From the Vault: Wild Bill Hickok's Colt 1851 Navy

Get ready for a History Rush, folks! Brownells Gun Tech™ Keith Ford is at Rock Island Auction Co. to give us a long look at a Colt 1851 Navy revolver attributed to Old West legend James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok. While the gun's provenance isn't perfect, Rock Island's Joel Colander points to several factors that indicate it WAS Wild Bill's Colt. It is one of a pair of matching ivory-gripped, heavily engraved 1851s only 17 serial number apart, formerly owned by the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, Wyoming. The serial numbers fit the period when Wild Bill was known to carry Colt 1851s with ivory grips. Hickok historian Joseph Rosa has concluded that this gun was indeed owned by Wild Bill. Rosa is no pushover: he has also disproven Hickok ownership of several guns attributed to the law man, scout, gambler, showman, and gunfighter. Rosa believes this gun and the matching Colt 1851 in the Cody were the same two Colts auctioned off to help cover Hickok's funeral expenses after that fatal poker game in Deadwood, Dakota Territory. They sold for only 25¢ a piece! A shocking price for guns that cost a pretty penny when they left the Colt factory. The Rock Island gun is not in mint condition. There's some holster wear, and it's definitely been used but WELL cared for. The engraving is still crisp, and the nicely aged ivory grips are in beautiful condition.

[@richardkluesek4301]

During his career, Wild Bill and other professionals using percussion revolvers would customarily fire off all the rounds every morning, clean, and reload their sidearms to ensure reliability. Moisture from humidity and the temperature changes from day into night could contaminate the powder or caps. And it was a training routine. So the handguns would theoretically have been discharged at least as much as 42 times per week, a consideration to estimate wear and tear. Buffalo Bill Cody preferred a Remington Army Model 1858 counterpart.

[@johncox2865]

Exactly. That’s one reason for his amazing skill.

[@1945tigers]

The Cody museum is such a wonderful place.Everyone should visit it.

[@jackspring7709]

It's in excellent condition. The Colt Navy 1851 is a great looking gun: it's the shooter featured in that famous gun store scene in 'The Good The Bad and The Ugly' where Tuco puts all the parts of different guns together to customise his own.

[@BertShackleford]

I personally got to handle Wyatt Earp's revolver when it passed thru the Windsor Collection. In fact, I remember that moment fondly and I didn't even have to wear any gloves. Not like any of the gloves they had would even fit my tiny hands at that time. I was 11 years old if I remember correctly. They instructed me to thoroughly wash my hands three times and I would be good-to-go. Afterwards, my skin was so dry from using the final hand solution that there was no risk of any oils rubbing off on this iconic pistol. It was truly an honor to hold such a remarkable piece of American History. Stay classy my friends.

[@wacojones8062]

I wonder if that is the same gun my dad had around 1937 to maybe spring1942 before the Army finally accepted him as a volunteer for the draft with only one eye. He served in the Pacific as a Medic riding troop ships out and back twice and working station hospitals waiting for a ship load of patients to be ready to ship back to Frisco. I still have a photo somewhere of the guns he had and sold before he shipped out. He sold them all to a collector with paperwork for the Pistol.

[@gijoe508]

What kind of gun was it?

[@SuperPresidentBeefbroth]

I doubt wyatt earp cared about his hand oils back in the day thought ahahah

[@SuperOtter13]

That is the coolest thing I've seen on from the vault. Gave me goosebumps just thinking about holding it. Thank you for sharing this with us sirs. If my powerball ticket hits I will definitely bid

[@billfisher6708]

I saw this pistol at the Cody museum a few years ago and I got goose bumps just looking at it. Wow!

[@63DW89A]

The ivory gripped 1851 Navy Colts were presented to Hickok in 1869 by Massachusetts U.S. Senator Henry Wilson. Hickok had guided Wilson on a hunting trip on the Western Frontier in 1868. Prior to the presentation 1851's, as documented in pre-1869 photographs, Hickok had carried a pair of the regular finish, walnut-gripped 1851's.

[@treynienhuser2616]

I kind of wonder if he used these as his everyday carries or if he used them more as show pieces. He had these when he was murdered but I wonder what happened to his other set?

[@RockIslandAuctionCompany]

Always a treat, Keith. Thanks for letting us show the good stuff!

[@TheRKFord]

Always enjoy getting to spend time with you and perusing all the good stuff.

[@CoreyWilson]

Crazy that this ended up selling for $616,875

[@dickgoesinya9419]

pretty good for a quarter investment

[@CountryBoy-zl4fh]

You know this is the real gun that Hickok carried cause Brandon said he's coming to get it too!

[@S1L3NTG4M3R]

THANKS - - THIS is the coolest thing I've seen on from the vault.

[@tinman8518]

Amazing! Thanks for showing her off!

[@clutchcargo1239]

Wow, this gun looks like it should be a museum piece.

[@johnqpublic2718]

That's an incredible piece.

[@WalnutandSteel]

Thanks Keith! Love it!

[@badmoon7549]

Beyond cool.

[@para1324]

I have been to his grave site. After he died Calamity Jane was buried right next to him. I wonder what he might have thought about that.

[@billm2078]

Me too.

[@GeorgiaRidgerunner]

well its said he didnt care much about jane its also said the townsfolk buried jane next to bill to play the ultimate joke on em so one could surmise wild bill rolled oover in his grave or is laughing for all of eternity this joke

[@pickititllneverheal9016]

What an incredible piece of history. WoW😮

[@victormassarano1459]

I love these videos of Old West, historic period guns. I also got goosebumps watching him pick up that Colt the butt-forward way Hickok would have done. Wow.

[@YellowHammer26]

👍👍 thanks Keith…..that’s really an amazing firearm.

[@donhinkle3693]

Good stuff right there!!👍🏼👍🏼

[@bosse641]

Wow. .....how cool is that then.

[@JohnSkyLey]

Beautiful gun!

[@armadagunshow]

Amazing, thanks for sharing that

[@markpalmer6760]

Awesome!

[@ditzydoo4378]

I heard "Attributed too", that tells me it is an unknown entity hinging purely on speculation.

[@antoniodelrio1292]

Why did the Cody Museum part with this gun, being part of a pair? Maybe I missed it.

[@stephenrickjr.7519]

ABSOLUTELY COOL 😎 👍👍👍👍👍! I've always liked the Prince of Pistoleers!

[@gragrn]

I guess by 1876 cap and ball revolvers were considered obsolete and not worth anything, the future historical value not even a consideration. Only time would give Wild Bill's pistols the appreciation and value they are due, and I'm glad they are still around and weren't buried with him, or disappeared somewhere along the way.

[@jwhiskey242]

if it was in the Cody Museum, why is it up for auction? Its mate is listed as being a gift to the museum

[@M8Military]

The museum may not have owned it. Just displayed it

[@-John-Doe-]

@@M8Military people seem to think museums are… state-like entities that transcend society in some odd way.

[@-John-Doe-]

We don’t know if it’s the mate to the piece in the Cody - There’s a good chance it is. Most pieces on display are either on loan from a private collection or obviously owned by the museum itself. They can naturally sell and trade their pieces if they own them. Or the owners are auctioning this piece to invest in another piece. You know… buying and selling…

[@Cambpro]

oh why don't you go cry about it.

[@aussiesteveakastevecallagh2280]

WOW !

[@whistlingsage9817]

This seems like a historically significant firearm; why is the museum selling it? Is the Cody Museum struggling to survive?

[@jakeoutdoors9600]

It would be nice if you guys put the lot# in the description so we can find it more easily.

[@rustytaylor7708]

Seems like they should be together.

[@supersami7748]

Ok a little help here! I have read several articles over the years the Wild Bill went to a cylinder conversion about a year before he died because of his loss of eyesight. Now this made sense to me because of the vision problem and when you google the question (which is a crapshoot with google) it is verified he had gone to the conversion rimfire cartridge. So the question is if that’s true then that couldn’t be his gun because it’s still in the percussion mode. Beautiful firearm regardless!

[@Tank.Savage]

i'd take it straight to the range because Wild Bill would want that.

[@vinceburris2538]

Very cool. I believe those were "Wild Bill's".

[@roygaisser9230]

WOW! just WOW. I'm speechless. Thanks

[@RickySlatton]

This gun looks brand new.

[@willros6128]

Would wear marks from his holstering style show a mirror image for a left and right gun ? Thus adding to the pile .

[@JoseyWales44s]

Wait...it's my understanding that the mate to the Cody Museum Wild Bill 1851 resides in the Autry Museum of the West in L.A. California. Is this particular pistol something that is merely speculated that he owned in addition those other two presented to him in 1869 upon his election as Marshal of Hays City, Kansas.

[@stolnpckup]

I will buy it. But I need to be on a thirty year payment plan. Thanks.

[@StevenSchoolAlchemy]

Cool

[@morrismonet3554]

"Attributed to" Is auction speak for "We can't prove it". Lack of Colt factory letter makes it questionable.

[@morrismonet3554]

@@markgman4157 Well, I'm pretty happy with my Pietta Wild Bill Hickok replica. I paid $250. for it several years ago and love to shoot it.

[@dougmottert2258]

what will it sell for?

[@ricardodelano2205]

is it perspiration getting on the gun over time that causes pitting , or is there some thing else that causes pitting.

[@gijoe508]

Black powder residue will, holster tanning agents, moisture, particularly salt and moisture combined

[@BT1776]

Is it my imagination or can anyone else hearing someone breathing in the background? It's not Keith or Joel.

[@NoThankYouReally]

Looks like it went for over $600k.

[@daveweed2765]

Maybe and maybe not and probably not. Big money for a guess or close. But... the ivory grip is pretty though.

[@buggcrim]

Wait... Is this who Hickok45 was named after and not his actual name?

[@jesse5167]

yes

[@Cambpro]

what tf do you think, sunshine?

[@vendetta2975]

RIA without Ian McCollum :(

[@sealove79able]

What caliber is this revolver?

[@sealove79able]

@@hrfardan66 Thank you.

[@billm2078]

36.

[@sealove79able]

@@billm2078 thank you.

[@maze513]

Your move Hickok45. You Know what you have to do!

[@tommcqueen3145]

Not even close 😃😃😃😃

[@MrKurtfinn]

5:15 “don’t you dare touch Wild Bill’s gun without gloves. You know better, don’t touch… take your fingers off the grip… at least it’s only the grip and he’s not putting finger grease on the… Don’t touch the trigger guard! Take your fingers off

[@meanhe8702]

My g+ grandfather Richard (Dick) Stirk was a friend of Wild Bill Hickok.

[@oldbuzzard76]

Why would he not choose a cartridge gun , that was a lot more reliable . Hard to find ammo perhaps ? Hard to beat 45 LC or 44 S&W ! Maybe it came down to $$$$ .

[@odanewilson]

I need 300 boxes of those to buy ok

[@drmachinewerke1]

Compare the grip in the photos

[@marleysutfin7013]

for anyone who has information of james butler (wild bill hickok) please tell me he is a distant cousin of mine and i would love to know more about him

[@dragonblade8460]

Kinda hard to concentrate hearing the guy in the blue shirt breathing so damn loud. Maybe set his mic up to be less sensitive next time

[@Mordalo]

How can you sell/auction this with Ivory grips?

[@philliplatham4256]

👍🏻👍🏻☕️☕️🇺🇸🇺🇸💯🛎

[@shadyp-zv3uf]

That's a true piece of the west and one of the coolest things ever... to imagine WILD BILL'S IVORY HANDLED 6 SHOOTER'S

[@garyhammond2213]

One of the guns is in the Gene Audry museum. This gun is suspect.

[@Paleotech1]

Calling bs. ivory and would have aged yellow/brown. Buyer got got screwed.

[@Silentbet1of]

6 minutes of not identifying the serial number marks or the weapon

[@History_Coffee]

Some rich person will buy it, throw it in some safety deposit box and use it as a tax shelter.

[@twan102000]

I'm willing to pay anywhere between 100 to 1000 times what it originally went for used. Still a used firearm.😏

[@hankcox2405]

GOOSEBUMPS? WHAT ABOUT FINDING AN ARROWHEAD? MUCH OLDER,HANDMADE BY WHO? USED TO KILL WHO OR WHAT!

[@patrickhascall7401]

Sure talked in circles around actually saying "it is Wild Bill's". In other words... there is not proof!

[@user-sr9yx4cw7t]

Too much talking

[@noahcount7132]

WOW!