The story of the West often is a story of outlaws. And the most famous outlaw was arguably Billy the Kid, whose life ended July 14, 1881, at Fort Sumner in New Mexico Territory. 
Pat Garrett’s single-action army revolver, serial number 55093, used to kill Billy the Kid, .44-40-caliber revolver with 7½-inch barrel Estimate: $2/3 million
The gun that took his life, Pat Garrett’s single-action army revolver, will be offered to bidders on August 5 in Los Angeles during Bonhams’ auction The Early West: The Collection of Jim and Theresa Earle. Estimated at $2 million to $3 million, the .44-40-caliber gun—serial number: 55093—will lead a historic collection of Western items, including one of the most important and well-documented collection of firearms belonging to Western lawmen and outlaws. The grouping was assembled over the course of 40 years by Jim Earle, a beloved engineering professor at Texas A&M, and his wife, Theresa. The collection includes historical firearms, Western manuscripts and memorabilia, and Western art. 
Rare Virgil Earp tintype Estimate: $20/30,000
“Jim and Theresa were fastidious collectors and their attention to provenance and thorough research shows in every aspect in this once in a generation collection,” says Darren Sutherland, Bonhams’ senior specialist of books and manuscripts. “We are thrilled to be offering this fantastic collection of lawmen and outlaw’s firearms, as well as an incredible collection of supporting manuscripts, photographs and ephemera from the early West.”
Other highlights from the sale include Bat Masterson’s revolver (est. $200/300,000), John Wesley Hardin’s revolver that he was carrying when he was killed (est. $100/200,000), John Selman’s Colt used to kill Hardin (est. $100/150,000), a rare Virgil Earp tintype (est. $20/30,000) and Wild Bill Hickock’s prized Springfield 1870 rifle (est. $150/200,000). Hickock was buried with the rifle, which was retrieved when his body was moved in 1879, three years after his death.
For more information about the sale visit www.bonhams.com. —
Powered by Froala Editor
