LOT #40234 |
Sold on Dec 12, 2022 for: Sign-in
or Join (free & quick)
Winchester Model 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine Attributed and Marked BELLE STARR.. ...
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Sold on Dec 12, 2022 for:
$12,500.00
Bid Source: Internet bidder
Get one of these:
Explore Available Items
Description
The Most Colorful Outlaw the Indian Territory Ever Knew!
Winchester Model 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine Attributed and Marked
BELLE STARR.Serial no.163975, 20-inch round barrel, 44-40 caliber. Originally blued finish. Brass frame. Top of barrel marked WINCHESTER'S REPEATING ARMS, NEW HAVEN CT. / KING'S IMPROVEMENT - PATENT [dates]. Right side of buttstock marked with copper cut outs BELLE STARR, left side with a shape of a [BELL] and [STAR] copper cutouts. Two auction tags from previous sale, appears to be from the Tom Kielman's Auction of Round Rock, TX describing the gun and history.
Sold together with extensive binder and research material related to Belle Starr ownership and the trying to authenticate this Winchester. Some highlights are of correspondence letters between Norman Krasley and various people, including Guns and Ammo Magazine, NRA and relatives of previous owners who might of had contact with the Winchester at some point. Below are letters we thought were important to point out from the grouping.
Comprising; 1) Copy of letter from Gordon J. Griffith to Norman Krasley dated Sept. 7, 1964 regarding the history of the Belle Starr Winchester he sold. "In answer to your request for information regarding the old rifle I sold you some time ago., with the name "BELLE STARR" inlet into the stock, I am afraid I cannot tell you very much, but here is what I known. I found the rifle in a pawn shop in Sharon, Penna. about 1922. It had been left as security on a loan and never reedemmed. I bought it, and in an effort to learn about it I wrote to the National Rifle Association describing the gun...........The letter was answered by Col. Townsend Whelen, and he said that he remembered reading a description of a similar gun published in a Sportsman Magazine........about 1910. The article was written by a Dr. Sutton of Kansas City, Mo. I then wrote to Dr. Sutton, describing the gun, and asked him for any information he could give me. He answered, saying, that he had owned a gun similar to the one I described, but it was no longer in his possession. That the gun he had owned was taken from the saddle scabbard on Belle Stats horse the day she was shot. That it had her name inlet on the stock, in copper letters and on the other side a copper bell and a star.............The description is the same, except that it was in better condition when he had it. The inletting of the name and the bell and star are rather crude, as though done with a pocket knife around a campfire. At any rate this old rifle has seen some action, it would be interesting to know just what. I am, sincerely, Gordon J. Griffith" [signed]. Other side has article / info on Belle Starr. 2) A 1943, 24 page pamphlet titled: Belle Starr / The Bandit Queen / The Career of the Most Colorful Outlaw the / Indian Territory Ever Knew / by / William Yancey Shackleford. 3) Photocopy of letter from Norman's Covered Wagon, dated February 1, 1978, "TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, THIS WINCHESTER CARBINE MODEL, 1866 CAL. 44-40 SERIAL NO. 163975, HAS BEEN IN OUR COLLECTION SINCE 1956. SOLD THIS DATE TO GLEN E. MATTOX." [Signed] Norman E. Krasley. 4) Photocopy receipt from Glen Mattox to new owner in 1978. "I Glen Mattox have this day sold to Mr. Richard Riss one 1866 Winchester SR# 163975, To the best of my knowledge this is the Rifle that belonged to Belle Starr" [signed] Glen Mattox. 5) Photocopy of letter from Norman E. Krasley to Oklahoma Historical Society looking for a copy of the book titled HANDS UP!. In it, [photocopies provided and highlighted in the Belle Starr binder from later findings by Norman] show Fred E. Sutton [image] holding what appears to be this Winchester, pages 229-230 describe this gun very closely to this Winchester. Note: All documents and provenance in the Belle Starr binder are mostly photocopies.
Belle Starr (1848-1889) was born Myra Belle Shirley near Carthage, Missouri where she spent her childhood. Her family moved to Scyene, Texas in 1864. Early on, Belle associated with a number of known criminals including Jesse James and his gang, and the Youngers, many of whom had served with her brother in Quantrill's raiders during the Civil War. In 1866, she married an outlaw named Jim Reed who was killed in 1874. She then wed Cherokee outlaw Sam Starr in 1880 and went to live in the Indian Territory. Her home there became a hangout for various outlaws. In 1883, she and her husband were convicted of horse stealing and Belle did nine months in a House of Corrections in Detroit, Michigan.
Condition: Fair, heavy wear throughout. Finish now a dark metal patina with scattered pitting. Brass has a nice dark toning overall with fine scratches and handling. Wood with multiple dents, bruising, cracks and separations. Extra screws in stock probably from old repairs. Action functions, bore dark. Nelson A. Faerber Collection.
Auction Info
2022 December 12 Arms & Armor, Civil War & Militaria Signature® Auction #6261 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2022
12th
Monday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 1
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,133
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% on the first $300,000 (minimum $49), plus 20% of any amount between $300,000 and $3,000,000, plus 15% of any amount over $3,000,000 per lot.
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms