Wyatt Earp's guns being auctioned.

[Guest PapaB]

http://www.wafb.com/story/25073891/gun-believed-to-be-used-by-wyatt-earp-in-ok-corral-shootout-up-for-bid

 

The provenance on these is under question because of the reputation a former owner.

 

I'd love to own a firearm previously owned by a well known lawman like Earp, Masterson or Tillman.

[gun sane]

Mysteries are enough to stoke a fire nowadays.  The serious collectors may stay away, but there will be plenty of wannabes to start a good bidding war.

Edited March 26, 2014 by gun sane

[Guest TresOsos]

Destroyed the serial number(s) during a tantrum..........?

 

Pretty much ruined the value of that Colt.

[Jonnin]

I can't see the price of a house for a "might possibly could have once" belonged to someone pistol.  

 

Now if they could prove it...

[bersaguy]

Well, okay let me see if I got this right. We all know that no one back in the old west was required to register their firearms. So serial numbers may or may not belong to any said persons gun. How would anyone be able to prove even with a serial number that it was in fact Earps gun? Just like that shotgun they sold previously. How can they actually prove it was Earps Shotgun? Who comes up with the real proof of the original owner of a gun that was owned by a good guy or bad guy back in the post Civil War years can actually prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that a gun belonged to a certain person back then. I have often wonder this over the years just how this is done. I know about 5 years ago they had a gun auction and were selling guns that belonged Jesse and Frank James.  Just like the auction of Bonnie Parker's nickle plated model 1902 38 semi auto. How do they know that the gun didn't belong to Clyde. I mean according to what records are available Bonnie and Clyde always had a small arsenal of guns at their disposal and used what ever they could lay their hands on when they needed a gun. I just find all of it hard to prove to be actual fact of things for back in those days as belonging to any one person over another........................jmho. I am not nor ever will be a Curio collector because I would never have that kind of money to tie up in guns but I just find all of it mysterious..........jmho

[gun sane]

You have the say so of the guy who wrote a few questionable histories of Earp and what he says the family said.  Isn't that proof enough to lay down a quarter million dollars? 

[gregintenn]

Buy the gun, not the story. That is my motto.

[Guest PapaB]

What's really sad to me is that Earp lived until 1929 so there should be solid provenance available for his possessions. It's a shame that the records of some things of historical significance haven't been maintained better.

[Capbyrd]

Well, okay let me see if I got this right. We all know that no one back in the old west was required to register their firearms. So serial numbers may or may not belong to any said persons gun. How would anyone be able to prove even with a serial number that it was in fact Earps gun? Just like that shotgun they sold previously. How can they actually prove it was Earps Shotgun? Who comes up with the real proof of the original owner of a gun that was owned by a good guy or bad guy back in the post Civil War years can actually prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that a gun belonged to a certain person back then. I have often wonder this over the years just how this is done. I know about 5 years ago they had a gun auction and were selling guns that belonged Jesse and Frank James.  Just like the auction of Bonnie Parker's nickle plated model 1902 38 semi auto. How do they know that the gun didn't belong to Clyde. I mean according to what records are available Bonnie and Clyde always had a small arsenal of guns at their disposal and used what ever they could lay their hands on when they needed a gun. I just find all of it hard to prove to be actual fact of things for back in those days as belonging to any one person over another........................jmho. I am not nor ever will be a Curio collector because I would never have that kind of money to tie up in guns but I just find all of it mysterious..........jmho

 

 

In a lot of cases, the company sold guns straight to individuals.  I have seen where the manufacturer had records of that serial being sent to certain people. 

[RichardR]

Sad that the tard filled off the serial numbers on that Colt, not only did that (maybe) damage a piece of American Old West history, it also poteentially places the Colt in danger of confiscation/destruction & it's owner in danger of a potentional felony charge of defacement/removal under the assinine Gun Contral Act of 68'.

Granted that Colt would be considered "Grandfathered" by any sort of reasonable interpretation of the law, but when dealing with some of the more ideological authorities on any sort of firearm related issue the word: "reasonable" is generally not found within their vocabulary.

[RandyC]

If they throw in a couple of original Geronimo playing cards I might go for it.