Welcome to right now’s Photograph of the Day! This engraved Colt Single Motion Military revolver has a documented connection to Braxton “Brack” Cornett, the notorious Texas outlaw who co-led the Cornett-Whitley Gang of their transient however infamous crime spree by means of Texas in 1887-1888. The revolver options in depth scroll engraving with beaded backgrounds and distinctive wavy line and dot accents. Initially shipped “within the gentle” (with out end) on February 17, 1883, to Hartley & Graham in New York Metropolis, it was seemingly engraved by certainly one of their proficient contract engravers comparable to L.D. Nimschke. This specific firearm bears the hallmarks of the “black powder” body Colt with a screw securing the arbor pin, has “45 CAL” marked on the left facet of the set off guard, and shows matching serial numbers. The revolver is accompanied by a manufacturing unit letter confirming its cargo to Hartley & Graham as a part of a 25-gun order. Cornett’s legal profession was transient however impactful. After forming a gang with Invoice Whitley in early 1887, they executed a number of daring prepare and financial institution robberies throughout Texas. The New York Occasions described certainly one of their 1888 heists as “probably the most daring prepare theft that ever occurred in Texas.” In a traditional Western {photograph}, Cornett will be seen carrying a pair of Colts in his holsters. The outlaw’s run got here to an finish in January 1888 when Texas Ranger Alfred Allee shot him useless close to Frio, Texas. Including to the dramatic Western narrative, Allee and Cornett had reportedly been childhood mates, and Allee collected $3,800 in reward cash for bringing down the desperado. In line with the notarized assertion from Edward F. Cornett, this revolver was acquired from direct descendants of Brack Cornett’s household within the late Sixties or early Seventies, establishing its provenance as a real piece of Outdated West historical past.
“Brack Cornett Attributed Engraved Colt Single Motion Military.” Rock Island Public sale Firm, https://www.rockislandauction.com/element/4090/149/brack-cornett-attributed-engraved-colt-single-action-army. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.
