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Battle of Little Bighorn Arikara Scout Colt SAA

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:50,000.00 - 100,000.00 USD
Battle of Little Bighorn Arikara Scout Colt SAA
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This is possibly one of the most historic and important Battle of the Little Bighorn Custer Battlefield Colt Single Action Army revolvers offered for sale. The pistol was owned and carried by Little Brave into the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Little Brave was issued this 1873 nickel plated single action revolver, 45 Caliber, in accordance with Custer's orders to have the Indian scout’s guns nickel plated in order to differentiate their guns from those of soldier or military use. Little Brave is one of the few George Armstrong Custer US 7th Cavalry Arikara Scout’s documented to have been killed at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. The pistol has been examined and authenticated by renowned Battle of the Little Bighorn historian and Togia language expert, Wendell Grangaard of The Guns of History, Inc. The revolver was found to show hand carved symbols in the Togia Language. The left side original wood grip shows the name, “Little Brave” and the name “Chief Brave Bear” written in Togia along with “Coup Counted”. Little Brave was an Arikara Scout who served as a Private in the 7th Cavalry for General George Armstrong Custer and was issued weapons. One June 25, 1876 at Little Bighorn on orders from Custer, Major Reno accompanied the Arikara scouts to cross the river and run off the Sioux/Cheyenne Pony Herd, the scouts included Little Brave alongside Young Hawk, Goose, Black Fox, Red Star, Strikes Two, Bloody Knife, Little Sioux, Bob Tail Bull, Forked Horn, Red Foolish Bear, Boy Chief and One Feather. After crossing the river, six of the scouts turned right to capture the Sioux horses grazing in the valley. Strikes Two led the six scouts including; Boy Chief, Red Star, Black Fox, Little Sioux and One Feather. Bloody Knife and Little Brave along with the remaining scouts rode straight for the Sioux Camp. Young Hawk testifies later that he saw Little Brave riding from the timber yelling, “The Dakota are about to charge.” Young Hawk said he watched as Little Brave stopped his spotted horse so he could take a steady shot at the charging Dakota Warriors and he fired one shot, and then rode off. Young Hawk said he saw Little Brave’s Horse later, rider-less. Brave Bear, a Cheyenne Chief testified that he “Counted Coup” on Little Brave after his men stabbed and beat him to death. Counting Coup refers to the winning of prestige against an enemy. Brave Bear said he then got Little Brave’s guns, one long barreled rifle and a revolver. He said he gave the rifle away to a Sioux Warrior, keeping the revolver. It is well documented that Little Brave was killed at the Battle of the Little Bighorn with the above testimonies documented in, “The Arikara Narrative of Custer’s Campaign and the Battle of Little Bighorn” by Orin G. Libby University of Oklahoma Press 1981 and “Who Killed Custer: The Eyewitness Answer +100 Voices” by Bruce Brown BF Communications Inc. 2011. This is a Colt Single Action Army revolver with serial number 22223, manufactured in 1876. The revolver shows traces of the original nickel finish along with the original wood grips showing Togia carvings. The barrel has been shortened from its original 7.5” length to 5.75” along with a different front sight installed, possibly done by Crazy Horse’s gunsmith. Left side marked, “PAT. SEPT. 19, 1871 / PAT. JULY, 2, 1872”, “45 CAL”. Top marked, “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.” Also marked with the serial number 22223 on the trigger guard, receiver frame, and butt along with 2223 on the cylinder wall. Little Brave (c.1850-1876), also known as “Stub” and “Little Soldier” served in the Black Hills Expedition of 1874, and re-enlisted with Custer at Fort Lincoln in May of 1876, later being killed by Brave Bear and Wooden Leg’s men at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. The piece comes with the signed letter describing the piece’s history from Wendell Grangaard along with a detailed illustration showing the markings he has translated. Wendell Grangaard is the foremost knowledge on the Togia language along with the Battle of the Little Bighorn as he is the author of the book, “Documenting the Weapons Used at Little Bighorn” 2015. Wendell was also intricate in the authentication and examination of the historic George Armstrong Custer Captured Sharps Carbine from Chief Black Kettle that sold at auction for $127,000. Comes with documentation including a detailed description authenticating the piece signed by Wendell, along with a illustration showing the togia language carvings drawn along with a few images of Little Brave. This is truly one of the most important firearms made available for sale from the Battle of the Little Bighorn and the most important Arikara Scout Little Brave owned historic piece ever brought to the public. It is believed that the firearm was part of the Government sale of 115 revolvers through Shuyler, Hartley and Graham (H & D Folsum was a silent partner) by General Terry on orders from General George Armstrong Custer. These firearms were nickel plated with wood grips to be handed out to the Arikara Scouts and marked by them. The nickel plating was to differentiate the firearms from the US Cavalry issue and civilian owned firearms. From the personal collection of Steve Livermore of South Dakota.