Identified .32 Caliber Harrington & Richardson Revolver, Holster and Deputy Sheriff Badge
Item #: AA3779
Click on an image to enlarge
This is a .32 caliber Harrington & Richardson revolver, leather hip holster and Deputy Sheriff badge identified to E. E. Johnston of Tombstone, Arizona. Johnston is listed in an auction house write up as having served as a Deputy Sheriff in Cochise County, Tombstone, Arizona from 1888 to 1900. This exact grouping is illustrated on page 200 of "Gunsmoke and Saddle Leather Firearms in the Nineteenth Century American West" written by Charles Worman. Mr. Worman spent more than 30 years with the National Museum of the US Air Force, retiring as the Deputy Director/Curator at the Wright Patterson facility in Dayton, Ohio. He is a life member of the Company of Military Historians and served as a firearms consultant for several museums. The revolver is a First Model Premier six shot, .32 caliber top break gun made by Harrington & Richardson. The nickel plated finish is nearly 100% intact on the barrel, frame, cylinder and trigger guard, but is thinning to nonexistent on the backstrap and manual ejector rod. This Premier is a first variation, being manufactured between 1895 and April of 1896. The only stamps on the gun are the serial number of 748 on the left side of the backstrap under the grip and HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON.WORCHESTER.MASS.U.S.A. on top of the barrel. The 3 1/4" ribbed barrel shows no pitting and good rifling remaining. The grips have an elaborate floral pattern showing some wear from handling. On the inside of each grip the number 748 has been hand written in pencil. The trigger and hammer are case hardened, the mechanics of the gun work perfectly. Engraved on the bottom of the backstrap is E E Johnston. The hip holster the gun came in is made of a dark brown leather. It is a three piece design, with the holster being sewn to a thicker piece of leather. That was then sewn onto another thick piece of leather for support I assume. There is one rivet used in the construction of the holster. The holster is securely sewn onto the backing piece with no broken stitching. The stitching that holds the two thicker pieces of leather is broken all the way down the right side, all across the top and about 2" down the left side. There are six loops sewn onto the left side of the holster for spare cartridges, the stitching on four of the loops is broken. The six point star badge is in good condition. It is made of a non magnetic material with the words DEPUTY SHERIFF stamped in slight arcs over a broken line in the center. The pin on the back is still securely attached to the badge. The only marking on the back of the badge is a small m or w inside a circle. This is a nice representative lawman's grouping from the wild west days, and this one worked the streets of "The town to tough to die"!
Shipping Weight:
6 lbs
Your Price $3,500.00 USD
We are currently not accepting on-line orders. If you see something you would like give us a call.