Rock Island Auction Company has a “Premiere Firearms Auction” coming May 3rd, 4th, & 5th, 2008 in Moline, IL. The catalog can be viewed online HERE.
Of particular interest to original prop collectors are a few pieces from Tom Selleck:
Lot #: 1048
Estimated Price: $10,000 – $20,000
Custom Made Colt Richards Conversion Style 1860 Army Revolver From The Tom Selleck Collection Used in The Movie “Last Stand at Saber River”
High Resolution Archive: “Last Stand at Saber River” Revolver
Description:
This revolver is from the Colt Blackpowder Arms Company’s Signature Series. Kenny Howell of R&D Gun Shop, a noted gunsmith for Tom Selleck, converted the revolver from it’s original percussion ignition to fire metallic cartridges. The conversion work was performed on special order Tom Selleck’s TNT movie “Last Stand at Saber River”. The revolver was converted and completely redone in the historic style of the 19th century Colt “Richards Conversion” system. It has a four screw frame. The recoil shield was modified to make room for a breech plate and loading channel, and the installation of an ejector rod. The top of the barrel is marked “ADDRESS COL SAML COLT NEW – YORK U. S. AMERICA”, the left side of the frame is marked “COLTS / PATENT” and the left rear trigger guard shoulder is marked “44 CAL”. The edge of the ejector rod housing, rear 2 1/2″ of the barrel and the cylinder are nicely engraved with a broad scroll pattern and the backstrap is inscribed “CABLE”. This revolver was carried by Tom Selleck in the made for T.V. movie “Last Stand at Saber River”. Selleck plays Paul Cable in the movie which takes place after the Civil War. Selleck’s character is an embittered Confederate soldier who returns from the war to put the pieces of his life back together and reclaim his Arizona homestead from rebel pioneers. The loading gate is marked “518” and the complete serial number “21262” is marked on the barrel, frame, triggerguard and backstrap. The front blade sight has a brass insert and the rear sight is a notch on the breech plate. The frame is cut for a shoulder stock. The barrel, cylinder and backstrap are blue, frame and hammer casehardened and the trigger guard is polished brass. Fitted with one piece hand made genuine elephant tusk ivory grips. Each side has been hand cut in the early style, flat checkered pattern separated by a stylized inverted “V” cheron in the center. The grips were also done by Kenny Howell. Includes notorized documentation authenticating Mr. Selleck’s ownership of the gun and confirming that Mr. Howell restored the revolver and hand made the grips, three autographed 8×10 photos, and an autographed DVD of “Last Stand at Saber River.” Complete with extra 38 cal. Cylinder numbered to revolver to fire blanks (in movies) as 38 caliber blanks are more readily available. As well as a very well known actor, Tom Selleck is a N.R.A. Board member and an avid gun collector. Three of these identical revolvers were used in the movie. Two were kept in new condition, one for an early scene in which Cable’s wife (the daughter of a gunsmith) gives the revolver to him on his return from the Civil War. In the scene the revolver is shown up close, featuring the engraved cylinder and backstrap engraving “CABLE”. Mr. Selleck donated that revolver to the NRA Firearms Museum. The second was a backup. That one was donated to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Museum where it is currently on display and the third, this revolver, needed to look slightly used for the rest of the film. Tom Selleck kept this one for himself because it was the one he carried most of the movie.
Lot #: 1272
Estimated Price: $25,000 – $40,000
Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine Used in The Tom Selleck Movie “Monte Walsh”
High Resolution Archive: “Monte Walsh” Winchester
Description:
This is a standard Model 1886 Saddle Ring Carbine chambered in the rare and desirable 50. This carbine was used by Tom Selleck in the 2003 western “Monte Walsh”. The carbine saw heavy use by Mr. Selleck during the movie and does provide a vital service turning the movie, if you know what I mean. In the movie Selleck plays Monte who is struggling to continue the life he knows while watching the new era, (the 20th Century), nudge the cowboy way of life toward the dustbin. Monte lives by the code of honor: respect yourself and others, keep it simple, keep it true and keep it free. Some movie critics hailed Selleck’s performance as the best character since Magnum P.I. Another called it “The best western in the last quarter century.” If you have not watched the movie, writer recommends that you do, it’s possibly one of the best westerns ever made. The movie was directed by Emmy winner Simon Wincer, the director of “Lonesome Dove” and includes a supporting cast including Keith Carradine, George Eads, (C.S.I.) and William Devane. Selleck is seen with this carbine in the ready position in two photographs on the DVD sleeve. As mentioned above the carbine is a standard functioning Model 1886. The top of the barrel is marked –MANUFACTURED BY THE — / –WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN CONN.–” ahead of the rear sight and “50EX” between the rear sight and the receiver. The upper tang is marked “– MODEL 1886–“, the serial number is marked on the lower tang and “PAT. OCT. 14. 1884 / JAN. 20. 1885.” just behind the trigger. The carbine has the standard blade front sight and adjustable rear carbine sight graduated to 1,000 yards. It has the full magazine and saddle ring and stud mounted on the left side of the receiver. The barrel and buttplate are blue and the remaining metal is casehardened. Smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a carbine buttplate. The left side at the heel is carved with a “MW”. The “M” is above the “W” and the right leg of the “M” runs into the “W” joining the two letters and forming a “brand” of sorts. The Model 1886 was based on a Browning patent and was one of the finest and strongest lever actions ever utilized in a Winchester rifle. Winchester introduced this rifle because of the desire to take advantage of the more powerful centerfire cartridges of the time. The factory letter included confirms the configuration as 50/110 caliber and that it was shipped from the warehouse on May 19, 1891 on order number 3909. Also accompanying the carbine is a notorized typed letter from Tom Selleck confirming his ownership of the carbine. The letter states that the carbine was restored by Kenny Howell of R & D Gun Shop. Mr. Howell’s work is considered among the finest in the field of historical reproductions and his firearms are quite collectable and sought after. Mr. Selleck and Kenny Howell designed many “movie guns”, such as this one to fit the characters Selleck was playing. This carbine is one of two Model 1886’s restored and used in the movie “Monte Walsh”. The other carbine Tom Selleck donated to the NRA Firearms Museum. The two were, interestingly enough, originally shipped together on May 19, 1891. There is also a document from the Cody Firearms Museum confirming that the other carbine, (#55666) was shipped on May 19, 1891, order number 3909. This is a rare opportunity to own not only this fantastic carbine from the Selleck collection, but in addition, one that was actually used by Tom Selleck, one of the worlds most popular and sought after Western stars, in one of the classic westerns of our times, “Monte Walsh”. Includes documentation authenticating Tom Selleck’s ownership of the gun, three autographed 8×10 photos, and an autographed “Monte Walsh” DVD. It should be noted that the movie “Monte Walsh” made the highest Friday night rating for the premier of an original movie made for cable television (TNT), won the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum “Wrangler” award as the Best Movie of the year 2003, was honored with the 2003 Golden Boot Awards ” Best of The West” award and was presented the 2003 Vision Award. This opportunity won’t present itself very often. Don’t miss out on this one!
Lot #: 1273
Estimated Price: $12,000 – $20,000
U.S. Cavalry Style Single Action Army Revolver and Holster From The Tom Selleck Collection Used in The Movie “Monte Walsh”
High Resolution Archive: “Monte Walsh” Revolver
Description:
This is a totally rebuilt and refurbished SAA that was professionally made by Kenny Howell of R&D Gun Shop in Beloit, Wisconsin to be identical to the first U.S. Army contract SAAs, as accepted by the government, and inspected by Orville Ainsworth, first Principal Sub-Inspector for the military. Mr. Howell’s work considered among the finest in the field of historical reproductions and his firearms are quite collectable and sought after. This is one of two identical revolvers (4561 and 4562) that were reworked from the early 1870s vintage frame for the Tom Selleck portrayal of the title charcater in the TNT movie “Monte Walsh”. The revolver uses the original frame and other parts which was re-stamped with a four digit serial number of the Colts manufactured during the “Custer Era”. Mr. Howell produced a new barrel, cylinder, ejector rod and housing. The frame and hammer are casehardened, the remainder is blue. The top of the barrel is marked with the one line address flanked by crosses, with no broken lines, a bull’s-eye head ejector rod, the serial number “4562” under the rod housing and “A / P” ahead of the cylinder pin. The frame has the two line, two date patent marking, next to the “U.S.” stamp. The barrel, trigger guard, cylinder and backstrap all have the Ainsworth’s “A” inspector mark, and all visible serial numbers match. Smooth one piece walnut grips with the “OWA” cartouche in a rectangle on the lower left panel and “A” stamped on the butt and a carved connecting “M/W” to represent Monte Walsh on the lower right side. It is complete with a current production 1890’s- 1900’s style double “Mexican loop” style leather holster designed and made by Thad Ripka for “Monte”. The holster has a fish scale pattern on the body and a similar stamping on each end of the two loops. There are nickel finished studs on the loops and has a brass clip-cornered buckle. There are 12 cartridge loops on the back and the belt narrows sharply at the billet and buckle end with 6 adjustment holes on the billet. The back of the belt at the buckle and the back of the holster are marked with a stylistic “T/R” and “02”. Mr. Selleck worked with Ripka on several films and wanted to create a look that showed Monte as a working cowboy rather than a gunfighter. Mr. Selleck felt that the 7 1/2″ barrel in a shorter holster created the impression of someone more interested in weapon retention rather than quick drawing. Includes notorized documentation authenticating Mr. Selleck’s ownership of the gun, three autographed 8×10 photos, and an autographed VHS video of “Monte Walsh.” The other revolver (#4561) was donated to the NRA Firarms Museum by Tom Selleck.
There are a number of other Tom Selleck pieces and movie memorabilia-related pieces featured in the catalog, and some spectacular photos and great information accompanying the Selleck pieces in particular.
Jason De Bord