Nevada Gun Auctions, LLC
Timed Auction

FIREARMS, EDGED WEAPONS AND MILITARIA

Sun, Aug 3, 2025 12:00PM EDT - Sun, Aug 17, 2025 07:00PM EDT
Lot 65

Wyatt Earp's Harrington & Richardson Break Top Revolver {C&R}

Estimate: $50,000 - $75,000

Bid Increments

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WYATT EARP’S HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON BREAK TOP REVOLVER. Serial no. 147, .32 caliber 3 1/8 inch nickeled barrel, the sighted rib with maker’s mark and patent dates. Hard rubber checkered grips with bulls-eye target monogram. WYATT EARP’S LAST REVOLVER. After Earp’s death, his widow Josephine took a keen interest in the writing of Earp’s biography by historian Stuart Lake. She had many talks with Harrison Leussler, who worked for publisher Houghton Mifflin, and who was able to give her confidence in the quality of Lake’s work. According to a letter from Leussler’s widow Margaret dated August 9, 1978, the Leusslers invited Josephine Earp to visit them in Palm Springs. When she arrived, she made a gift of the present gun and the pair of binoculars. In a letter dated August 5, 1933, she references the gift, saying “I hope you were afforded the most enjoyment in the use of Mr. Earp’s field glasses and revolver which I let you have.” In the years after Tombstone, the Earps moved about the country, spending time in San Diego, Alaska, and other boom towns, earning fortunes and losing them. He and Josephine spent their later years in Los Angeles, where he did consulting for both law enforcement and the movies. This gun, which was manufactured sometime around 1900 (the H&R company was founded in 1899), dates from Earp’s later, post-lawman years. This firearm is modern and must be shipped to a FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENCE HOLDER or a CURIO AND RELICS FFL HOLDER! Processing and shipping within the Continental US $55 . All FedEx packages are sent with Direct Signature Required and insured at full replacement value for a fee of 1.5% of the purchase price, unless buyer accepts complete liability in writing. Discounts given on combined lot shipping.

Condition

Very Fine. With some nickel losses to barrel, cylinder and frame.
Gift of Josephine Earp to Harrison Leussler (letter, 8/5/1933); by descent to Leussler’s widow Margaret; sold via Enrico Saccone to Jim and Theresa Earle, March 1978, Witherell's 9/21/2021