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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 785

Sierra Bonita Ranch Found Bridle Bit c. 1870-90

Estimate: $400 - $600
Starting Bid
$125

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 this Henry Hooker's Sierra Bonita Ranch found bridle bit circa 1870's to 1890's and displayed at the Tombstone Western heritage Museum; Provenance: From the Tombstone Western Heritage Museum in Tombstone, Arizona. The bridle bit features a primitive forge made design that shows a wide port spade design with straight shanks and primitive slobber bar. The bridle bit comes with an original museum tag that reads as follows: Bit found on the Hooker Ranch. Henry Hooker was a pioneering cattle rancher who established the Sierra Bonita Ranch in southeastern Arizona in 1872, making it one of the first permanent and successful cattle operations in the Arizona Territory. Located in the Sulphur Springs Valley, the ranch covered thousands of acres and was well-positioned near a natural spring, providing a reliable water source crucial for sustaining large herds. Hooker’s ranch became a central hub for the region’s cattle industry, known for its quality stock and efficient operations. He was a respected figure in the territory and a supporter of law and order, often siding with figures like the Earps during Tombstone’s turbulent years. The Sierra Bonita Ranch stood as a symbol of stability and prosperity in an otherwise lawless and volatile frontier landscape. The condition of this of this forged bridle bit is preserved with the chin strap showing detached and heavy oxidation adorning the bit consistent with age and exposure but otherwise shows a preserved condition. The measurements of this bridle bit is 8 1/2" x 5 7/8" x 1 3/4". The collective weight of this bridle bit is 1lb 2oz. LO19

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