Rock Island Auction Company (RIAC) is set to auction off two revolvers that have a close connection to the famous 7th Cavalry leader, Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer. These revolvers will be auctioned during the May Premier Auction, which is scheduled from Friday, May 17 to Sunday, May 19 in Bedford, TX. The collection will include a Colt Single Action Army revolver that was used by survivor Capt. Myles Moylan during the Battle of Little Bighorn, as well as a historic Calderwood & Son pinfire revolver that personally belonged to Custer and was passed down directly from the Custer family. These two revolvers are among the approximately 2,100 lots that will be featured over the course of the three-day event.
“The Battle of the Little Bighorn marked one of the most defining moments in American history,” says Kevin Hogan, President of Rock Island Auction Company. “Custer artifacts carry massive significance nationally as well as for our collectors so we are thrilled to offer these historic pieces at our first premier auction of the year.”
The Colt Single Action Army revolver is considered the most iconic firearm of the Old West. The most sought-after ones are those with ties to the Battle of Little Bighorn. Captain Myles Moylan, who fought in the battle under Major Marcus Reno’s command, owned a Colt revolver that is documented in a period letter, even identifying it by serial number. Although Reno’s battalion survived the battle, they endured 40 hours of combat. RIAC (Rock Island Auction Company) has previously sold Colt revolvers with ties to the famous battle for over $763,000.
Another rare firearm up for auction is the Calderwood & Son double action pinfire revolver. The presentation case of this revolver is inscribed with Custer’s initials, “G.A.C.” on its lid. After Custer’s death, the revolver was discovered many years later by the Custer family in the attic of their home. It was then passed down to Lt. Col. Charles Custer, Custer’s grandnephew. Charles Custer kept the revolver in the family until 1956 when he sold it to a lifelong student of his granduncle. The revolver, which also comes with a receipt from Charles Custer, is valued at $50,000 – $75,000.
These firearms from the Custer era are just a glimpse of the 2,100 lots that will be showcased in RIAC’s May Premier Auction. Rock Island Auction Company will host the first premier auction of 2024 at its state-of-the-art facility at 3600 E Harwood Rd, Bedford, TX 76021. For more information on Rock Island Auction Company and other highlights of the May event, visit rockislandauction.com.
