LOT #44199 |
Sold on Jun 22, 2013 for: Not Sold
Henry Rifle with Great Early Virginia City, Nevada, Connection....
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Description
From the Fitterer Family Collection
Henry Rifle with Great Early Virginia City, Nevada, Connection. This Henry belonged to Samuel J. Black, who arrived from the California gold fields in 1859. Joined by his brother John L. Black, he went into partnership in 1861 with M. D. Howell to open Black and Howell General Store in the center of town at the corner of C and Taylor Streets.On May 5, 1888, S. J. Black was the victim of one of the town's most notorious murders. As reported in the "Virginia City Territorial Enterprise": "MURDER MOST FOUL/ John L. Black shoots and brains his brother/ the most Hideous Butchery in the history of the Comstock - The Victim's skull beaten into a Bickering [sic] mass - the Awful Wind-up of a series of Quarrels Between the Two Old Men Over Property Jointly Owned by Them."
An extensive dossier accompanies the lot, including details of the crime and historical information and images documenting the roles of the Blacks and Howell in early Virginia City history.
The name "S. J. Black" is stamped into the barrel flat and "SJB" on the top of the butt plate. Condition is good: barrel gray and brown with minor dents, brown gray patina to trigger, hammer, and loading lever. Excellent patina to brass. Butt plate well worn from use and the stock shows wear & minor nicks. Rear right is a period replacement which appears to have been fashioned from another rifle barrel. Serial number 5808. This may well be the only Henry rifle which can be documented to the early days of Virginia City.
Provenance: Witherell's, Elk Grove, California, who purchased the gun in 1974 from an elderly Virginia City resident.
Auction Info
2013 June 22 - 23 Legends of the Wild West Signature Auction - Dallas #6101 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
June, 2013
22nd-23rd
Saturday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 0
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,639
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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