Colt Revolvers Of Texas Ranger John Coffee Hays among Old West, Outlaws, Lawmen, and Gangsters Auction
Two Colt revolvers once gifted by Samuel Colt to legendary Texas Ranger John Coffee Hays are among the rarest relics of the Old West heading to auction this month, anchoring a collection that spans Texas lawmen to Depression-era outlaws.
The revolvers — one engraved by Louis D. Nimschke in 1850 and the other bearing what’s believed to be a portrait of Hays— are the centerpieces of Old West, Outlaws, Lawmen, and Gangsters, an online auction hosted by Boston-based RR Auction through May 22. The sale features more than 100 historic items tied to frontier legends, early law enforcement, and some of the country’s most notorious criminals.
Hays, a revered figure in Texas lore and a former Ranger captain who fought in the Mexican-American War, was presented with a Colt Dragoon revolver in 1849—part of the famed gunsmith’s effort to win over respected frontier figures. A second revolver, an 1851 Navy model engraved with Hays’s name, was shipped in 1861 and is believed to have been intended for him in California.
One is a Colt Second Model Dragoon Revolver, finished in Boettger nickel and engraved with the dedication: “Presented to Col. John C. Hays, Compliments of Sam Colt, November 24, 1849.” Below the grip, a second inscription reads simply: “Defender of Texas.” Experts believe it to be Nimschke’s earliest known work, marking it as an artifact of both artistic and historical significance. According to the San Antonio Express-News, the revolver also features a portrait of Napoleon III, then president of France, engraved on one side. Its estimated value is $150,000.
The other, a factory-engraved 1851 Colt Navy Revolver shipped just before the Civil War, bears Gustave Young’s distinct scrollwork and a rare portrait thought to depict Hays on the left barrel lug. Its backstrap is engraved: “To John C. Hays, with Compliments of Col. Colt.” This particular revolver is a Colt Fourth Model 1851 Navy Revolver, detailed with ornate scrollwork.
“This is the first time both of these Colt presentation revolvers—each directly tied to Hays—have been offered together at auction,” said Bobby Livingston, Executive Vice President at RR Auction. “Individually, they tell remarkable stories of craft, courage, and the Colt legacy. Together, they form a one-of-a-kind tribute to a man who helped define Texas history.”
The significance of these revolvers is explored further in the booklet Defender of Texas: A Colt Mystery by Robert Swartz, which dives deep into their provenance and the history of their presentation to Hays. Swartz’s meticulous research highlights how these firearms not only reflect Colt’s craftsmanship but also symbolize the frontier spirit embodied by Hays.
The story of Hays and his revolvers was recently covered in the San Antonio Express-News, which highlighted the historical importance of these pieces and their deep ties to Texas heritage, underscoring their place as powerful reminders of the Lone Star State’s rugged past.
Beyond the Hays Colts, the auction also delves deep into the legacy of American outlaws — including a poignant, handwritten letter from Clyde Barrow to his brother, L.C., penned on the back of a candid photo of the gang’s seaside hideout.
Other Bonnie and Clyde items in the auction include Parker’s Colt .25 pistol, recovered after the 1934 ambush, and a .44 Smith & Wesson revolver from their bullet-ridden Ford “Death Car.” Additional highlights include Bob Dalton’s Colt .45 from the failed 1892 Coffeyville bank raid, Davy Crockett’s autograph from an 1833 document, and a business check signed by Hays during his tenure as San Francisco sheriff.
Bidding is open now and continues through May 22. Notable lots include:
George A. Custer Signed Photograph – CDV by Mathew Brady, estimated at $25,000+
Daniel Boone Autograph Document Signed, estimated at $15,000+
For full details and to place your bid, visit www.rrauction.com.
