J.P. Lower Retailer Marked Sheriff Model Colt Model 1878 Double Action Revolver Attributed as the Revolver of U.S. Marshall William Thompson Jr. with Rig and Research Manufactured in 1880. It features an ejectorless barrel with the two-line address on top, "J.P. LOWER" on the left side of the frame, "45 CAL" on the trigger guard below, the serial number on the butt, standard sights, and checkered grips. A letter on E. Dixon Larson letterhead indicates M. S. Huber of Colt confirmed it was part of a six gun shipment sent to J. P. Lower on February 5, 1880, with a .45 caliber, 4 inch barrels and blue finish. A March 2, 1951, statement by Mima Briggs Jones of Beaver, Utah, indicates her husband "My husband, John Walter Jones, was given this gun by Oscar Thompson who was the son of William Thompson Jr. . .the United States Deputy Marshall who killed Edward M. Dalton in December 16, 1886. Dalton was killed for having more than one wife. Thompson was tried and found innocent and merely doing his duty. This revolver #4338, belonged and was used by Marshall Thompson while he was the marshall in this area. [signed] Mima Briggs Jones." Consignor information indicates the revolver was loaned for display at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center on January 20, 1995. Copies of period documents and photos discussing the death of Edward Meeks Dalton are also included. He was unarmed when he was shot by Marshall Thompson during an attempted arrest on December 16, 1886, in Parowan, Utah, for violation of the Edmunds Anti-Polygamy Law. The period testimonies indicate Thompson had shot Dalton with a borrowed a .32 caliber Browning rifle that had been retrieved from a neighbor by Daniel Page. Two included articles by E. Dixon Larson and the consignor's statements claim the shot was fired from this revolver. Thompson reported that he had intended to fire above the man after he did not respond to his commands to halt and that the gun went off earlier than he thought it would. Other witnesses claimed the shot rang out almost immediately after the call to halt and claim Dalton was not trying to flee. Dalton was the only Mormon killed by U.S. Marshalls during the crusade against polygamy in the late 19th century that finally ended when the Church of Latter Day Saints officially suspended the practice in October of 1890. A nicely fitting, Aztec themed tooled holster and plain gun belt with hammered silver buckle are included, but they are not believed to be related to Marshall Thompson. Manufacturer: Colt Model: 1878 BBL: 4 inch round Stock: Gauge: 45 Long Colt Finish: blue Grips: checkered walnut Serial Number: 4338 Class: Antique Condition: Fair with mottled gray-brown patina throughout, some vice and tool marks, mild pitting and light oxidation, and general signs of frontier use. The grips are fair and have partially smoothed period custom checkering, numerous small marks, and repairs on the right panel. Mechanically fine. The leather goods are good.

  • Condition: See Description

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by Rock Island Auction Company
May 5, 2017 9:00 AM CDT
7819 42nd Street West
Rock Island, IL, US 61201

Rock Island Auction Company

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
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