We were excited to offer the Colt 1860 Army 44 conversion revolver serial No. 2639 which belonged to Sheriff James Glispin of Watonwan County, Minnesota, who killed a member of the Jesse James gang.
This piece SOLD for $37,500 at our May 20 Firearms & Ammo Auction at Donley Auctions live in Union, IL.
After the famous Jesse James Bank Raid in Northfield, MN on September 7, 1876, Sheriff Glispin, with a posse, tracked down the remnants of the James-Younger gang near Madelia, Minnesota on September 21, 1876. In the ensuing gunfight, Sheriff Glispin killed Charlie Pitts, and the 3 Younger brothers were wounded.
The revolver is a .44 conversion in in good condition with wood grips. The back strap is engraved, “Sheriff James Glispin.”
Accompanying the pistol is a typed letter dated Feb. 20, 1951 signed by Mary Glispin (James Glispin’s granddaughter) stating that the revolver belonged to her grandfather James Glispin.
Also included is an extensive internet-based file of Sheriff Glispin and the story surrounding the Northfield Bank hold-up and a printed death photo of Charlie Pitts showing the fatal hole in his chest.