Hollywood Lights

Historic movie memorabilia pushes Brian Lebel’s Mesa Old West show over $2 million in sales.

Late in Henry Hathaway’s 1969 version of True Grit—some would say the only version of the famous Western—John Wayne’s U.S. Marshall character, Rooster Cogburn, rides out into a meadow to confront a line of outlaws. He bites down on the reins, draws a revolver and chambers a round into his 1892 Winchester rifle by doing an elegant flip maneuver using a larger-than-normal lever loop modified for this very purpose. It’s classic Wayne, in one of the most iconic scenes in all of Westerns. Winchester 1892 SRC used by John Wayne in True Grit and Rooster Cogburn Estimate: $65/75,000 SOLD: $88,500

Steve McQueen’s film-used revolver and holster from Nevada Smith Estimate: $10/14,000 SOLD: $26,550

So when the exact Winchester used by Wayne in True Grit and its sequel, Rooster Cogburn, sold at the Mesa Old West Sale on January 23, show owner Brian Lebel was asked if the new owners had likely tried the flip after their purchsae. “Oh, I bet they didn’t even wait to get home to try it,” he says with a laugh. “Other than being a classic piece of Hollywood, that’s why you buy that gun in the first place.”

The Winchester—which sold at $88,500, over its $75,000 high estimate—was the top lot of a sale that realized more than $2 million. The annual event, held in Mesa, Arizona, featured a stunning variety of Hollywood material this year, including a number of pieces worn, used and owned by Wayne, including several of his famous costumes from Red River, Rooster Cogburn, The Shootist, The Undefeated and one of his iconic bib-front shirts from The Searchers. Ronald Reagan’s Edward H. Bohlin saddle Estimate: $7/9,000 SOLD: $41,300

Edward Borein (1872-1945), Bucking Horse, pen and ink, 75/8 x 5¼” Estimate: $8/12,000 SOLD: $18,880

Hollywood guns were also hot items at the sale with lots that included Danny Glover’s rifles and bandoliers from Silverado, Marlon Brando’s revolvers from One-Eyed Jacks, Steve McQueen’s revolver from Nevada Smith, Channing Tatum’s revolvers from The Hateful Eight and Lee Marvin’s single-action Colt from The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, which sold for $19,000, well over its $14,000 high estimate.

Artwork that sold well included pieces by Marjorie Reed, Edward Borein and Nicholas Firfires. The auction is also known for its wide selection of bits and spurs, rare and historic saddles, Navajo weavings and bronzes, and this year all of those categories were represented. Marjorie Reed (1915-1996), The Midnight Stage, oil on board, 5 x 7” Estimate: $6/900 SOLD: $4,840

“Like everyone else, I had no idea what to expect. I knew we had a really quality auction with a lot of amazing material, and I was hopeful with the increase in registered bidders, but it’s been a hard year to predict things,” says Lebel, who was impressed at the online turnout for the sale. “How can those of us in the Western collecting community not be encouraged? Prices were high and people were excited; it’s what we hope for every year.” —

Top 10 Lots: Brian Lebel’s Mesa Old West Sale, January 23, 2021 (with buyer’s premiums)
Artist Title Low /High Estimate SOLD
John Wayne’s True Grit Winchester 1892 SRC $65/75,000 $88,500
Rare Sharps Model 1874 No. 1 Creedmoor Target Rifle $30/35,000 $53,100
Rare Sharps Model 1874 No. 1 Creedmoor Target Rifle $6/8,000 $44,250
Ronald Reagan’s Edward H. Bohlin Saddle $7/9,000 $41,300
U.S. Cavalry Colt Single Action Army $9/11,000 $35,400
U.S. Cavalry Colt Single Action Army $9/11,000 $35,400
Colt and Remington from Have Gun Will Travel $15/20,000 $32,450
Winchester Model 1866 Musket from Battle of Liberty Place $15/18,000 $32,450
John Wayne’s Iconic Hat from Cahill U.S. Marshal $3/4,000 $29,500
Montana Shipped Sharps Model 1874 Rifle $9/11,000 $29,500