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Tombstone Western Heritage Museum Auction: The Earp Brothers & Cowboys

Sat, Jul 26, 2025 11:00AM EDT
  2025-07-26 11:00:00 2025-07-26 11:00:00 America/New_York North American Auction Company North American Auction Company : Tombstone Western Heritage Museum Auction: The Earp Brothers & Cowboys https://live.naabid.com/auctions/north-american-auction/tombstone-western-heritage-museum-auction-the-earp-brothers-cowboys-20021
Join North American Auction Company on July 26th for a once-in-a-lifetime auction of the Tombstone Western Heritage Museum Collection. This extraordinary sale features the largest private collection of Tombstone history, including rare and historic pieces tied to Wyatt Earp, the Earp Brothers, and the infamous Cochise Cowboys. From original artifacts, outlaw relics, and the largest collection of C.S. Fly photographs, this is a can’t-miss event for collectors of the Old West’s most legendary chapter.
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Lot 121

Rare Original S. L. Hart Leather Butt Stock Cover

Estimate: $1,200 - $2,400
Starting Bid
$400

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
Included in this lot is a Rare Original S. L. Hart Leather Butt Stock Cover, circa 1880 to 1890. Hart's hallmark stamped on the bottom. Provenance: Tombstone Western Heritage Museum, Tombstone. Hart was a very highly regarded and skilled gunsmith over his ten years in Tombstone. If gun repairs were needed, Hart's on Freemont Street was the place to go, located just a short distance from the famous Fly Photography studio and right next door to the O.K. Corral. On Oct. 26th of 1881 Hart, while working in his store, would be one of the relatively few witnesses to the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral that made Tombstone and the Earp's famous. Guns that were re-worked or repaired by Hart were often stamped with his logo, which was the letters S and L over a "heart," an artistic yet compact and simple way of saying "S.L. Hart." S.L. was entrusted with both basic repairs as well as also sought out for his special Colt pistols. Some of Hart's more notable clients were US Marshal Wyatt Earp, Doc Holiday, outlaw Ike Clanton and Buckskin Frank Leslie. It has been said that the legacy of S.L. Hart as gunsmith to the cowboys, gamblers, lawmen, and gunfighters of Tombstone cannot be over estimated. A "Tombstone" Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Hart's markings on it sold at a Rock Island Auction Company 2010 auction for $32,500.00. Today a firearm with the "S.L. Hart" stamp is almost priceless. Letter included is from Marjorie Elliott, curator and President of the Tombstone Western Heritage Museum that traces ownership of the Butt Stock Cover from the Hart Estate through S. L. Hart's son Kirt, who was a gunsmith in Tucson, Arizona, to a lady who had a large collection of Hart items, from whom the Tombstone Western Heritage Museum received them. A Tombstone Western Heritage Museum label, "S. L. HART marked Leather rifle stock cover More than likely made by Hart himself.", museum code, "G-116." This leather butt stock cover features wonderfully and professional crafted tanned hide construction, leather stitching on butt intact, side stitching missing, cracking exhibited on top edge. Rich patina observed throughout. Measures 1.75"W x 5.25"L bottom, top 3.75"L. entire butt stock 7.5"L. Weight is U6.

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