When is a nicely preserved Colt Single Action Army revolver, nickel-plated and chambered in .45 Long Colt, not just another nicely preserved black powder frame SAA revolver? When its original owner was Bartholemew William Barclay Masterson, better known as "Bat" Masterson - buffalo hunter, law man, gunfighter, gambler, associate of Wyatt Earp, close friend of Theodore Roosevelt, and eventually sportswriter and newspaper columnist. When his personal Colt Peacemaker arrived at Rock Island Auction Co., we had to exert absolutely NO persuasion whatsoever to get Brownells Gun Techs™ Keith and Steve to go check it out. Other than its impressive provenance, the only unusual thing about this Model 1873 revolver is its special-ordered higher-than-normal front sight. It's really an early gun, manufactured in 1888, and aside from the front sight and nickel plating, Masterson kept it basic, down the plain gutta-percha grips. In his gunfighting career, Bat Masterson killed somewhere between 3 and 20 men. But this gun shows very little wear.... Maybe it was his "goin' to church on Sunday" piece?
