseback and young Bill Cody galloping on his horse depicting his days as an extra hand on a wagon train. Inscribed "1857 Billy Cody the boy messenger at the age of 12".

Lot 1130, Sold $15,600
Old West Auction – Las Vegas - Friday, January 24, 2025

Rare J. Tapia (1856 - 1931) Parrot Spade Bit

Classic Jesus Tapia (1856-1931) double parrot pattern engraved bit from the coveted early California maker. Large domed conchos with engraved rim above the figural cheeks. 100% original condition with one missing inlay on the slobber bar.

Provenance: Ex George Pitman Collection, Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Item Dimensions: 9" x 5" x 2 - 1/2".

Lot 1242, Sold $13,200
Old West Auction – Santa Fe - Saturday, June 22, 2024

Walla Walla, Washington Hitched Horsehair Bridle

Multicolored pink, green, orange and blue, with flat headband, brow and noseband, multiple natural beige and pink tassels, split reins with American flags. Early glass horsehead rosettes. Attached to inlaid kissing bird bit with severed half-breed. Fine overall condition, one wear spot on the reins. Circa 1910.

Provenance: Ex George Pitman Collection, Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Item Dimensions: 28" L.

Lot 1154, Sold $15,375
Old West Auction – Santa Fe - Saturday, June 22, 2024

Fred Fellows Caa (B. 1934)

Taking a Closer Look
Oil on canvas panel
30" x 48"
Signed lower right: Fellows CA and dated ©81 / titled on the front plaque
Framed to 40" x 58"

Item Dimensions: Frame: 40" x 58".

Lot 1298, Sold $28,160
Old West Auction – Santa Fe - Saturday, June 22, 2024

Fabulous Jesus Tapia California Spurs

Undeniably one of the highlights of the Gillett collection is this outstanding pair of Jesus Tapia (1856-1931) inlaid Los Angeles, Calif spurs, with the artisan’s distinctive design elements, including classic engraving, intricate filigreed cut-out floral silver inlays on both the stylized rooster-head 2 3/4" shanks and bands encircled by a twisted coin silver inlaid rope, filed 14-point 2 1/4" iron rowels, and trademark flat silver inlaid, flower centered stationary buttons attached to two-piece floral carved russet-colored leathers. Very fine original condition, circa 1915-1920.

Provenance: Ex Ron & Linda Gillett Collection

Lot 1286, Sold $66,000
Old West Auction – Santa Fe - Saturday, June 22, 2024

The Legendary Edward H. Bohlin Justin Dart "Disney" Saddle

Custom ordered for self-made industrialist, political kingmaker and Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree, Justin W. Dart (1907-1984), this near-mythical Edward H. Bohlin silver and gold mounted parade saddle is adorned with multiple silver and gold figural conchos, but what sets it apart from all other Bohlin saddles is the Disney homage on the swell caps, depicting a gold "Cowboy" Mickey Mouse twirling a rope with the name "Walt Disney" in gold cursive letters just below the iconic mouse. While both historians and Bohlin collectors have speculated and argued for years if or how Dart was able to get Ed Bohlin to replicate the highly protected Disney trademarked mouse image, it is well known that both Justin Dart and Walt Disney traveled in similar California social and political circles and Dart's wife, Jane Bryan, was a well-liked actress in Hollywood. However, the most obvious and deepest overlapping connection would probably be Ronald Reagan, who both men were closely associated with for many decades. Setting Mickey and Walt aside for now, the rest of this special order "San Gabriel" style parade saddle is rather impressive, with its gold-laden corner plates and square rope-edge silver conchos featuring gold bucking horses, longhorns, eagles, Indians, animals, buffalo, ranch brands, guns, dogs, religious imagery, a pipe (random) and several images that were obviously personal to Mr. Dart alone. The saddle is made on a Miles City tree, with a 15" seat, 15" swells, 5" cantle with twisted rope edge, 15" by 30" skirts, 9" fenders, and regal 24" long tapaderos. The horn replicates the rope edge of the cantle and gullet and is topped with Bohlin's familiar gold buffalo head concho. The fully matching breast collar, bridle and overlaid curb bit were also personalized by the owner with a combination of gold figures that do appear in the Bohlin catalog and many others that were custom made by Ed for this very discriminating client. The unique saddle set includes a black and white corona, cinch and wooden display stand.

Provenance: Ex George Pitman Collection, Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Justin Dart Sr. (1907 - 1984) was a self-made California millionaire who was one of a small group of men of similar backgrounds who played a key role in launching President Reagan into politics. A major political contributor and fundraiser, the jut-jawed Mr. Dart was a colorful and plain-spoken businessman to whom political observers accorded a prominent place in what they termed President Reagan's "kitchen cabinet," an unofficial group of friends, advisers and confidants. After starting in business as an employee of his father-in-law's drugstore, Mr. Dart went on to become head of Dart Industries, a diversified commercial empire, which in 1980 earned profits of $172 million. After marrying Ruth Walgreen, a daughter of the owner of the Walgreen Drug Co., he was sent to Phoenix to learn the pharmacy business. Advancing swiftly in the company, he was made head of store operations by 1932. Although he and his wife were divorced seven years later, the chain's founder, Charles Walgreen, left a substantial share of the business to his former son-in-law. Within a few years, Mr. Dart left Walgreen to join an old college fraternity brother in forming the United Drug Co., which operated four chains of stores. He moved to California in 1945 and renamed his company Rexall Drug Co. the next year. In 1969 it became Dart Industries, whose profits came from such products as Tupperware, Duracell batteries and West Bend pots and pans. In 1980, the concern merged with Kraft Inc., and Mr. Dart became chairman of the combined company. A gregarious man who was popular with other wealthy figures, Mr. Dart became important in California politics both as a contributor and fundraiser, and was widely regarded in his state as a political kingmaker. In many ways he appeared characteristic of those who were attracted to Reagan early on. Within the "kitchen cabinet", Mr. Dart was perhaps distinguished for his opinionated outspokenness. In 1982 he sent a letter of apology to President Gerald Ford after a newspaper quoted Mr. Dart as saying in vivid language that the former president lacked intelligence. Mr. Dart was a director emeritus of United Air Lines and UAL Inc. Active in civic affairs, he was chairman of the board of trustees of the University of Southern California from 1967 to 1971, and was a trustee of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles. He also was a member of the board of the Eisenhower Medical Center in Palm Desert, Calif. After his divorce in 1939, Mr. Dart married actress Jane Bryan in 1940, with whom he remained married for 44 years.

Lot 1320, Sold $300,000
Old West Auction – Santa Fe - Saturday, June 22, 2024

Documented Dalton Colt Single Action Army From the Legendary 10 Gun Shipment to the Dalton Gang

In the words of R.L. Wilson, this is "One of the most thoroughly documented of any antique American firearms, the history of the Bob or Emmett Dalton Single Action Army No 147306", with an accompanying plethora of documents, affidavits, articles, factory letter, etc. Colt records show this gun by serial number having been shipped on August 18th, 1892 to Simmons Hardware for one A. E. Williams. The order was for a total of (10) nearly identical revolvers listed as factory engraved, 5 1/2, blue and case color, grips not listed. Serial listed numbers are 147290, 142298 (at Davis Museum), 147303, 147304, 147305 (Autry Museum, purported to be Emmett Dalton's), 147306 (this gun, accompanied by an article on this revolver by R. L. Wilson and attributed to either Emmett or Bob; this gun is pictured on the cover of the June 1995 Gun Report by Bill Gerber, which is included and where he confirms this association), 147307, (which was purchased by H.W. Read after the raid of October 5th, 1892 and was put on display by him), 147308, 147311 and 147338 (which was part of the Pemberton Collection). All known examples except one are reported to have pearl grips.

There are accompanying articles explaining that the gang had ordered these ten guns, two for each member of the gang who went to Coffeyville that fateful day on October 5th, 1892. They included Bob, Grat and Emmett Dalton, Dick Broadwell and Bill Powers. Bob, Grat, Dick Broadwell and Bill Powers were all killed that day. Emmett was captured having been shot approximately 23 times. Stories about these fancy shooting irons are based on eyewitness accounts, probate certificates and period stories, such as the March 17, 1942, letter from Martin to Davis, stating that Emmett’s old colt had been “used in all robberies by the Dalton gang until the day before the Coffeyville Robbery, when the give [five] outlaws used ten brand new .45 Colts."

Emmett Dalton’s estate, which had gone first to his writing partner Chuck Martin, then to Oceanside, Calif., chief of police Captain Harold Davis, and then to Davis’ daughter. Included in Dalton’s personal effects and photos was his U.S. deputy marshal’s badge. Davis had framed the badge and a 1935 photo of Emmett Dalton presenting Martin with the badge and his engraved .44-40-caliber Colt single-action revolver, Serial No. 83073. This was the gun he used until he acquired his fancy pair of Colts. "A controversial legend persists about the Daltons having 'duded' themselves up with new clothes, horses, saddles and fancy pistols so that they would look respectable when they robbed two banks at the same time."

According to Wilson, this gun, as well as the other known specimens, were engraved by famed Colt engraver Cuno Helfricht. It is finished in blue and case colors and fitted with two-piece pearl grips. It exhibits nearly full coverage engraving in typical Helfricht style. The frame displays bank note type scroll, as does the barrel, all done with punch dot background. Balance of engraving is in decorative border, sunburst type lines, alternating cylinder patterns, and dots. Screws are nitre blued.

CONDITION: Outstanding. Matching numbers. Some muted case colors are showing with more in protected areas. Cylinder retains about 80% bright blue with high edge wear, some toning, minor surface wear, about what one would expect from a holstered gun. Barrel retains some bright blue with balance having flaked to patina with high edge holster wear. Ejector housing shows large percentage of blue, especially in protected area. Rear grip strap is patina while front strap retains mix of patina with bright blue. Nice flashes of case color remain on hammer. All edges and engraving are crisp. Pearl grips are nicely fitted, toned, with no cracks. Screws retains substantial fire blue. Action has all four clicks. The bore is bright. This gun, is of course, a black powder frame with locking screw in front. There is so much documentation that one could write an entire book simply on this gun and would be redundant to press all this information in this description. Nor is it prudent to tell the entire story of the Dalton gang or the Coffeyville raid as several books have been already written on this subject, one that has become one of the most noted events of outlawry of the Wild West. Simply put, this firearm is one of the most important weapons of that era to come to market and is truly a museum-worthy artifact.

Barrel Length: 5 - 1/2"
Caliber/Bore: .45 Colt
FFL Status: Antique
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: SAA
Paperwork: Tub of Information, Copy of Factory Letter
Serial Number: 147306

Lot 1342, Sold $228,000
Brian Lebel's Santa Fe Old West Events Auction - Saturday, June 22, 2024