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Hoping the down loads work. The auction house has disturbed the patina. Looks like someone has carved 6 sided stars into the stock. Do they mean anything from the period?
Anyone seen this carbine before?
thanks for your help
Bud
I’ve not seen this carbine before, but from what I can find, J.B. Gillett joined the Texas Rangers in June of 1875. We was stationed in El Paso County in 1881. Resigned from the Rangers in December of ’81 and was appointed assistant Deputy Marshal of Paso. He was appointed city marshal in June of ’82, but resigned or was fired in April of ’85. It looks like from 1889 until 1904, he ranched south of Alpine on the 06 and Altuda ranches. A lot of other trivial info between 1904 and his death in 1937. He was not a city marshal of El Paso in 1895, as the inscription suggests. Doesn’t mean it isn’t real, but without a lot of “old” written documentation, it might be just another well used ’73 carbine with enhancements.
Online
Get a letter on it and hopefully the presentation letters.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Thanks Bob
Thats what were looking for. Believe he lived in Mafa Texas during those years.
El Paso historical society has been very helpful.
A student that attended school in Marfa did keep daily records of Mr. Gillett starting in 1894
your right about the dates. Must have been a presentation, or maybe he gave it to one of his children.
all the fun is in the hunt.
Thanks again
Give Cody a call.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
November 7, 2015
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Retired Ranger Bob Moser is the Texas Ranger Weapons Historian, he works out of the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco as well as the one in Fredericksburg. I have lost his contact info but either museum can put you in touch with him.
In 1895 Gillett may have carried a deputy US marshal’s commission.
The name and title were not engraved by the same person as the location and date. Much different font and quality. I know an engraver who 40-50 years ago put famous inscriptions on his Winchesters and Colts. Said it was just to commemorate a person or place. Those guns are all out there.
Just thinking out loud:
They look like 8 sided stars to me. And one star appears to be overlain by the Texas medalion. That seems wierd to me; like the stars pre-dated the medalion. If so, the medalion was put on an “older” gun with stars carved on the stock. Wouldn’t you buy a *new* gun for presentation?
Also, maybe it’s just me, but someone needs beat for messing with a patina. 
Thanks for looking
Have noted myself and agree the 8 sided stars look overlayed.
There is one on the forstock that has been started with just the cross.
could be kill marks. Would like to see other examples of the commerative ones that were produced to see if
the engraving matches. If the engravers are different, maybe the side plate with the date has a different meaning.
the rubbing on the patina shows ignorance. The plates however, have matching color patina with the rest of the carbine
indicating the engraving is old.
Have discovered the gun was purchesed by Pennsylvania Mayor Steve Reed for a western Musiem. Mr Reed was brought up on 500 counts of fraud charges and the carbine sold at Auction in 2013 along with other items he had collected with public funds for about $10,250.00 in a 7 day auction. Most all records were lost thanks to the efforts of Mr. Reed. Apparently someone knew something at that time. At the very least it is back in Texas where it belongs.
will keep looking
thank you for your ideas
Bud
I found the old posts from this topic. You said you had a letter but the engraving did not letter.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I agree the plaque in the stock was added after a lot of the use had taken place. It shows little to no wear and has no scratches while the rest of the stock is scratched and chipped. The engraving looks a little too crisp to me. Some of it is in places where there is some minor pitting but the engraving seems to all be free from pitting. The edges of the letters also look too sharp considering the wear on the rest of the gun.
THIS ALL STARTED WITH JUST ONE GUN!
November 7, 2015
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In case you’re wondering this carbine in a fair bit newer than the one Gillett is documented to have carried in his Ranger days and part of his stint in El Paso. The serial number on that 1873 carbine in 44WCF is reported to be 13401.
Mike
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