One of the most intriguing pieces in American history is going up for auction this month. It is about the weapon with which the outlaw of the Wild West Billy the Kid or Billy the Kid was killed. The revolver, a Colt Single Action Army, was used by Sheriff Pat Garrett to end the young man’s life in 1881.
The gun that killed Billy the Kid in 1881 goes up for auction
History suggests that Kid and Garrett were good friends who first met at Pete Maxwell’s ranch in 1878. It was at this location that they worked together and were known to frequent various gambling halls, where they were called “Big Casino.” and “Little Casino”.
The two eventually ended up going their separate ways, with Billy the Kid turning into an outlaw and claiming to have killed 21 men. Meanwhile, Garrett was appointed bailiff in 1880 and tasked with finding his old friend and bringing him to justice. Governor Wallace had offered a $ 500 reward for Kid, and Garrett spent a year traveling the western United States in search of his enemy.
In the end, the two would finally meet face to face in a familiar place: Maxwell’s ranch. On July 14, 1881, Garrett stopped for information and was in the room with Maxwell when Billy the Kid arrived looking for food . Upon entering the house, the young outlaw would have asked “Who is it?” Who are you? To the figures he saw in Maxwell’s room. They responded with a shot to the chest that came from Garrett’s pistol. Although Kid managed to fire a single shot, he missed the mark and would die in Maxwell’s bed, thus taking down one of the most intriguing villains in the Old West. He was only 21 years old.
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Now this weapon is sold through the Bonhams auction house . The pistol is a 7 1/2 inch Colt and is in very good condition with only signs of wear on the grip. It still includes the original serial number 55093 from 1880 and has its documents of authenticity. The gun comes from the private collection of a Texan couple, Jim and Theresa Earle.
The Colt Single Action Army revolver, which goes up for auction on August 27, is expected to be one of the big pieces auctioned this year as it is rumored that it could reach a figure of between 2 and 3 million dollars , becoming a of the most expensive weapons ever auctioned.
