Pancho Villa firearms sold...

[Ol Gabe]

Saw this news report today and thought fellow GAF'ers might find it of historical interest.
Best regards and good reading!
'Ol Gabe
...
Guns Linked to Pancho Villa Auctioned
Nov 11, 10:32 AM (ET)

FREDERICKSBURG, Texas (AP) - Three guns linked to Pancho Villa were auctioned for nearly $29,000, apparently less than what organizers expected the firearms tied to the Mexican revolutionary to fetch.

"That's the fun of auctions - sometimes you get bargains," said Amy McMurrough, a spokeswoman for the auction, which was held Saturday near San Antonio.

The prize of the auction - Villa's Remington single action revolver with his real name, "Doreteo Arango," engraved on the barrel - sold for $18,000.

A rifle that Villa reportedly dropped in the Rio Grande during a skirmish with opposition forces sold for $7,500, and a pistol owned by Villa's bodyguard was sold for $3,450.

Besides the guns, a Spanish-made sword belonging to Villa sold for $7,500, McMurrough said.

Another gun in the auction, which features about 1,000 Old West items, once belonged to "Calamity Jane." That pocket pistol, which comes in a leather case, was to be auctioned Sunday. The pistol bears the moniker "Martha Jane Cannary," the frontierswoman's real name.

In 1916, Villa led a group of irregular fighters in a brief raid into Columbus, N.M., in what is considered the last battle against foreign forces on U.S. soil. Eighteen Americans were killed, prompting an unsuccessful manhunt for Villa. He made his peace with the Mexican government in 1920 but was assassinated in 1923 at the age of 45, likely out of fear he would rise up again.

Last year, Villa's death mask that featured his prominent mustache and eyebrows sold at auction for $17,000.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Did that auction have a website?

I'll bet it's still up - I'd like to see what was offered... and what I couldn't afford!

**************************************

There's something at the Patton Museum (FT. Knox, KY) relating to Lt. Patton and his part in the capture of Villa.  If I remember, it's the gun Patton used to kill one of Villa's chief Lieutenants.  It MAY be the famous SAA Colt he carried often, but it could be a rifle - I haven't been there since 1987.  The SAA is beautiful - Nickel (or Sterling) plated and fully engraved.  There is also a companion piece he carried - a nice, early model 357 S&W, blued.  He carried MANY different guns, but I think these were the most famous.

(It saddens me to see the light surface rust on these guns - particularly the S&W - I wish they'd let me lovingly oil up these historical pieces properly, so they don't get any worse!  Anyone here know anyone I could talk to in the Museum department?  I'd do it for free!)

I saw recently the movie about Villa starring Jimmy Smits.  I don't know how accurate it was/is but it's a decent movie and points out that recent events have allowed Villa to be honoured, unlike 50 years ago or more.

[St. George]

The most you can do about Patton's personal revolvers at the Museum is to mention it to them.

They have trained museum technicians to do that sort of thing - and dismantling a display that's as popular as that one would take some time to do, since the Museum seldom closes.

They're the ones he always carried - a silver-plated, engraved 4 3/4" Colt SAA bought when he served with Black Jack Pershing - and a 3 1/2" S&W .357 Magnum - an engraved 'Registered' one, that he referred to as his 'killing pistol', should it be needed.

He went to the older Colt after he'd had an accidental discharge with his M1911 - brought on, most likely by an undue lightening of the trigger (popular at the time for a 'fine' trigger pull).

The leather is all S.D. Myers-made - and of the same length, so they'd show identically when photographed.

The movie - 'And Starring Pancho Villa As Himself' (with Antonio Banderas) -  shows perhaps the earliest version of filmed propaganda, since his exploits were captured for posterity by Frank Thayer - but make no mistake about his being 'honored' - Villa was utterly ruthless and cruel towards those who opposed him - and by today's standards he'd be a terrorist.

'La Revolucion' was a brutal 'little war' - fought in inhospitable terrain, and we had a part of it, when Villa 'invaded' this country.

No doubt 'that' is a salient reason for his popularity...

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Montana Slim]

Patton related weapon's on display include his personal firearms in a glass case. There is also a display featuring the story of his shootout and the rifle, revolver, saddle, etc he claimed a trophies from the shootout.

I have photos or digitals from the museum.... somewhere. If I can locate them, I'll post a couple.

I have had the opportunity to go behind the glass at several museums, by appointment, and handle/examine a number of historic firearms. In some cases I also spent some time educating museum staff about their collection. Most have been receptive to the offers of information. These folks are often first to see budget cuts too, and have little help beyond volunteers. So, you should definitely offer your assistance when you feel the need.

best,
Slim

Slim

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Patton related weapon's on display include his personal firearms in a glass case. There is also a display featuring the story of his shootout and the rifle, revolver, saddle, etc he claimed a trophies from the shootout.

I have photos or digitals from the museum.... somewhere. If I can locate them, I'll post a couple.

I have had the opportunity to go behind the glass at several museums, by appointment, and handle/examine a number of historic firearms. In some cases I also spent some time educating museum staff about their collection. Most have been receptive to the offers of information. These folks are often first to see budget cuts too, and have little help beyond volunteers. So, you should definitely offer your assistance when you feel the need.

best,
Slim

Slim

Who do you see about volunteering and HOW do you prove to them you're not a crank just trying to get hold of "the goodies"?

[Dr. Bob]

If it is a large museum they may have a Volunteer Coordinator.  If it is a small museum, the Director or Curator would probably be the person to ask.  I most any museum, you can ask the person that greets you/sells you admission and they will probably be happy to direct you to the correct person.

The 3 places that I volunteer around here are:

National WWI Museum.  They have a Volunteer coordinator, a formal training program and name badges.

Frontier Army Museum.    The museum director is the person who authorizes volunteers.  It is the highest rated Army Museum.
                                    He is a re-enactor with a museum degree. 

Fort Osage NHL               This is a county park.  The site administrator is the one to see.  They have formal training, but not site
                                     specific. 

You just need to go there and ask who you need to talk to.  I find it very rewarding!

BTW,  this morning I got a call asking if I would attend the upcoming Gala in my WWI uniform.  I said yes.  I was planning to spend the $150 to go, but for spending 4 hours in Uniform and answering questions [Is that wool?  Is it hot? Etc.] i will get in free!   I do this for the event's coordinator and I was the first one called.  I get quite a few free meals that way.

I bee in de rite place at de rite time!!

[Deadeye Don]

So is it wool?  It must be hot if it is wool right?  Does it itch?         Sounds like a good time for you.  I think anytime you can teach people about history it would have to be a great time.