Over a century after the death of notorious Wild West outlaw Jesse James, the gunslinger’s Colt .45 revolver is going up for auction and is expected to sell for more than $1.6 million.
The revolver is steeped in history and has been well documented since it left Jesse James’ hands after he was assassinated in 1882 by Robert Ford, a member of his own gang. The weapon’s story is nearly as interesting as the man who owned it, and more than 130 years after his death, the Colt. 45 will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.
The infamous outlaw’s weapon is highly coveted by gun collectors and while the bidding is set to start at $400,000, the price is expected to rise into the millions.
“Jesse James is the ultimate Western outlaw and this gun is the holy grail for collectors,” said Tom Slater, Americana expert at Heritage Auctions. “He often took guns from the people he robbed so there’s every chance this gun didn’t start out life as his.”
After Jesse James died, his gun was passed down to his son, Jesse James Jr., who in 1923 kept the weapon in a display case in the back of his car and charged people a quarter to view it.
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