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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 446

Rare S. L. Hart Winchester Reloading Tool 1882

Estimate: $750 - $1,200
Starting Bid
$250

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
Featured in this lot is an Extremely Rare S. L. Hart Winchester Reloading Tool, 1882. Provenance: Tombstone Western Heritage Museum, Tombstone, Arizona. This blued .38 WCF bullet mold was made by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company was a prominent American manufacturer of repeating firearms and ammunition, founded in 1866 in New Haven, CT. This blued .38 WCF bullet mold has the S. L. Hart hallmark stamped on it, the letters S and L over a "heart,". Samuel Lombard Hart (1830-1893) 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. Attached Tombstone Western Heritage Museum label reads, "Early 1880s Colt tool Sent with new guns From the Colt factory Found with S. L. Hart's Tools", museum code, "G-40C." Letter included is from Marjorie Elliott, Curator and President of the Tombstone Western Heritage Museum that traces ownership of the blued Winchester .38 WCF bullet mold 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. Museum code, "G-40". Hart logo stamp, S and L over a "heart," is located opposite side of stamped Winchester name. Stamped opposite Hart stamped logo is, "Manufactured By The Winchester Rep. Arms Co. New Hven, Conn. U.S.A. stamped below, 38 WCF Pat.Oct.20.1874 Nov.7.82." Reloading bullet mold is in amazingly well preserved condition, rich patina exhibited throughout. Measures 3"W x 8.25"L x .75"D, weight is 1lb, 6oz.

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